Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
scientific pieces of evidence showed the involvement of the dopamine neurotransmitter
in the motivational properties of the active substances in the CNS [
2
] . These sub-
stances enhance mesolimbic dopaminergic transmission by increasing the concen-
tration of extracellular dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, stimulating the release
of the synaptic neurotransmitter, and/or blocking the neuronal reuptake [
3-
5
] .
2
Classi fi cation of Illicit Drugs
There are different means of classifying illicit drugs, depending on the highlighted
characteristics of the substances. The main classification criteria are as follows:
legal, danger, preparation, symptomatic, and pharmacological.
2.1
Legal Classi fi cation
(a) Licit drugs.
(b) Illicit drugs.
This classification strictly depends on the legislation of each State. Some substances
may be legal in one State and illegal in another, and vice versa.
2.2
Danger Classi fi cation
(a) Hard drugs.
(b) Soft drugs.
This classification distinguishes between psychoactive drugs that are addictive and
perceived as especially damaging and drugs that are believed to be nonaddictive (or
minimally addictive) and with fewer dangers associated with their use.
2.3
Preparation Criteria
(a) Natural drugs.
(b) Semisynthetic drugs.
(c) Synthetic drugs.
