When we develop new medical drugs they have to be tested and trialled extensively before we can use them
New drugs are tested for toxicity, efficacy and dose:
In labs, using cells, tissues and live animals
In clinical trials involving healthy volunteers and patients who are given very low doses of the drug at the start of the clinical trial. If the drug is found to be safe, further clinical trials are carried out to find the optimim dose for the drug. In some double blind trials, some patients are given a placebo which doesn't contain the drug. Neither the doctors nor the patients know who has recieved a placebo and who has recieved the drug until the trial is complete
Thalidomide was developed as a sleeping pill and was found to prevent morning sickness in early pregnancy but it hadn't been fully tested and causes birth defects
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Drugs
Drugs change the chemical processes in your body, brain or both
Many recreational drugs affect the nervous system, particularly the brain
Some recreational drugs are legal, some illegal
Addiction is when you become physically or mentally dependent on a drug and will suffer withdrawal symptoms without is
The overall impact of legal drugs on health is much greater than the impact of illegal drugs as far more people use them
There are several types of drug that an athlete can use to enhance performance, some of which are banned by law and some that are legally available on prescription, but all are prohibited by sporting regulations
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