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  • Dendrite: The specialized branches that extend from a neuron's cell body and function to receive messages from other neurons. [5]
  • Depressants: Drugs that relieve anxiety and produce sleep. Depressants include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. [3]
  • Dopamine: A brain chemical, classified as a neurotransmitter, found in regions of the brain that regulate movement, emotion, motivation, and pleasure. [1]
  • Drug: A chemical compound or substance that can alter the structure and function of the body. Psychoactive drugs affect the function of the brain, and some of these may be illegal to use and possess. [5]
  • Drug abuse: The use of illegal drugs or the inappropriate use of legal drugs. The repeated use of drugs to produce pleasure, to alleviate stress, or to alter or avoid reality (or all three). [5]
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  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Marijuana Abuse, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Marijuana/Marijuana6.html#glossary:
    NIH Pub. No. 02-3859. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. October 2002.
  2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Steroid Abuse and Addiction, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Steroids/anabolicsteroids5.html#glossary:
    NIH Pub. No. 00-3721. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 1991. Reprinted 1994, 1996. Revised April 2000.
  3. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Nicotine Addiction, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/researchreports/nicotine/nicotine5.html#glossary:
    NIH Pub. No. 01-4342. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed July, 1998. Reprinted August 2001.
  4. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/hallucinogens/halluc5.html:
    NIH Pub. No. 01-4209. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed March 2001.
  5. National Institute on Drug Abuse. The Brain: Understanding Neurobiology Through the Study of Addiction, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/Curriculum/HSCurriculum.html:
    NIH Pub. No. 00-4871. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 2000.
  6. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report- Cocaine Abuse and Addiction, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Cocaine/cocaine5.html#glossary:
    NIH Pub. No. 99-4342, Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed May 1999. Revised November 2004
  7. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA InfoFacts- Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/ritalin.html:
  8. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA InfoFacts: Drug Abuse and AIDS
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/drugabuse.html:
  9. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report- Inhalants Abuse
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Inhalants/:
    NIH Pub. No. 00-3818, Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 1994, Reprinted 1996, 1999. Revised July, 2000, Revised 2005