PS 261: Drugs, Behavior, and Neuropharmacology

A survey of the neural, pharmacological, and psychological mechanisms of psychoactive drugs. Major topics include principles of pharmacology, basic properties of neurotransmission/ neurophysiology, and physiological and psychological aspects of addiction. Psychotherapeutic drugs (e.g., for depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, ADHD), legal drugs of abuse (e.g., alcohol and nicotine), and illegal drugs of abuse (e.g., methamphetamine, opiates, Hallucinogens, club drugs) are surveyed. Attention is also given to drug development and regulations, the problem of drugs in the workplace and treatment options.