drugs and medicine - science

• What are medicines used for?

  To treat or prevent disease
• What is a drug?

  A chemical affecting cell reactions
• What are recreational drugs taken for?

  For their enjoyable effects
• What are the effects of stimulants on the body?

  • Increased alertness
  • Faster reaction speed
  • Higher heart rate/blood pressure
  • Reduced appetite
• What are the effects of depressants on the body?

  • Slowed reactions
  • Decreased inhibitions
  • Brain cell damage
  • Relaxation of users
• Which organ system is most affected by drugs?

  The nervous system
• What are the types of drugs mentioned?

  • Stimulant
  • Depressant
  • Painkiller
  • Hallucinogen
• What effect do stimulants have on impulse transfer?

  They speed up transfer of impulses
• What effect do depressants have on impulse transfer?

  They slow down transfer of impulses
• What do painkillers do?

  They block pain receptors in the brain
• What do hallucinogens do?

  They warp your perceptions
• What type of drug would you use to stay awake while driving?

  Stimulant
• What type of drug would help you sleep?

  Depressant
• Name a legal depressant.

  Alcohol
• Name a legal stimulant.

  Coffee
• Name an illegal stimulant.

  Cocaine
• Name an illegal hallucinogen.

  LSD or ecstasy
• What are the key aspects tested in new drugs?

  • Efficacy: effectiveness in treatment
  • Toxicity: safety and side effects
  • Stability: storage capability
  • Dosage: effective concentration
• What is a placebo?

  A medicine without the active drug
• What is the placebo effect?

  Health improvement without real treatment
• What is a double-blind trial?

  Neither doctor nor patient knows treatment
• Why use a placebo and double-blind trial?

  To remove bias and ensure valid results