Science & Terminology
What are receptors, ligands, agonists, and antagonists?
A receptor is a protein a molecule binds to; an agonist activates it, an antagonist blocks it, and selectivity describes how choosy that binding is.
What do pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics mean?
Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to a compound; pharmacodynamics is what the compound does to the body.
How does research move from a lab bench to a clinical trial — and why do results sometimes not translate?
In-vitro and in-vivo studies, preclinical research, and the three phases of a clinical trial, explained in order — plus why a promising mechanism is not the same as a proven benefit.
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