Basic Neurochemistry of Psychoactive Drugs
Terminology:
Neurochemistry is the specific study of neurochemicals, which include neurotransmitters and other molecules such as neuro-active drugs that influence neuron function. This principle closely examines the manner in which these neurochemicals influence the network of neural operation. This evolving area of neuroscience offers a neurochemist a micro-macro connection between the analysis of organic compounds active in the nervous system and neural processes such as cortical plasticity, neurogenesis, and neural differentiation.
Neuropharmacology is concerned with drug-induced changes in the functioning of cells in the nervous system. Within the discipline of neuropharmacology there are two branches, behavioral and molecular. Neuropharmacology is that branch of neuroscience,which deals with the study of drug-induced changes in the functioning of cells in the nervous system. Neuropharmacology is concerned with the study of the neurochemical interactions of neuropeptides, neurohormones, neuromodulators, enzymes, secondary messenger systems of the central nervous system, co-transporters, ion channels, receptor proteins, and more.
Neuropsychopharmacology, the branch of neuropharmacology interested in the biological basis of mind, is an especially active area of neuropharmacology research.
Research:
The Neuropharmacology of Hallucinogens
The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review
E-Books:
Basic Neurochemistry: Molecular, Cellular, and Medical Aspects - Siegel, George J.; Agranoff, Bernard W.; Albers, R. Wayne; Fisher, Stephen K.; Uhler, Michael D., editors. Philadelphia: Lippincott,Williams & Wilkins; c1999
