Tag: drug
A drug is any chemical substance that when consumed causes a change in an organism’s physiology, including its psychology, if applicable. Drugs are typically distinguished from food and other substances that provide nutritional support. Consumption of drugs can be via inhalation, injection, smoking, ingestion, absorption via a patch on the skin, suppository, or dissolution under the tongue. In pharmacology, a drug is a chemical substance, typically of known structure, which, when administered to a living organism, produces a biological effect. A pharmaceutical drug, also called a medication or medicine, is a chemical substance used to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose a disease or to promote well-being. Traditionally drugs were obtained through extraction from medicinal plants, but more recently also by organic synthesis. Psychoactive drugs are substances that affect the function of the central nervous system, altering perception, mood or consciousness. These drugs are divided into different groups like: stimulants, depressants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, and hallucinogens. These psychoactive drugs have been proven useful in treating wide range of medical conditions including mental disorders around the world. The most widely used drugs in the world include caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, which are also considered recreational drugs, since they are used for pleasure rather than medicinal purposes. All drugs can have potential side effects. Abuse of several psychoactive drugs can cause addiction and/or physical dependence. Excessive use of stimulants can promote stimulant psychosis. Many recreational drugs are illicit and international treaties such as the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs exist for the purpose of their prohibition.
Pharmacodynamics refers to the study of how drugs exert their effects on the body. There are several primary actions that drugs can have on the human body: 1. Agonism: Agonists are drugs that bind to specific receptors in the body and activate them, leading to a biological response. This activationRead more
Pharmacodynamics refers to the study of how drugs exert their effects on the body. There are several primary actions that drugs can have on the human body:
1. Agonism: Agonists are drugs that bind to specific receptors in the body and activate them, leading to a biological response. This activation can mimic the effects of natural substances in the body.
2. Antagonism: Antagonists are drugs that bind to receptors without activating them. Instead, they block the receptor’s activation by other molecules, effectively inhibiting a biological response.
3. Partial Agonism: Partial agonists have properties of both agonists and antagonists. They can activate receptors, but their effects are not as strong as those of full agonists. They can also block the effects of full agonists when present at the same time.
4. Inverse Agonism: Inverse agonists reduce the basal activity of a receptor. Unlike antagonists, which simply block the effects of agonists, inverse agonists actively produce an opposite effect.
5. Desensitization and Downregulation: Prolonged exposure to some drugs can lead to desensitization or downregulation of receptors. This means that the body becomes less responsive to the drug over time, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect.
6. Enzyme Inhibition/Induction: Some drugs can inhibit or induce certain enzymes in the body, affecting the metabolism of other drugs or endogenous compounds.
7. Allosteric Modulation: Allosteric modulators bind to a site on a receptor other than the active site. They can enhance or inhibit the receptor’s response to an agonist.
8. Pharmacogenetics: Genetic variations can influence an individual’s response to drugs. Some people metabolize drugs more quickly or slowly due to genetic factors, which can impact their effectiveness or potential side effects.
9. Tolerance: With prolonged drug use, the body may develop tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. This can lead to a decrease in the drug’s efficacy.
10. Cross-tolerance and Cross-sensitivity: Tolerance to one drug may lead to tolerance to another drug with a similar mechanism of action. Similarly, an allergic reaction to one drug may increase the likelihood of an allergic reaction to another drug with similar structural features.
These actions can vary depending on the specific drug, its target receptors, and its interactions within the body.
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