This class is a multidisciplinary introduction to pharmacology, neurotransmitters, drug mechanisms, and brain diseases from addiction to schizophrenia. http://datb.mit.edu/ From Abilify to Zyrtec, the world is full of fascinating drugs. If you are poisoned by sarin nerve gas, you may be able to save your life by huffing some BZ nerve gas. This class will explain that chemical curiosity, plus a lot more interesting tidbits of pharmacology. The structure of the class interleaves basic concepts with specific examples and entertaining tangents, so it is not loaded with boring abstract theory. The class is highly multidisciplinary, including topics such as patent law, medical ethics, history, and the fluid dynamics of spinal anesthesia.

This class is a multidisciplinary introduction to pharmacology, neurotransmitters, drug mechanisms, and brain diseases from addiction to schizophrenia. This class is adapted from an MIT undergraduate class, see here: http://datb.mit.edu/ From Abilify to Zyrtec, the world is full of fascinating drugs. If you are poisoned by sarin nerve gas, you may be able to save your life by huffing some BZ nerve gas. This class will explain that chemical curiosity, plus a lot more interesting tidbits of pharmacology. The structure of the class interleaves basic concepts with specific examples and entertaining tangents, so it is not loaded with boring abstract theory. In the first class you will learn what a neurotransmitter is, and you will immediately apply that knowledge when we discuss the mechanism of caffeine. The class is highly multidisciplinary, including topics such as patent law, medical ethics, history, and the fluid dynamics of spinal anesthesia.

This class is a multidisciplinary introduction to pharmacology, neurotransmitters, drug mechanisms, and addiction. From Abilify to Zyrtec, the world is full of fascinating drugs. If you are poisoned by sarin nerve gas, you may be able to save your life by huffing some BZ nerve gas. This class will explain that chemical curiosity, plus a lot more interesting tidbits of pharmacology. The structure of the class interleaves basic concepts with specific examples and entertaining tangents, so it is not loaded with boring abstract theory. You will learn some key terms like neurotransmitter and agonist, and then you will learn the mechanisms of some classic drugs like caffeine and cocaine. The class is highly multidisciplinary, we may discuss topics such as patent law, medical ethics, history, and the fluid dynamics of spinal anesthesia. This class has a website with fun 5-minute quizzes, you can try them now: http://datb.mit.edu/ This class is long, but you are not required to stay for the whole thing. After about 2 hours, we will have a break and you can choose to stay or leave.

If you are poisoned by sarin nerve gas, you may be able to save your life by huffing some BZ nerve gas. This class will explain that chemical curiosity, along with a host of other interesting tidbits of pharmacology. I will explain how the brain works and what a neurotransmitter is. I will introduce some important neurotransmitters like GABA, serotonin, and dopamine. I will discuss some drugs that act on each, including alcohol, caffeine, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, Prozac, Ritalin, and Valium. We will also discuss how these drugs relate to brain diseases, most notably addiction and depression. The students will choose the content of the class by voting, because I have way more than 2 hours of material. Please feel free to take the class more than once, because I will cover different material each time. That means "Drugs and the Brain (A)" and "Drugs and the Brain (B)" will cover different material, you may want to take both. The later session does not assume that you attended the earlier session, so there is some repetition.

If you are poisoned by sarin nerve gas, you may be able to save your life by huffing some BZ nerve gas. This class will explain that chemical curiosity, along with a host of other interesting tidbits of pharmacology. I will explain how the brain works and what a neurotransmitter is. I will introduce some important neurotransmitters like GABA, serotonin, and dopamine. I will discuss some drugs that act on each, including alcohol, caffeine, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, Prozac, Ritalin, and Valium. We will also discuss how these drugs relate to brain diseases, most notably addiction and depression. The students will choose the content of the class by voting, because I have way more than 2 hours of material. Please feel free to take the class more than once, because I will cover different material each time. That means "Drugs and the Brain (A)" and "Drugs and the Brain (B)" will cover different material, you may want to take both. The later session does not assume that you attended the earlier session, so there is some repetition.

Did you know that Viagra might reduce jet lag, or that the chemical warfare agents BZ and VX nerve gas are mutual antidotes for one another? Would you be surprised to hear that there is a narcotic painkiller ten thousand times more potent than heroin? This class will explain these fascinating pharmacological tidbits and many more, including topics like SSRI antidepressants and ADHD medications. Students will learn the foundations of pharmacology, including how drugs work, what they do, and why they are so interesting.

Did you know that Viagra might reduce jet lag, or that the chemical warfare agents BZ and VX nerve gas are mutual antidotes for one another? Would you be surprised to hear that there is a narcotic painkiller ten thousand times more potent than heroin? This class will explain these fascinating pharmacological tidbits and many more, including topics like SSRI antidepressants and ADHD medications. Students will learn the foundations of pharmacology, including how drugs work, what they do, and why they are so interesting.

Did you know that Viagra might reduce jet lag, or that the chemical warfare agents BZ and VX nerve gas are mutual antidotes for one another? Would you be surprised to hear that there is a narcotic painkiller ten thousand times more potent than heroin? This class will explain these fascinating pharmacological tidbits and many more, including topics like SSRI antidepressants and ADHD medications. Students will learn the foundations of pharmacology, including how drugs work, what they do, and why they are so interesting. There will also be brief chemical demonstrations that have very little to do with pharmacology during some of the classes. Things will blow up, burn, freeze, and change colors. *Please note* This class is full, but if you really want to take it you should email me (click on my name above) and I will put you on a waiting list. You should also come to one of the Spark sessions. Don't get your hopes up, I can't make any promises, but you will enjoy the Spark session even if you don't get into the ten-week class.

Did you know that Viagra might reduce jet lag, or that the chemical warfare agents BZ and VX nerve gas ...

This is a continuation of Tidbits: Part I, though part I is not necessary to understand and enjoy part II.