- Oct 2023
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Bupropion is a third type of antidepressant
different type of antidepressant
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Antidepressants are medications commonly used to treat depression.
anti-depressant
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socialsci.libretexts.org socialsci.libretexts.org
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Differentiate the potential contributing factors for drug misuse and abuse of commonly abused drugs.
Factors contributing to drug misuse and abuse include genetic susceptibility, environmental influences such as peer pressure, and psychological factors like mental health issues. These factors often interact and may be compounded by early exposure, socioeconomic disadvantages, and the availability of drugs. Prevention and treatment should address this multifaceted interplay to mitigate drug misuse and addiction.
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Describe the desired and adverse effects of commonly abused drugs
Commonly Abused Drugs:
Alcohol: Euphoria, liver damage, addiction. Tobacco/Nicotine: Relaxation, addiction, health risks. Prescription Medications: Varied effects. Cannabis: Euphoria, memory issues, mental health risks. Cocaine: Euphoria, heart problems, addiction.
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Identify the specific types of drugs which are commonly misused and abused
Alcohol Tobacco/Nicotine Prescription Medications Illicit Drugs
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socialsci.libretexts.org socialsci.libretexts.org
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Certain drugs, including opioids and alcohol, cause strong physical reactions in the body when drug use stops.
withdraw
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Differentiate the actions of drugs of abuse in terms of their neurotransmitter effects, neuroanatomy of action, and abuse potential
Drugs of Abuse: Neurotransmitter Effects: Stimulants: Boost dopamine. Depressants: Enhance GABA. Opioids: Bind to opioid receptors. Hallucinogens: Disrupt serotonin. Abuse Potential: Stimulants: High. Depressants: Moderate to high. Opioids: High. Hallucinogens: Lower.
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Describe the neural mechanisms of addiction, including the role of key neurotransmitters (dopamine & endorphins), brain structures & circuits, and genetics
Addiction's Neural Mechanisms: Dopamine and endorphins are neurotransmitters that cause addiction by providing pleasure and reinforcement. Key brain structures include the mesolimbic pathway, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala. Addiction vulnerability is influenced by genetic variables that influence neurotransmitter function and drug metabolism.
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Define addiction (substance use disorder) in terms of changes in behavior, emotion, and cognition.
Substance Use Disorder (Addiction): Compulsion, loss of control, and yearning are all symptoms of compulsive usage. Emotions include mood swings, anxiety, and anhedonia. Decision-making and memory are impaired. Addiction is a chronic illness caused by changes in the brain's reward and control systems caused by drug use.
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inhalation (i.e., smoking or gaseous anesthesia) and intravenous (IV) in which the drug is injected directly into the vein and hence the blood supply.
Two of the most rapid routes of administration
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A - Administration and Absorption (how the drug gets into the blood), D - Distribution (how the drug gets to the organ of interest – in this case, the brain), M - Metabolism (how the drug is broken down so it no longer exerts its psychoactive effects), and E - Elimination (how the drug leaves the body).
acronym ADME
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Pharmacokinetics refers to how the body processes drugs as they enter the body.
definition of Pharmacokinetics
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Differentiate the major structures of the mesolimbic, "reward" pathway and the role of dopamine in its function.
Dopamine and the Mesolimbic "Reward" Pathway: VTA, NAc, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala are important regions. Dopamine's functions include pleasure, reinforcement, and motivation. Addiction and mood disorders are potential consequences.
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Describe the key elements of pharmacodynamics, particularly drug effects on steps of synaptic transmission and major neural circuitry
Pharmacodynamics: It's about how drugs affect the body by changing neurotransmitter activity, influencing neural systems and functions. Understanding this helps predict drug effects and therapeutic use.
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Compare and contrast the various drug administration methods in terms of potency, latency of action, and abuse potential.
Oral: Slower, lower abuse potential. IV/Inhalation: Faster, higher abuse potential. Other Routes: Varying characteristics.
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Describe the key elements of pharmacokinetics and their relationship to drug action.
Pharmacokinetics primarily deals with four major characteristics of drug action: Absorption: The process by which a medication enters the body. Distribution refers to how the medicine travels throughout the body. Metabolism is the process by which the body transforms the medication. Elimination: The process by which the medication is removed from the body. These processes have an impact on a drug's efficacy, longevity, and potential side effects.
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cannabis, ethanol, opioids, and stimulants such as nicotine, amphetamine, or cocaine.
recreational drug examples
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For example, you may have been prescribed a drug to treat anxiety or depression or an opioid, drug such as codeine for pain (most likely in the form of Tylenol with added codeine). You may also use nonprescription psychoactive drugs, such as caffeine for mental alertness or cannabis (CBD or Marijuana) to treat pain or anxiety.
real life example of how you have been prescribed psychoactive drugs before.
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Agonists are drugs that mimic or increase the activity of particular neurotransmitters. They might act by promoting the synthesis of the neurotransmitters, reducing their reuptake from synapses, or mimicking their action by binding to receptors for the neurotransmitters. Antagonists are drugs that decrease the activity of particular neurotransmitters. They might act by interfering with the synthesis of the neurotransmitters or by blocking their receptors so the neurotransmitters cannot bind to them.
Agonists & Antagonists definition / how they act
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a drug changes the way you feel, think, or behave it is often doing so by acting on your brain and other parts of your nervous system. We call these psychoactive drugs,
psychoactive drugs
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example, the pharmacological treatment of certain neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's disease tells us something about the disease itself.
example of pharmacological treatment
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Psychopharmacology is the study of how drugs affect how we think, feel, or behave most often through their actions on the nervous system.
Defintion of Pychopharmacology
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Differentiate drug types based on their neurochemical effects on neurotransmission and behavioral impacts.
Stimulants increase energy but can cause anxiety and addiction. Depressants: Cause relaxation, however there is a risk of dependence. Opioids: They relieve pain but have a high risk of addiction and overdose. Hallucinogens: These drugs alter perception and can result in unusual experiences. Antidepressants: Treat depression without causing euphoria or addiction. Antipsychotic medications are used to treat psychotic symptoms. Anxiolytics: Reduce anxiety, but long-term usage can lead to dependence.
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Explain the criteria for psychoactive drugs and the various types of classification systems.
Psychoactive Drug Criteria: Psychoactive medicines influence brain function and are classed according to their legal status, method of action, therapeutic usage, chemical structure, dependence potential, and other factors. Classification Techniques: Various systems categorize psychoactive drugs based on these criteria, assisting in their organization and regulation.
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Describe the general principles of psychopharmacology.
Neurochemical Effects: Drugs impact brain chemistry and neurotransmitters. Specific Targeting: Medications are designed to affect specific brain systems. Dosing and Side Effects: Finding the right dose range while managing side effects is vital. Individual Variability: People's responses to drugs can vary. Interactions and Ethics: Consider drug interactions and ethical considerations in treatment. Long-Term Impact: Assess potential long-term effects of medication use.
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socialsci.libretexts.org socialsci.libretexts.org
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When looking at nature, it is important to ask why things in nature have the properties that they do. This is especially important when thinking about organisms. Why do organisms possess the traits that they do? Why do birds have feathers?
When we observe nature, it's crucial to question why organisms have certain properties. For example, birds have feathers for various reasons, including flight, insulation, and display during courtship. These traits have evolved over time to help them survive and thrive in their environments.
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Why do humans and other animals move, why do they have particular mental capabilities and not others, and what laws or principles govern the organization of behavior and mental processes?
Animals move for survival and humans have specific mental capabilities due to evolution. Psychologists study behavior and mental processes.
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Biopsychology is the study of biological mechanisms of behavior and mental processes.
definition of biopsychology
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