This course examines drugs whose primary effect is to alter the operation of the brain and mind (cognition, emotion). Key topics include the neurophysiology of: Pain, Anesthesia, Psychoactive Drug Effects, Addiction, Epilepsy, and Psychomotor Control. The brain mechanisms that mediate each of these processes or syndromes will be described along with pharmacological strategies to probe and regulate them. Chronic drug effects will be discussed to illustrate how the brain changes with ongoing exposure to different drugs. Evaluation is based on 3 non-cumulative tests (2 mid-terms, 1 final exam) and a written assignment.