What makes a drug psychoactive

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

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

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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.

Términos del curso

Las palabras de tu profesor, tal cual aparecen en las diapositivas. Aprende el término y esta definición; la explicación de abajo solo ayuda a entenderla.

Drug: “Drug – exogenous chemical that affects bodily processes”Diapositivas 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)”Diapositivas 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”Diapositivas 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)”Diapositivas 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”Diapositivas 01, p. 2
e.g., Prozac is Eli Lilly’s brand name for fluoxetine (the generic chemical).

De tu curso: Course slides 01, p. 2

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Lección completa: Drug and psychoactive terminology