| 1 |
Introduction to the brain:
Synapses, action potentials, and the neurotransmitters glutamate, GABA, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine
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| 2 |
The autonomic nervous system:
The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions
Vasoconstrictors and vasodilators, sexual function, nasal decongestants, nitroglycerine
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| 3 |
The action potential:
Alcohol, epilepsy, anticonvulsants, shock therapies (insulin, metrazol, and electroconvulsive therapy), and local anesthetics
Alcohol antagonists
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| 4 |
Big molecules:
Key concepts: G-protein coupled receptors, transport proteins, and metabolic enzymes
Illustrated with examples: antidepressant mechanisms, nerve gas
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| 5 |
Pharmacokinetics:
The absorption, distribution within the body, metabolism, and excretion of drugs
Topics include: the blood-brain barrier, why crack is so addictive, drug tests, imaging drugs and neurotransmitters within the brain
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| 6 |
Emotions:
Anxiety, depression, bipolar, and related psychiatric diseases
All about benzodiazepines (partial and selective agonists, inverse agonists, dependence and withdrawal, parallels with barbiturates)
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| 7 |
Addiction |
| 8 |
Psychosis:
Schizophrenia and antipsychotics
Psychotomimetics (drugs that make you psychotic):
Psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, mescaline), stimulants (amphetamines and cocaine), anticholinergics (scopolamine, Benadryl, herbs), NMDA antagonists (PCP, ketamine, cough syrup), and related drugs (MDMA, alphabet soup drugs, ayahuasca)
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| 9 |
Diseases:
Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ADHD, Tourette's, tardive dyskinesia
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| 10 |
Pain:
General anesthetics: inhalants, drugs that paralyze, and drugs that erase memory
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| 11 |
Sleep:
Sleep architecture, narcolepsy, sleepwalking (and other parasomnias), cataplexy
Related drugs: GHB, modafinil, melatonin, benzodiazepines
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| 12 |
Fun surprise |