We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Neuropsychopharmacology?

Allison Boelcke
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 10,542
Share

Neuropsychopharmacology is a field of study that combines the foundations of both psychopharmacology and neuroscience. Psychopharmacology is a science that involves the possible effects of drugs on the brain and the behavior they may cause, while neuroscience is the study of the nervous system and the process of how nerves control impulses and behavior. One of the main purposes of this interdisciplinary science is to definitively conclude the connections between certain drugs and how they affect the brain in order to develop new drugs to treat mental health conditions and neurological disorders.

The brain controls impulses through the movement of neurotransmitters throughout the body. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are responsible for conveying messages to nerve cells throughout the body in order to trigger impulses. Abnormalities in the transmission process are thought to be the contributing factor to mental health conditions, as well as conditions, such as epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease, that cause motor skill malfunctioning. Neuropsychopharmacology generally aims to study the way different drugs affect the functioning of neurotransmitters as a means to come up with new drugs to help treat various neurological conditions.

Neuropsychopharmacology research studies tend to focus mainly on a variety of mental health conditions. These can include psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, in which a person becomes completely detached from reality, or mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder. Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, as well as sleep disorders and anxiety disorders, are also often the topic of research for new and more effective medications.

One of the central foundations of neuropsychopharmacology is the study of how drugs affect the brain as well as uncontrollable impulses and behavior. During research, drugs are generally observed to determine if they change the activity of neurotransmitters in any way and thus, lead to changes in mood or behavior. A commonly prescribed medication that is often regularly studied are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). These types of drugs help stabilize levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for feelings of happiness and well-being and whose low levels may contribute to anxiety and mood disorders. It is not often known exactly how or why drugs like SSRIs work, so this interdisciplinary science tends to aim to discover definitive answers.

Critics of this interdisciplinary science believe that there has not been enough conclusive research in determining how the brain’s mechanisms become abnormal. They often cite inconsistencies in research findings when it comes to neurological disorders, such as different conclusions based on gender, age, or genetics. Since one of the main objectives of the science is to determine the biological aspects that cause abnormal brain impulses and lead to changes in behavior, critics may claim that this field of study has not proven to be successful.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Allison Boelcke
By Allison Boelcke
Allison Boelcke, a digital marketing manager and freelance writer, helps businesses create compelling content to connect with their target markets and drive results. With a degree in English, she combines her writing skills with marketing expertise to craft engaging content that gets noticed and leads to website traffic and conversions. Her ability to understand and connect with target audiences makes her a valuable asset to any content creation team.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Allison Boelcke
Allison Boelcke
Allison Boelcke, a digital marketing manager and freelance writer, helps businesses create compelling content to connect with their target markets and drive results. With a degree in English, she combines her writing skills with marketing expertise to craft engaging content that gets noticed and leads to website traffic and conversions. Her ability to understand and connect with target audiences makes her a valuable asset to any content creation team.
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-neuropsychopharmacology.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.