PSYC 115: Drugs and Behavior - Course Notes

Course Information

  • Course Title: PSYC 115 Drugs and Behavior
  • Instructor: Peter Hickmott
  • Contact: peter.hickmott@ucr.edu
  • Office Hours: Wednesday 10-11 AM, Psych 2111H, and by appointment
  • Discussion Sections:
    • Mondays Psych 2301
    • TAs: Daniel Peixoto, Zachary Kelly, Michael Gilbert
    • Office hours for TAs available

Course Description

  • Focus: Mechanisms of drugs, drug-nervous system interactions, effects of drugs of abuse on behavior and psychological well-being.
  • Textbook: "Drugs and Behavior: An Introduction to Behavioral Psychopharmacology" (7th edition, W.A. McKim and S.D. Hancock), PDF available online.

Academic Policies

  • Support for Students with Disabilities: Contact the instructor and Services for Students with Disabilities Office.
  • Academic Integrity: Violations result in an F for the course and referral to the Dean's Office.

Exams

  • Format: Closed-book, in-person
  • Midterm: 40 questions (40 points), covering first half of class (chapters 1-7)
  • Final: 60 questions (60 points), predominantly covering the second half (40 points) but with some from the first half (20 points).
  • Makeup exams require documentation within 24 hours of missed exam.
  • Discussion section attendance is mandatory (10 points total).

Grading Scale

  • Grades:
    • A: 97-110
    • B: 83-96
    • C: 69-82
    • D: 55-68
  • Plus/Minus Grading: Given in top/bottom 1/3 of each bracket.

Course Outline

  • Week 1: Introduction, Pharmacology (1)
  • Week 2: Behavior (2), Adaptation (3)
  • Week 3: Neurophysiology (4)
  • Week 4: Substance Use (5)
  • Week 5: Alcohol (6)
  • Week 6: Midterm on 5/7
  • Week 7: Caffeine (9)
  • Week 8: Psychomotor Stimulants (10)
  • Week 9: Antidepressants (13)
  • Week 10: Cannabis (14), Bonus Drug?, Wrap-up
  • Final Exam: Monday 6/9 from 8 AM to 11 AM

Recording Lectures

  • Permission required for recording.
  • Recordings for personal use only, not for commercial purposes.

Drug Terminology and Concepts

  • Definition of a Drug: A substance that alters physiology not classified as food or nutrients.
  • Scottish Name Origin: Derived from "drogue", meaning dry powder.
  • Behavior: Involves processing and integrating information, leading to actions.

Types of Drugs

  • Illicit vs. Licit: Legality does not determine potential for misuse.
  • Instrumental use: To achieve specific goals; Recreational use: For pleasure.

Pharmacological Concepts

  • Pharmacodynamics: Effects of drugs on the body.
  • Pharmacokinetics: How the body processes drugs.
  • Drug Names:
    • Chemical Name: Describes molecular structure
    • Generic Name: Common name (e.g., Diazepam)
    • Trade Name: Brand name (e.g., Valium)
  • Dosages: Typically measured in milligrams (mg), adjusted for patient weight.

Dose-Response Relationship

  • Dose-Response Curves: Graphs that show effects of different drug doses.
  • ED50: Effective dose for 50% of individuals.
  • Potency: Strength of a drug's effect at a given concentration.
  • Lethal Dose (LD): Amount of drug causing toxicity or death; important for understanding safety (TI).

Drug Effects and Side Effects

  • Primary Effects: Intended effects (e.g., aspirin for pain relief).
  • Side Effects: Unintended effects (e.g., aspirin as an anti-inflammatory).

Pharmacokinetics - Drug Movement through the Body

  • Absorption: How drugs enter the body.
  • Distribution: How drugs spread throughout the body.
  • Metabolism: Biochemical modification of drugs.
  • Excretion: Removal of drugs from the body (primarily through kidneys).

Routes of Administration

  • Oral: By mouth (per os).
  • Intravenous (IV): Directly into bloodstream (fast absorption).
  • Inhalation: Very quick absorption via lungs.
  • Intranasal: Fast absorption through nasal membranes.
  • Transdermal: Patches delivering drugs through skin.

Blood-Brain Barrier**: Specialized barrier that limits access of substances to the brain; typically favors lipid-soluble molecules.

Drug Metabolism

  • First Pass Metabolism: Initial drug degradation in the liver before reaching systemic circulation.
  • Enzymatic Reactions: Enzyme activity can be affected by various factors impacting drug metabolism (e.g., age, interactions).
  • Therapeutic Window: Range where a drug is effective without adverse effects, depending on individual absorption and elimination rates.
  • Detoxification: Process of making drugs less harmful.

Conclusion

  • Understanding pharmacology involves grasping how drugs interact with the body, potential side effects, and the significance of dosage and method of administration.