PSYC62H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Infant, Beta Blocker, Catabolism
Document Summary
Psychological effects of a drug dependent on: Particular course of drug activation in cns. Drug - chemical that affects one/more biological processes. Endogenous substances - chemicals originating/produced within an organism that are used to carry out normal biological functions in the body. Pharmacological perspective - a drug is nonfood, nonmechanical substance (usually a chemical substance) that exerts an effect upon a living system. Organic phase - chemistry of carbon-based sub like hydrocarbons, immiscible with water. Another significant barrier is the bbb - tight junctions between the endothelial cells that compose the outer lining of the blood vessels. Significant resistance to drug entry and other brain subs. Very particular - subtle changes in chemical structure can yield substantial difference in passage across bbb. Ethanol has both aqueous and organic properties, easily passes into the brain. Vs. thc that is highly lipid-soluble, passes bbb but unlike ethanol it does not rapidly metabolize so depositing itself in adipose tissue for long periods.
