Lesson 2:

Brain chemistry - Amazing and changing!

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Model of a neuron

Lesson 2: Brain Chemistry- Amazing and changing! 2

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Brain messages

Lesson 2: Brain chemistry- Amazing and changing!

Messages in our brain are sent by electrical and chemical signals

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Electrical messages

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Chemical messages

Lesson 2: Brain chemistry- Amazing and changing!

AxonDendrite

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Lesson 2: Brain chemistry- Amazing and changing!

Neurons must communicate with each other for our thoughts to make sense.

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Neurons communicate

Synaptic transmission

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Source: KDH Research & Communication

Neurons

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Lesson 2: Brain chemistry- Amazing and changing!

Prescription drugs

CHANGE the way our brain cells communicate

with each other.

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Prescription drugs and brain cells

Rx symbol

Lesson 2: Brain chemistry- Amazing and changing!

What does this symbol mean?

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Lesson 2: Brain chemistry- Amazing and changing!

John Smith, M.D.1234 Main Street

Anywhere, USA 00000 800-555-1212 Lic. # ME 0000000

NAME_________________________________D.O.B______ADDRESS______________________________ DATE_______

Refills NR 1 2 3 4 5 _________________________________________________________________

(Signature)

Doctorinformation

Name, date of birth, address of person prescription is for

Date prescription written

Number of refills

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Prescription script form

What medicine is being prescribed?

How do you take it?

What does a prescription drug label tell you?

Prescription drug label

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Lesson 2: Brain chemistry- Amazing and changing!

Dosage

Milliliters (mL)

Milligrams (mg)

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Dosage for medications

Decoding Rx

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1. Whose prescription is this?2. How many milligrams (mg) are in one dose?3. When should the person throw away the prescription drug/what’s the

expiration date?4. How many times per day should this prescription drug be taken?5. Are there special instructions about how this prescription drug should be

taken?6. What are possible side effects from taking this prescription drug?

Using prescription drugs correctly

A prescription drug should be taken: •By the right person

• In the right amount (dosage)

• At the right time

• In the right way (with food, water)

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Prescription drugs safely and effectively treat health problems when used as prescribed.

Prescription drugs can be very helpful to a person with a serious health problem.

Remember

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Always ask yourself:• WHO is this prescription for? You should

only take your own prescription drugs.• HOW are you taking this medication? You

should only take it the way the doctor prescribed.

• WHY are you taking this medication? You should only take it to improve your health.

Three important points

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Think about this for next time

How can prescription drug use become prescription drug abuse?

18Lesson 2: Brain chemistry- Amazing and changing!