Define drug: a drug is a substance that can have intoxicating, medical, or performance-enhancing abilities, among other effects, when introduced into the body of an animal or human and is considered neither food nor nourishment. What is considered a drug and what is a food differs slightly or greatly by culture and in some cultures, distinctions between foods and drugs and their types are written into laws, ranging from prevention to restriction of drug use. Clinical Trials: When Research When a new drug begins, they must ensure that all conditions are met to be effective, safe, stable, and able to be successfully absorbed and removed from the body. It usually takes over a decade and a few hundred million pounds before they are considered a commonly used medicine. Testing is done to ensure that the drug is not harmful to the environment, wildlife, or most importantly, human users from adults to fetuses. An example of this comes in the 1950s, when a drug called Thalidomide was created as a sleep aid and as a way to cure morning sickness. However, no tests have been done to determine the effects of this medication on the unborn child, and many women who have taken this medication have given birth to babies with limb defects. Since the so-called "Thalidomide Tragedy", a new standard was passed that set the standard for testing all drugs, called the Medicines Act of 1968. Legal and Illegal Drugs: Drugs are chemicals that affect the body or, in the case of psychoactive drugs, the brain. Legal medications are not that difficult to find and can be taken from medical stores or prescribed by a doctor if you are old enough and necessary. Illegal drugs are much more powerful drugs that affect you to the point of harming you. The ...... middle of paper ...... ilia, chest pain, asthma, fever, rhinorrhea, bruxism, pruritus and increased risk of heart attack. Caffeine: Caffeine is a white, bitter crystalline xanthine alkaloid and stimulant. medicine. Caffeine is found in varying amounts in the seeds, leaves and fruits of certain plants. It is most commonly consumed by humans from coffee plant extracts as well as various kola nut foods and drinks. Negative side effects include anxiety, dependence, increased blood pressure and vasoconstriction, reduced control of fine motor movements, and stimulation of urination. Alcohol: Alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxyl functional group (-OH) is bonded to a carbon atom. The carbon center must be saturated and have single bonds with three other atoms. Harmful side effects include impaired brain development, memory problems, hepatitis, hallucinations and more..