A SEMINAR REPORT ON:

PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: NEW FRONTIERS IN TREATING MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS

PRESENTED BY

OYAWIRI ESEOGHENE HARTLEY

CFB/20/22/268278

PRESENTED TO

DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTIC, FACULTY OF BASIC

MEDICAL SCIENCE, DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY ABRAKA

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELOR

OF SCIENCE IN PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS
 CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that the seminar " PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: NEW FRONTIERS IN TREATING MENTAL
HEALTH DISORDERS " is submitted by OYAWIRI ESEOGHENE HARTLEY with matriculation number
CFB/20/21/268278 in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the degree Bachelor of Science of
Department of Pharmacology, Delta State University for the academic year 2023/2024 .
 DEDICATION

I humbly dedicate this write-up to the almighty God for the Grace, Strength and privilege given to me to
complete the work and for all that have contributed one way or the order, God bless you all.
 ABSTRACT

The field of psychopharmacology which investigates how drugs impact mood, sensation, thinking
and behavior is rapidly evolving with advancements that hold potential for the treatment of health
disorders. This summary provides an overview of the progress,in psychopharmacology and its potential
implications on the management of health conditions.
Historically a limited range of medications like antidepressants, anxiolytics and antipsychotics have been
used to treat health disorders. Nevertheless recent research has led to the development of interventions
targeting specific neural pathways, neurotransmitter systems and brain circuits associated with various
mental health conditions.
One area of advancement lies in precision medicine approaches within psychopharmacology. These
approaches aim to customize treatment based on an individuals makeup, neurobiological characteristics
and clinical profile. This personalized approach shows promise in improving treatment effectiveness
while minimizing effects.
Moreover there is a growing interest in exploring hallucinogenic substances such as psilocybin and
MDMA as therapies for conditions like treatment resistant depression, post traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) and substance use disorders. Encouraging results, from trials suggest that these substances may
offer therapeutic benefits when compared to conventional medications.
Furthermore progress, in the field of psychopharmacology has also resulted in the identification of drug
targets and the repurposing of existing medications to treat health disorders. To illustrate studies on the
connection between the gut and brain have revealed avenues for influencing health through modulation
of the microbiome. Additionally there has been interest in utilizing ketamine, for alleviating severe
depression.
 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY:

In the world of Psychopharmacology, it's like we're detectives exploring how drugs influence our
moods, thoughts, and behaviors. Think of psychoactive drugs as our suspects, honing in on the nervous
system. We blend psychology and pharmacology, creating a teamwork approach to decipher how drug
actions connect with our mental processes. Psychopharmacologists, whether they're the medical
maestros like psychiatrists or the scientific sleuths, need to be well-versed in the nervous system and
how psychoactive drugs tweak its functions. first delving into brain cells and then unraveling the secrets
of pharmacology. We're not just studying any drugs; we're looking at the whole spectrum – from the
wild, like cocaine and marijuana, to the healers, the drugs combating mental disorders. It's not just about
the term "psychopharmacology" either; we've got alternatives like "behavioral pharmacology" and
"neuropsychopharmacology," each offering a unique angle. The latter, with its 'neuro' prefix, zeroes in on
the nervous system actions of drugs, giving it a distinctive flavor in our journey through this fascinating
field. Psychopharmacology plays a crucial role in modern psychology for a few key reasons. Firstly, the
use of psychoactive drugs is widespread, as seen in the United States where over 100 million
antidepressant prescriptions are written annually, along with more than 80 million prescriptions for anti-
anxiety and sedative drugs, and over 200 million for pain relief. Including recreational drugs, the
numbers climb with over 114 million adults regularly consuming alcohol, 25 million using marijuana, 15
million misusing prescription drugs, and 70 million using tobacco.
This prevalence extends globally, as reported by the World Health Organization. As students, teachers,
researchers, and practitioners in psychology, understanding how these drugs impact our thoughts and
functioning becomes essential to comprehend typical human behaviour in the modern world.
The second reason to dive into this text is the eye-opening statistics, illustrating that almost all of
us are consumers of psychoactive substances. As consumers, it's crucial to be informed about the
substances we ingest, enhancing our understanding of prescribed medical treatments and the health
implications of recreational and abused substances.
Thirdly, exploring this text will unveil how psychoactive substances serve as vital tools in
understanding human behaviour. For instance, the actions of antidepressant drugs have contributed to
uncovering the roles of specific neurotransmitters and brain structures in depression. Researchers
employ experimental psychoactive drugs as tools to delve into brain function and behaviour.
Lastly, you'll discover how psychopharmacologists develop treatments for psychological
disorders. Contrary to a purely chemical approach, scientists trained in psychology test psychoactive
drugs to assess their potential effectiveness in treating psychological disorders. This multifaceted
perspective enriches our understanding of the intricate relationship between psychoactive substances
and human psychology.