Psychopharmacology, Recreational Drugs, Tolerance, and Sensitization (Psych 2113 Exam 4)

Psychopharmacology

Study of drugs’ effects on the nervous system

Pharmacokinetics

How drugs move around the body

Pharmacodynamics

Specific body parts affected when taking drugs

Drug Affinity

The strength of the chemical attraction between a drug (or ligand) and its specific receptor on a cell

Drug Efficacy

The maximum response a medication can achieve under ideal, controlled conditions

Direct Agonist

Molecules that bind directly to postsynaptic receptor sites, acting as a ligand that triggers a physiological response

Indirect Agonist

Substances that enhance receptor activity by increasing the amount of neurotransmitter in the synapse or preventing its breakdown

Direct Antagonist

These drugs bind directly to the receptor site (usually postsynaptic) and block the neurotransmitter from activating it

Indirect Antagonist

These drugs reduce the overall effect of a neurotransmitter by interfering with its metabolic processes rather than binding to the receptor directly

Substance Use Disorder

Treatable mental health condition characterized by a problematic pattern of substance use

Dopamine’s relationship with addiction

Involves a neurotransmitter-driven hijacking of the brain’s reward system, where substances or behaviors cause excessive dopamine surges

Alcohol

GABA Receptor Agonist / Glutamate: NMDA Receptor Antagonist

Psychostimulants

Dopamine Agonist (Cocaine Blocks Reuptake of Serotonin, Dopamine, and Norepinephrine)

Nicotine

Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors

Hallucinogens

5-HT2A (Serotonin) Agonist

Siegal Research

Addiction involves a conditioned response to environmental cues (Certain scenes can activate cravings to do drugs)