Medicines and Drugs: What’s Helpful, What’s Harmful (Module 4)

You can also download this entire module in PDF format by clicking the following link: Module 4 [PDF 1.2 MB]

Introduction

In modules 2 and 3, students learned about the parts of the brain and how information is sent throughout the body. This module focuses on drugs - powerful substances that can change both the way the brain functions and how the brain communicates with the body. Some drugs are helpful when used properly: they fall into the category of medicines. Other drugs may have a harmful effect on the body. The purpose of today’s activity is for students to begin to understand how different drugs can affect the body.

Learning Objectives

• Students learn about different drugs and how they affect the body.
  
• Students classify drugs and their effect on the body into two groups: helpful medicines and harmful drugs.
  
• Students think about whether any drugs can be both helpful and harmful.