Illicit drugs MOA Flashcards
(17 cards)
Alcohol
Modulates GABA-A receptors, NMDA glutamate receptors (antagonist), and increases dopamine release.
Nicotine
Activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, leading to dopamine release.
Benzos
Potentiate GABA-A receptor activity by increasing chloride channel opening frequency.
Ketamine
NMDA receptor antagonist; also impacts opioid and dopamine systems.
Opioids
Activate µ-opioid receptors (G-protein coupled receptors), leading to inhibition of GABA release and increased dopamine activity.
Cannabis (THC)
Activates cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), modulating GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission.
GHB
Agonist at GABA-B receptors and weak agonist at GHB-specific receptors.
Amphetamine
Enhances release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin by reversing monoamine transporters (e.g., DAT, NET, SERT).
MDMA
Promotes serotonin release by reversing the serotonin transporter (SERT) and weakly targets dopamine and norepinephrine transporters.
Cocaine
Inhibits dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine reuptake by blocking their transporters (DAT, SERT, NET).
LSD
Agonist at 5-HT2A receptors, with additional activity at other serotonin, dopamine, and adrenergic receptors.
Psilocybin
Prodrug metabolised to psilocin, which is a partial agonist at 5-HT2A receptors.
DMT
Agonist at 5-HT2A receptors, with additional action on other serotonin receptor subtypes.
Mescaline
Agonist at 5-HT2A receptors, with some affinity for other serotonin receptor subtypes.
PCP
NMDA receptor antagonist; also impacts dopamine and sigma receptors.
Nitrous oxide
NMDA receptor antagonist; also modulates opioid and GABAergic systems.
Dextromethorphan (DXM)
NMDA receptor antagonist; also acts on sigma receptors and serotonin reuptake inhibition.
