Intro/Drugs & Behavior

Drug

A chemical substance that is taken into the body and alters physiological function, excluding necessary nutrients, and is intended to be taken.

Instrumental Use

The use of a drug with a specific behavior goal in mind, such as sleep, wakefulness, or lowering blood pressure.

Recreational Use

The use of a drug to achieve a pleasurable or psychological state, or to achieve a different state of mind.

Drug Toxicity

The physical and psychological harm that a drug may present to the user in the short period after ingestion.

Dose-Response Curve

The relationship between the dosage of a drug and the response it produces in the body.

Effective Dose 50 (ED50)

The drug dosage that produces an effective response in 50% of the sample.

Effective Dose 99 (ED99)

The drug dosage that produces an effective response in 99% of the sample.

Lethal Dose 50 (LD50)

The drug dosage that produces a lethal response in 50% of the sample.

Lethal Dose 99 (LD99)

The drug dosage that produces a lethal response in 99% of the sample.

Therapeutic Index

The ratio of the lethal dose to the effective dose of a drug, indicating its toxicity.

Margin of Safety

The amount of a drug that would be effective for 99% of the population to incur a 1% chance of dying.

Drug Tolerance

The ability of a drug dose to gradually diminish its effect on the user as the drug is taken repeatedly.

Physical Dependence

The development of physical symptoms during withdrawal from a drug, indicating a normal part of the physiological environment.

Psychological Dependence

The attempt to avoid withdrawal difficulties and feed the craving or desire for a drug.

Substance Dependence

Significant signs of a dependent relationship upon a drug.

Substance Abuse

The continued use of a drug despite the creation of specific problems for the user, both physical and psychological.

Behavioral Tolerance

The environment the user is in can impact tolerance.

Metabolic Tolerance

over time the liver can increase the breakdown of a drug if taken regularly.

Cellular Tolerance

Receptors will up-regulate (increase receptor #) or down-regulate (decrease receptor #) if too little or too much drug is taken over time.