What makes a drug psychoactive

Defines the objects of the whole course: chemicals from outside the body that change how the brain works.

Where this fitsConnects to 1 · Unlocks 1

Connects to: The synapse: release, binding and termination — Drugs work by imitating or interfering with the brain's own chemicals at the synapse.
Unlocks: The two journeys: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics — Once you know what a drug is, you can follow its two journeys.

Orient

Drug – an exogenous chemical that affects bodily processes. “Exogenous” means it comes from outside the body, as opposed to endogenous chemicals that the body produces itself, such as neurotransmitters and hormones. If a drug has a direct effect on the brain, it is psychoactive. Psychoactive drugs can alter mood, behavior, and consciousness.

Course terms

Your professor's wording, word for word from the slides. Learn the term and this definition — the explanation underneath is only there to help it make sense.

Drug: “Drug – exogenous chemical that affects bodily processes”Slides 01, p. 2
Exogenous = comes from outside the body. Any outside chemical that changes how the body works counts.
Endogenous: “As opposed to endogenous chemicals that affect us which we produce ourselves (e.g., neurotransmitters, hormones)”Slides 01, p. 2
Endogenous = made inside the body. Neurotransmitters and hormones are endogenous; drugs are exogenous. Watch for this contrast with melatonin, a hormone the body makes.
Psychoactive: “If drug has a direct effect on the brain, the drug is psychoactive”Slides 01, p. 2
The slide adds: “Psychoactive drugs can alter mood, behavior, and consciousness.” A drug that only acts on the body isn't psychoactive.
Naturally occurring vs. synthesized: “Many drugs are naturally occurring; many drugs are manmade (synthesized)”Slides 01, p. 2
The slide is explicit: “Nothing about natural drugs makes them “better” or “safer”!”
Brand name vs. generic: “Drugs produced by pharmaceutical companies for sale have brand names for their generic drug chemical”Slides 01, p. 2
e.g., Prozac is Eli Lilly’s brand name for fluoxetine (the generic chemical).

From your course: Course slides 01, p. 2

Tip: the ← and → keys move through the lesson.

Full lesson: Drug and psychoactive terminology