| Drug Class | Examples | Mechanisms of Action |
| Drugs Used To Alter Moods and States of Consciousness | ||
| STIMULANTS (produce psychomotor arousal; treat attention deficit disorder | ||
| Sympathomimetics | Dextroamphetamine Methylphenidate | Monoamine (DA & NE) agonist; increase release; block re-uptake |
| Cholinomimetics | Nicotine Muscarine | Ach (acetylcholine) agonist (high dose blocks) |
| Xanthines | Caffeine (recommended 200mg/day; one cup = 90-150mg) Theophylline | Block adenosine receptors; GABA antagonist |
| Convulsants | Strychnine | Glycine antagonist |
| DEPRESSANTS (produce sedation; treat pain, anxiety, sleep disorders) | ||
| Opioids | Morphine Ether | Endogenous opiate agonist |
| Barbiturates | Secobarbital | GABA agonist |
| Barbiturate-like | Meprobamate | Similar to barbiturates |
| Organic solvents | Alcohol Ether | Disrupt neuronal membrane; may facilitate GABA |
| HALLUCINOGENIC (produce distorted perception) | ||
| NE-like (norepinephrine) | Mescaline | Alter 5HT activity |
| 5HT-like (serotonin) | LSD | Alter 5HT activity |
| Other | Marijuana Anti-cholinergics, PCP | Alter 5HT activity |
| Drugs Used to Treat Psychological Disorders | ||
| ANTIPSYCHOTICS (treat schizophrenis; also delirium and dementia) | ||
| Phenothiazines | Chlorpromazine | Block DA receptors |
| Butyrophenones | Haloperidol | Block DA receptors |
| Other | Clozapine | Block DA receptors |
| ANTIDEPRESSANTS (treat depression and bipolar disorder) | ||
| Tricyclics (secondary amines) Tricyclics (tertiary amines) | Nortriptyline Imipramine Clomipramine | Block NE re-uptake Block 5HT re-uptake Block 5HT re-uptake |
| Heterocyclics | Fluoxetine | Block NE & %HT re-uptake |
