Drugs

• Drug

  Any substance that has a physiological effect when introduced into the body
• Types of drugs

  • Narcotics
  • Pharmaceuticals/Medicinal drugs
• Narcotic

  A substance that produces a numbing or dulling effect, many are illegal
• Opium

  The dried sap of the poppy plant, historically used in opium dens
• Alkaloid

  A chemical compound containing nitrogen atoms, many narcotics are alkaloids
• Morphine

  The first alkaloid isolated from opium, acts as an analgesic (painkiller) and has potential for addiction
• How morphine works

  1. Binds to opioid receptors

  2. Mimics endorphins

  3. Produces forced physiological response
• Heroin

  Derived from morphine, more potent and addictive narcotic
• Cocaine

  Alkaloid found in coca bush leaves, originally used as an anesthetic
• Cocaine mechanism

  Reuptake inhibitor, causes accumulation of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine
• Cocaine is psychologically addictive due to the reward pathway it activates
• Caffeine

  Alkaloid found in coffee beans, world's most widely consumed psychoactive drug
• Caffeine mechanism

  Stimulates nervous system, inhibits adenosine receptors to reduce drowsiness
• Nicotine

  Alkaloid found in tobacco, highly toxic, binds to acetylcholine receptors
• THC

  Cannabinoid found in marijuana, acts as agonist for cannabinoid receptors
• THC mechanism

  Inhibits adenylate cyclase, reduces cAMP, produces psychological effects
• Psychedelic drugs

  • Psilocybin
  • LSD
  • Mescaline
  • DMT
• Psychedelic drug mechanism

  Predominantly activate serotonin receptors
• Phenylethylamine

  Functional group common to many psychoactive drugs, crucial for modifying nerve cell signaling
• There are mixed opinions and controversy over the benefits and harms of the drugs discussed
• The mechanism of action is the key aspect that can be understood through biochemistry
• Drugs exhibit bioactivity based on their shape and where they fit in the body
• The body can be viewed as a collection of nooks and crannies where small molecules can fit and elicit specific biochemical responses