The document provides an introduction to the field of pharmacology, including its history and key concepts. It discusses how pharmacology studies the interaction between drugs and living organisms. Ancient cultures used plant- and animal-based remedies, with varying effectiveness. Modern pharmacology has derived many drugs from natural sources and through synthetic processes. Throughout history, some drugs have been mislabeled, dangerous or led to addiction when regulations were lacking.

1. 1 Introduction to Pharmacology and the History of Drugs

26. Table 1-1 Other plant sources of some modern drugs Getty Images, Inc.