What term describes the study of where and how drugs act in the human body?

The study of where and how drugs act in the human body is referred to as pharmacodynamics. This field specifically focuses on the interactions between a drug and the body, including the biological effects it produces, the mechanisms of action, and how the drug influences physiological processes.

Pharmacodynamics encompasses understanding how drugs bind to receptors, the signal transduction pathways activated, and the subsequent therapeutic or adverse effects that result from these interactions. This knowledge is crucial for Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors as it informs them about how substances exert their influence, which is vital for treatment planning and client education.

Pharmacology is a broader term that includes pharmacodynamics but also encompasses pharmacokinetics (the study of how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes drugs) and toxicology (the study of the adverse effects of substances). Thus, while pharmacology is related to the concept, it does not specifically address the actions and effects of drugs within the body contextually, which is what pharmacodynamics does.