- Drug molecules spread throughout the body 
- When drug molecules contact a receptor with the same shape, the two molecules bind together and create a chain of events 
- Lock (receptor) and key (drug molecules) action 
- Binding is usually temporary 
- When the drug leaves the receptor, the receptor returns to its unbound shape and normal functioning 

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- Medicine used in the treatment of a disease 
- Examples include psychoactive drugs which alter functions of the brain and affect conscious experiences

Drug 

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

Drug and Receptor Interaction 

- Binding affinity (where it binds to) and intrinsic activity (what it does) determines the action of a drug
- Drugs may bind strongly or weakly to receptors or not bind to any receptors at all 
- Drug molecules that affects more than one kind of receptor have more than one action in the body 
- Drugs exhibit dose response relationships 

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