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A drug is, in the broadest of terms, a chemical substance that has known biological effects

on humans or otheranimals.[5] Foods are generally excluded from this definition, in spite of their
physiological effects on animal species.[6][7][8]
In pharmacology, a drug is "a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or
diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being." [6] Pharmaceutical
drugs may be used for a limited duration, or on a regular basis for chronic disorders.[9]
Psychoactive drugs are chemical substances that affect the function of the nervous system,
altering perception, mood orconsciousness.[10] Alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine are the most widely
consumed psychoactive drugs worldwide.[11]
Recreational drugs are drugs that are not used for medicinal purposes, but are instead used for
pleasure.[12] Common recreational drugs include alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, as well as other
substances such as opiates and amphetamines.
Some drugs can cause addiction and habituation[13] and all drugs can cause side effects.[14] Many
drugs are illegal for recreational purposes and international treaties such as the Single Convention
on Narcotic Drugs exist for the purpose of legally prohibiting certain substances.
Contents
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1 Etymology

2 Medication

3 Spiritual and religious use

4 Self-improvement

5 Recreational drug use

6 Administering drugs

7 See also

8 References

9 Further reading

10 External links

Etymology

In English, the noun "drug" is thought to originate from Old French "drogue", possibly deriving later
into "droge-vate" from Middle Dutch meaning "dry barrels", referring to medicinal plants preserved in
them.[15] The transitive verb "to drug" (meaning intentionally administer a substance to someone,
often without their knowledge) arose later and invokes the psychoactive rather than medicinal
properties of a substance.[16]

Medication

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