PHSC6222 (The Chemistry and Biology of Drugs of Abuse) course reviews and ratings at Northeastern (NEU). Compare professors with RateMyProfessor reviews.
Provides an interdisciplinary introduction to substance abuse, including the medicinal chemistry and neurobiology of drugs that act through the opioid, dopamine, acetylcholine, and cannabinoid systems. Compares and contrasts neurochemical mechanisms that are common to many addictive agents and those that are specific to individual drug classes. Highlights the involvement of the brain dopamine system and differences and discusses similarities between the pharmacology of abused and therapeutic drugs, together with the development of medications for treating drug dependence. Includes lectures by experts on particular topics of their own recent research. Introduces students to key aspects of biological and chemical research as they pertain to drug abuse and its treatment.
Data updated October 2026.