Antipsychotics are a class of drug that alleviate the symptoms of schizophrenia. Typical antipsychotics relieve positive symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations and delusions by the antagonism of dopamine D2 receptors. Atypical antipsychotics (atypical neuroleptics) reduce negative symptoms of schizophrenia such as the impairment or loss of behavior, by  dopaminergic activity and additional non-dopaminergic actions.

Antipsychotics relieve schizophrenia

Antidepressants are a class of drug that relieve the symptoms of depression. Tricyclic antidepressants act by increasing the synaptic accumulation of serotonin and norepinephrine. New antidepressant drug classes include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) that both work to block the reuptake of transmitters. 

Antidepressants reducing chronic mood problems

Anxiolytics are a class of substances that depress/reduce nervous system activity known as depressants and are are used to combat anxiety. Barbiturate drugs ("downers") are a powerful sedative anxiolytic and have dangerous addiction and overdose potential. Benzodiazepine agonists are a class of anti anxiety drugs that bind to sites on GABA A receptors to reduce anxiety symptoms. 

Anxiolytics combat anxiety

Morphine is the major active substance in opium, a heterogeneous extract, is a very effective analgesic. Opiates such as morphine, heroin, and codeine bind to one of the three opioid receptors: delta, kappa, and/or mu opioid receptors. 

Opiates potently relieve pain

Some major categories of psychoactive drugs impact and affect behavior: 
- antipsychotics relieve schizophrenia
- antidepressants reduce chronic mood problems
- anxiolytics combat anxiety
- opiates relieve pain

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Drug Effects 

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

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

A condition in which, with repeated exposure to a drug, an individual becomes less responsive to a constant dose. 
 
- Metabolic tolerance 
- Functional tolerance 
- Behavioral Tolerance
- Cross-tolerance 
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Sensitization 


Drug tolerance

The amount of drug that reaches the brain and the speed with which is starts acting are determined in part by the drug's route of administration. 
- bioavailable
- biotransformation
- pharmacokinetics
- blood brain barrier

Drugs are administered and eliminated in many different ways

May result from single-agent drugs but are more likely to occur when multiple agents that have side effects/risk are administered together 

Drug-Induced Neurologic Conditions 


Neuroactive drugs used to ease the symptoms of injury or psychiatric illness

Some of the major classes of neuroactive drugs that modify consciousness include: 
- cannabinoids 
- stimulants
- hallucinogenics 

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