Definition and Classification of Drugs
- A drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism's physiology.
- Drugs are distinguished from food and other substances that provide nutritional support.
- Drugs can be consumed through inhalation, injection, smoking, ingestion, absorption, or dissolution.
- In pharmacology, drugs are known for their known structure and ability to produce a biological effect.
- Pharmaceutical drugs are used to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose diseases and promote well-being.
- Pharmaceutical drugs can be used for a limited duration or on a regular basis for chronic disorders.
- Drugs are classified into drug classes based on their chemical structures, mechanism of action, and mode of action.
- The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (ATC) assigns drugs a unique code for specific drug classes.
- The Biopharmaceutics Classification System categorizes drugs based on solubility and absorption properties.
- Drug classification systems help in organizing and understanding the properties and uses of different drugs.
Psychoactive Drugs
- Psychoactive drugs affect the central nervous system, altering perception, mood, or consciousness.
- Psychoactive drugs are divided into groups such as stimulants, depressants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, and hallucinogens.
- These drugs have been proven useful in treating various medical conditions, including mental disorders.
- The most widely used psychoactive drugs include caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
- Some psychoactive drugs are used for recreational purposes, providing pleasure rather than medicinal benefits.
Etymology of the Word 'Drug'
- The English noun 'drug' is believed to originate from Old French and Middle Dutch.
- The term possibly refers to medicinal plants preserved as dry matter in barrels.
- The word may have originated from an early romanized form of the Al-Andalus language.
- The possible transcription of the term is 'حطروكة' or 'hatruka.'
- The etymology of the word 'drug' has multiple possible origins.
Spiritual and Religious Use of Drugs
- Some religions, particularly ethnic religions, incorporate the use of entheogens, which are mostly hallucinogens.
- Entheogens, such as kava, ayahuasca, and Salvia divinorum, are used to achieve religious ecstasy.
- Shamans from various cultures use entheogens for spiritual healing and visionary states of consciousness.
- Peyote, cannabis, and psychedelic mushrooms have also been used for their entheogenic properties.
- Rastafari use marijuana (ganja) as a sacrament in their religious ceremonies.
Administration and Control of Drugs
- Drugs can be administered through various routes, such as intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous injection.
- Inhalation, either through smoking or vaping, is another route of administration.
- Drugs can also be taken orally, rectally, or sublingually.
- Topical administration, through creams or ointments, can act locally or systemically.
- Vaginal administration is primarily used for treating vaginal infections.
- Governments have offices responsible for the control and supervision of drug manufacture and use.
- International treaties, like the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, prohibit the use of narcotics.
- The Convention on Psychotropic Substances addresses newer recreational drugs.
- Different countries have varying legal status for specific drugs like Salvia divinorum.
- Regulatory agencies like the FDA in the US and the NCB in India play a role in drug control.
Drug Data Sources
Reference | URL |
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Glossary | https://www.alternix.com/blogs/glossary-of-terms/drug |
Wikipedia | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug |
Wikidata | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8386 |
Knowledge Graph | https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/02kjb_ |