Abstract
DRUG dependence can occur in organisms as far apart as bacteria1 and man, and even in isolated preparations of cells2 or muscle3. The theory proposed here is intended to explain the genesis in mammals of dependence on addictive drugs, such as morphine; but there seems no reason why it might not apply to drug dependence in other organisms or in isolated preparations and to tolerance towards non-addictive drugs. This explanation is based on the concept of Ehrlich4 that a chemical substance acts on a living system through its molecules becoming attached to particular sites (receptors) on cells. It uses the following aspects of receptor theory, which are to be found in pharmacological literature in other connexions.
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COLLIER, H. A General Theory of the Genesis of Drug Dependence by Induction of Receptors. Nature 205, 181–182 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1038/205181a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/205181a0
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