Your Brain on Drugs (Legal & Illicit)

Psychopharmacology (from Greek ψῡχή, psȳkhē, 'breath, life, soul'; φάρμακον, pharmakon, 'drug'; and -λογία, -logia) is the scientific study of the effects drugs have on mood, sensation, thinking, and behavior. The term "psychopharmacology" was likely first coined by David Macht in 1920. Psychopharmacology is particularly instructive insofar as it helps drive more integrated approaches to mental disorders, advancing our knowledge of underlying psychobiological mechanisms and their response to multimodal treatments.

This course covers the essentials of psychopharmacology, including the principles of drug actions in the nervous system and describes the effects of drugs on behavioral variables. Phenomena related to drug tolerance, abuse, and dependence, including the processes behind these phenomena as well as treatments and interventions involved in dealing with them are discussed. The curriculum includes drugs that are used in recreational and clinical settings to treat psychiatric disorders, like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders.

The course uses engaging lectures to walk the learner through psychopharmacology essentials. Basics about the nervous system, neurotransmitters, and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics frame lectures on various substances of abuse and their effects. The course closes with a more clinical focus on the use of pharmacology in addressing common psychiatric illnesses.

For this reason, the course will be of interest to those within psychology, nursing, social work, healthcare, and the general public who use these drugs/medications.