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| [[File:0588Pharmaceutical drugs of the Philippines 06.jpg|Pharmaceutical drugs of the Philippines|thumb]] | | [[File:0588Pharmaceutical drugs of the Philippines 06.jpg|Pharmaceutical drugs of the Philippines|thumb]] |
| [[File:Yaba (Ya ba) drug seized by US Customs.jpg|Yaba (Ya ba) drug seized by US Customs|thumb]] | | [[File:Yaba (Ya ba) drug seized by US Customs.jpg|Yaba (Ya ba) drug seized by US Customs|thumb]] |
| A '''drug''' is a substance which may have [[medicinal]], [[intoxicating]], [[performance-enhancing]], or other effects when taken or put into a human body or the body of another animal, and is not considered a [[food]] or exclusively a food.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drug|title=Drug Definition|publisher=Merriam-Webster}}</ref> The distinction between a drug and a food varies between cultures, and distinctions between drugs and foods and between kinds of drugs are enshrined in laws that vary between jurisdictions and aim to restrict or prevent drug use. Even within a jurisdiction, the status of a substance may be uncertain or contested with respect to both whether it is a drug and how it should be classified if at all. There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in drug control law, government regulations, medicine, and colloquial usage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dea.gov/controlled-substances-act|title=Controlled Substances Act|publisher=Drug Enforcement Administration}}</ref>
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| == Pharmacological drugs ==
| | A '''drug''' is a substance that, when introduced into the body of a human or another animal, produces one or more effects such as medicinal, intoxicating, therapeutic, [[performance-enhancing]], or [[psychoactive]] effects. Drugs are typically distinguished from [[food]] in that they are not consumed primarily for nutritional value, though the distinction between drugs and foods may vary across cultures and contexts. |
| In [[pharmacology]], a drug is "a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pharmacology|title=Pharmacology Definition|publisher=Merriam-Webster}}</ref> Drugs may be prescribed for a limited duration, or on a regular basis for chronic disorders.
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| == Recreational drugs ==
| | The classification and regulation of drugs differ significantly across societies and legal jurisdictions. A substance considered a drug in one country may be regarded as food, a supplement, or even legal in another. As a result, the legal, cultural, and medical definitions of the term "drug" may diverge. |
| [[Recreational drug use]] involves chemical substances that affect the central nervous system, such as [[opioids]] or [[hallucinogen]]s. They may be used for perceived beneficial effects on perception, consciousness, personality, and behavior. Some drugs can cause [[addiction]] and/or [[habituation]].
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| == Natural substances and drugs ==
| | Within a single jurisdiction, there may be debate or ambiguity over whether a substance qualifies as a drug, how it should be regulated, and what purposes its use may serve. This has led to various interpretations under [[drug control law]], [[government regulation]], [[clinical pharmacology]], and [[colloquial usage]]. |
| Many natural substances, such as [[beer]], [[wine]], and [[psychoactive mushroom]]s, blur the line between food and recreational drugs, as when ingested they affect the functioning of both mind and body, and some substances normally considered drugs, such as [[DMT]] (Dimethyltryptamine), are actually produced by the human body in trace amounts.
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| == Etymology == | | == Classification == |
| The term "drug" is thought to originate from Old French "drogue," possibly deriving later into "droge-vate" from Middle Dutch, meaning "dry barrels," referring to medicinal plants preserved in them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/drug|title=Drug Etymology|publisher=Online Etymology Dictionary}}</ref> The transitive verb "to drug" (meaning intentionally administer a substance to someone, often without their knowledge) arose later and invokes the psychoactive rather than medicinal properties of a substance.
| | Drugs can be broadly categorized into several groups based on their function and legal status: |
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| == Medication and medicine ==
| | * '''Medicinal drugs''': Used for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease. These include [[prescription drugs]], [[over-the-counter drugs]], and [[pharmaceutical drugs]]. |
| A [[medication]] or medicine is a drug taken to cure and/or ameliorate any symptoms of an illness or medical condition, or may be used as preventive medicine that has future benefits but does not treat any existing or pre-existing diseases or symptoms. Dispensing of medication is often regulated by governments into three categories—over-the-counter (OTC) medications, which are available in pharmacies and supermarkets without special restrictions; behind-the-counter (BTC), which are dispensed by a pharmacist without needing a doctor's prescription; and prescription-only medicines (POM), which must be prescribed by a licensed medical professional, usually a physician.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-information-consumers/drug-applications-and-approvals|title=Drug Applications and Approvals|publisher=U.S. Food and Drug Administration}}</ref>
| | * '''Recreational drugs''': Substances used for their [[psychoactive]] effects, often without medical justification. Examples include [[alcohol]], [[cannabis]], and certain [[hallucinogens]]. |
| | | * '''Performance-enhancing drugs''': Used to improve physical or mental function, commonly associated with athletics. Examples include [[anabolic steroids]] and certain [[nootropics]]. |
| == Pharmaceutical drugs and patents ==
| | * '''Illicit drugs''': Substances whose production, sale, or possession is prohibited by law. These vary by jurisdiction and include drugs like [[heroin]], [[cocaine]], and [[methamphetamine]]. |
| Many drugs are developed by [[pharmaceutical company|pharmaceutical companies]] and are often patented to give the developer exclusive rights to produce them. Those that are not patented (or with expired patents) are called [[generic drug]]s since they can be produced by other companies without restrictions or licenses from the patent holder.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/generic-drug-facts|title=Generic Drug Facts|publisher=U.S. Food and Drug Administration}}</ref>
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| == Nootropics ==
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| [[Nootropic]]s, also commonly referred to as "smart drugs," are drugs that are claimed to improve human cognitive abilities. Nootropics are used to improve memory, concentration, thought, mood, learning, and many other things. Some nootropics are now being used to treat certain diseases such as [[attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder]], [[Parkinson's disease]], and [[Alzheimer's disease]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5021479/|title=Nootropics: An Overview|publisher=National Center for Biotechnology Information}}</ref>
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| == Recreational drug use and regulation ==
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| Recreational drug use is the use of psychoactive substances to have fun, for the experience, or to enhance an already positive experience. National laws prohibit the use of many different recreational drugs, and medicinal drugs that have the potential for recreational use are heavily regulated. Many other recreational drugs, on the other hand, are legal, widely culturally accepted, and at most have an age restriction on using and/or purchasing them. These include alcohol, tobacco, [[betel nut]], and caffeine products in the West, and in other localized areas of the world, drugs such as [[Khat]] are common.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.who.int/substance_abuse/facts/psychoactives/en/|title=Psychoactive substances|publisher=World Health Organization}}</ref>
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| == Drug administration ==
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| Drugs, both medicinal and recreational, can be administered in a number of ways. Many drugs can be administered in a variety of ways rather than just one, such as by inhalation, injection, insufflation, orally, rectally, sublingually, topically, or vaginally.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-information-consumers/how-drugs-are-developed-and-approved|title=How Drugs are Developed and Approved|publisher=U.S. Food and Drug Administration}}</ref>
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| == Legal status and ongoing debates ==
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| Because of the legal status of many drugs, recreational drug use is controversial, with many governments not recognizing spiritual or other perceived uses for drugs and classifying them under illegal recreational use. The discussion surrounding the legality, regulation, and classification of various drugs is ongoing in many countries, with different approaches being taken to address public health concerns, addiction, and recreational use.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/drug-prevention-and-treatment/standards-and-norms.html|title=Drug Prevention and Treatment Standards and Norms|publisher=United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime}}</ref>
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| == Therapeutic use of previously prohibited substances ==
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| In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the potential therapeutic uses of previously prohibited substances, such as the use of [[cannabis]] for medicinal purposes, or the study of [[psychedelic]]s like [[psilocybin]] and [[LSD]] for the treatment of mental health disorders, including [[depression]], [[anxiety]], and [[PTSD]]. This has led to changes in legislation and public perception in some countries and states, allowing for increased research and access to these substances for medical and therapeutic purposes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5603818/|title=Psychedelic Medicine: A Re-emerging Therapeutic Paradigm|publisher=National Center for Biotechnology Information}}</ref>
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| == Drug addiction and substance abuse ==
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| [[Drug addiction]] and [[substance abuse]] remain significant public health concerns. Many nations invest in prevention, education, and treatment programs to help those struggling with addiction. Treatment approaches can vary, including [[behavioral therapy]], counseling, and medication-assisted therapy (using drugs like [[methadone]] or [[buprenorphine]] to help manage opioid addiction).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/treatment|title=Treatment and Recovery Support|publisher=Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration}}</ref> | |
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| == Harm reduction strategies ==
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| Additionally, [[harm reduction]] strategies have been implemented in some areas to minimize the adverse health effects of drug use. These may include needle exchange programs, supervised injection sites, and access to [[naloxone]], a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/ssps.html|title=Needle Exchange Programs|publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention}}</ref>
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| == References ==
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| {{Reflist}}
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| == See also == | | == See also == |
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| * [[Responsible drug use]] | | * [[Responsible drug use]] |
| * [[War on drugs]] | | * [[War on drugs]] |
| {{drugs bottom}}
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| {{stubd}}
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| {{Major drug groups}} | | {{Major drug groups}} |
| {{Recreational drug use}} | | {{Recreational drug use}} |
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| [[Category:Drug culture]] | | [[Category:Drug culture]] |
| [[Category:Drug policy]] | | [[Category:Drug policy]] |
| | {{nt}} |
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