ADDICTION (physical). A drug-induced change in a person such that the continued presence of the drug is required to function normally and to prevent the occurrence of a withdrawal syndrome.
ADRENERGIC. Refers to nerves, receptors or actions that involve the release of epinephrine or NE. Most postganglionic sympathetic nerve fibers are adrenergic.
AGONIST. A drug that binds to and stimulates a receptor to produce a pharmacological effect.
ANTAGONIST. A drug or chemical that blocks the action of an agonist.
ALCOHOL. Used without qualification, means ethyl alcohol (ethanol), the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages.
ALKALOID. An alkaline, nitrogen-containing chemical obtained from a plant. Many alkaloids are useful drugs.
ANDROGEN. Male sex hormones (such as testosterone), or any masculinizing substance.
ANORETIC. An appetite-suppressant drug used in weight control; also termed anorexic.
APHRODISIAC. Any substance that arouses the sexual instinct.
BARBITURATE. A unique chemical class of drugs used for their sedative or sleep-inducing pharmacologic properties.
BETA-BLOCKER. A drug capable of competing with beta-adrenergic receptor-stimulating agents for avaialble receptor sites.
BETA RECEPTOR. An adrenergic drug receptor that responds to epinephrine and to blocking agents such as propranolol.
BUMMER. A bad trip (experience) with a psychedelic such as LSD.
CATECHOLAMINE. a neurotransmitter in the body having the dihydrophenethylamine chemical structure. Examples are epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine.
CHOLINERGIC. Refers to nerves that use acetylcholine as their synaptic transmitter.
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. A drug or chemical regulated under the federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970 as amended. The key criterion for controlling a substance is its potential for abuse and dependence. Most or all States have enacted a similar law.
CNS. Central Nervous System, i.e., the brain and spinal cord.
DIURETIC. A drug or substance that increases the formation and excretion of urine.
DRUG DEPENDENCE. The physical or psychological state in which the user requires the usual or increasing dose of the drug to prevent the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms.
EMBRYO. The developing creature in the uterus during the first trimester of pregnancy. Embryonic tissue is more susceptible to teratogenic agents than fetal tissue.
ESTROGEN. A female sex hormone. Occur naturally, (e.g., estradiol) or in certain plants.
FREE BASING. Use of the more volatile non-salt form of an alkaloid drug, either by inhalation or injection. Cocaine can exist as the hydrochloride salt or as the nitrogenous base, freed of its salt.
HALF LIFE. The time (usually in hours) required for one-half the dose of a drug to be excreted from the body.
HALLUCINATION. The perception of an object, sound or other external stimulus in its absence. Can be drug induced.
HEAD. A heavy abuser of drugs. Head shops are stores specializing in the paraphernalia of drug use.
METABOLITE. Any substance produced by the body as a result of normal functioning, including beakdown products of drugs.
MORNING AFTER PILL. A drug taken shortly after sexual intercourse to prevent implantation of any fertilized ovum and thus prevent pregnancy.
NEUROTRANSMITTER. A chemical released from the end of one nerve to carry the nerve impulse across the synapse to the next berve. Examples are epi, norepi and acetylcholine.
PHARMACOLOGY. The science that deals with the sources, body distribution, effects and detoxification of drugs.
PLACEBO. A pharnacologically inactive substance given to satisfy a patient's demand, or to test the true effectiveness of an experimental drug.
PLASMA. Blood from which the formed elements (red and white blood cells and platelets) have been removed.
PPA. Phenylpropanolamine, an adrenergic drug used as a decongestant, CNS stimulant and anorexic. Potentially dangerous.
PSYCHEDELIC. A drug that produces visual hallucinations or intensified perception.
PSYCHOACTIVE. Having an effect upon the mind or behavior.
PSYCHOTOMIMETIC. Having an effect resembling that seen in psychoses, that is, hallucinations and distortions of perception.
RECEPTOR SITE. Specialized cells in a body tissue to which a drug or chemical binds to exert its pharmacological effect.
STEROID. A fat-like substance containing a unique fused four-ring carbon system. Examples: cholesterol. sex hormones, hydrocortisone.
SYNDROME.All of the signs and symptoms associated with a disease.
SYNERGISM. The mutual potentiation of two or more drugs such that their joint pharmacological effect is greater than the sum of their effects when the drugs are taken singly.
TERATOGEN. A drug or agent capable of causing birth defects by its action on the embryo or fetus.
TOLERANCE. The need for increasing doses of a drug to produce the original effect. The cause is the resistance built up by chronic use.
UPPERS. CNS stimulants.
WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME (Abstinence Syndrome). A crisis, with varying degree of physical and emotional severity, that can accompany the abrupt removal of a drug on which the person has become dependent.The heroin w.s. is well known.