Psychopharmacology is the scientific study of the effects drugs have on mood, sensation, thinking, and behavior. It is distinguished from neuropsychopharmacology, which emphasizes the correlation between drug-induced changes in the functioning of cells in the nervous system and changes in consciousness and behaviorPsychopharmacology is the study of drug-induced changes in mood, thinking, and behavior.

These drugs may originate from natural sources such as plants and animals, or from artificial sources such as chemical syntheses in the laboratory.

These drugs interact with particular target sites or receptors found in the nervous system to induce widespread changes in physiological or psychological functions.

The specific interaction between drugs and their target sites or receptors is referred to as drug action.

The widespread changes in physiological or psychological function is referred to as drug effect.

In psychopharmacology, researchers are interested in a wide range of drug classes such as antidepressants and stimulants.

Drugs are researched for their pharmaceutical properties, physical side effects, and psychological side effects.

Last Updated on: May 20, 2024