Balancing Physicochemical Properties between the Molecules of Mercy (Non-Addictive Drugs) and the Molecules of Mysticism (Often Addictive Drugs)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24959/ophcj.25.321860

Keywords:

CNS-drugs discovery, pain killers, mind-changers, physicochemical properties, therapeutic drugs

Abstract

The fundamental physicochemical features of drugs acting on the central nervous system (CNS) determine their ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and be active against the CNS activities. In this paper, we study two well-known groups of drugs used or prescribed by physicists to treat CNS disorders. One group of drugs belongs to pain killers (the Molecules of Mercy), and the other group belongs to the mind-changers (the Molecules of Mysticism). These two groups of CNS drugs differ in a number of physicochemical parameters: molecular weight, lipophilicity, hydrogen bound acceptor count, hydrogen bond donor count, polar surface area, polarizability, flexibility, bioavailability, and their behavior (agreement or disagreement) related to specific structural conditions, in particular the Lipinski’s rule, Ghose filter, Veber’s rule, Multi-Drug Data Report (MDDR) criteria. In the study of 41 well-known drugs that affect the CNS (both approved or illegal), it has been found that painkillers that do not cause addiction have a physicochemical profile other than those of mind-changer drugs that are very often addictive. 

The features of physicochemical parameters associated with the profiles of “pain killer” and “mind-changer” drugs are discussed.

Supporting Agency

  • CNRS-Aix Marseille-University and Marseille Institute for Biology of Development (IBDM) are greatly acknowledged for the facilities offered and financial support.

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Published

2025-05-13

How to Cite

(1)
Kraus, J.-L. Balancing Physicochemical Properties Between the Molecules of Mercy (Non-Addictive Drugs) and the Molecules of Mysticism (Often Addictive Drugs). J. Org. Pharm. Chem. 2025, 23, 3-10.

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Opinion

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