Abuse and Addiction - Chemical, Biological and Cultural Aspects of Drugs, 02-AACA

The following topics will be presented:1) compounds from the group of stimulants of the central nervous system of natural and synthetic origin: caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine ... 2) cannabis compounds (cannabinoids and terpenoids),3) semi-synthetic hallucinatory and naturally occurring substances in mandrake and fungi, including tropane alkaloids, tryptamine (psilocybe), ergolines (LSD), carbolines (harmaline) and salvinorin A,4) opioids - natural products like morphine, codeine,- semisynthetic: heroin, oxycodone, hydromorphone,- synthetic: fentanyl, phencyclidine.5) depressants of the central nervous system. In this group, tranquillizers (a group of benzodiazepines), hypnotics, as well as alcohol and inhalants, including volatile solvents, will be presented.6) Introduction of the nervous system presenting the principles of the central nervous system (CNS), synapse construction. 7) Influence of the drugs on the CNS, the structure and operation of synapses, receptors and their action with the specific groups of discussed bioactive compounds will be explained.