Psychopharmacology

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary from the lecture on psychopharmacology, including definitions for various terms related to drugs and their effects on the body.

Drug

any non-required substance that changes the body or its functioning

Psychoactive drugs

Substances that have psychological effects, such as anxiety relief or hallucinations.

Pharmacokinetics

The process by which drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in the body.

Pharmacodynamic

The study of how a drug affects the body, including the biological and physiological responses it produces and how it works at its target sites.

Agonist

A substance that mimics or enhances the action of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist

A substance that blocks or decreases the action of a neurotransmitter.

Drug experiences - Set

Psychological makeup and expectations which influence how an individual perceives and reacts to a drug.

Drug experiences - Setting

The social/physical/cultural environment. 

Drug Experiences - Individual Differences 

Body chemistry, genetics, previous drug experience’s physiological effects.

SSRI

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, a class of drugs that increase serotonin by inhibiting its reuptake.

Tolerance

A decrease in the effectiveness of a drug that occurs when it is administered repeatedly.

Withdrawal

Negative reaction that occurs when the drug is stopped, typically opposite to the drug's effects.

Serotonin (5-HT)

A neurotransmitter affecting mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter involved in muscle memory, learning, and memory.

Dopamine (DA)

A neurotransmitter that influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion.

6 Types of Tolerance - Dispositional (metabolic)

An increase in drug metabolism, drug will not reach the same level or last as long: less drug reaches site of action

6 Types of Tolerance - Functional Tolerance

CNS becomes less sensitive to noticeable drug effects and requires larger doses for the same effect.

Acute drug use

Within a single exposure to a drug

Protracted drug use

Develops over repeated drug use

6 Types of Tolerance - Behavioral / Learned

Learned compensation for the drug’s effects in situations - conditioned to behave as if no effect is taking place

6 Types of Tolerance - Cross

If the drugs share the same mechanism, tolerance crosses over to similar drugs

6 Types of Tolerance - Mixed (differential)

Tolerance to only some of the drug’s effects while sensitivity to others may remain unchanged.

6 Types of Tolerance - Reverse

Increased sensitivity develops with repeated use 

Addiction

A condition characterized by preoccupation with a drug and compulsive use despite adverse consequences.

Physical - Dependence

Cessation of drug-taking leads to intense physiological disturbances

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Depressants

Effects: Slow down CNS activity - Relaxation, reduced anxiety, drowsiness, sedation, anxiolytic, hypnotic

Depressants (examples)

Alcohol, Baribturates, Benzodiazepines

Stimulants

Effect: Speed up CNS activity - Alertness, energy, euphoria, anoretic

Stimuants (examples)

Caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines

Hallucinogens (Psychedelics)

Effect: Perceptual distortion, thought, and mood; may cause hallucinations

Hallucinogens (examples)

Example: PCP, LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, DMT

Cannabinoids

Effect: Can act as a depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogen depending on dose/strain. Alters mood, memory, appetite and perception.

Cannabinoids (examples)

Marijuana, CBD, THC concentrates, synthetic

Narcotics 

Effects: Pain relief (analgesic), intense euphoria, sedation, euphoria

Narcotics (examples)

Opioids/Opiates, morphine, codeine, heroin, fentanyl

Placebo

An inert substance given to control for the effects of mere drug administration.

Enviromental Factors

Components of the physical, social, and cultural environment that impact drug use.

Adenosine

A suppresses signaling in the brain, known to have effects on sleep regulation and sedation.