EDITORIAL: SOCIAL DRUGS - AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

There is a class of drugs commonly referred to as „social drugs‟. These are non-medical agents that are used in social, ritual and cultural gatherings to facilitate easy interpersonal communication or to just bring about relaxation. Nearly all of them act on the central nervous system and induce euphoria or a pleasant sensation. Their continued use often leads to mild or moderate psychological dependence. All of them are derived from plants and were known to indigenous people long before their chemical and pharmacological properties were elucidated. The term „social pharmacology‟ has been used to indicate those aspects of pharmacology devoted to their study.