Half the block of cheese, 3 cups of coffee and 4 lectures later...
I like pharmacology, especially when it is taught well. It is a similar experience to walking overground between different tube stations, it is the same 'Aha!' moment when connections between familiar but previously disjointed places become apparent.
Did you know that nicotine (found in cigarettes) produces similar effect to a rare tumour pheochromocytoma? In fact this is its mechanism of action for causing damage to cardiovascular system. All of this is due to a small cute nicotine receptor that sits happily in a membrane minding its own business, kicking open ion channels when it is being tickled, without even realizing its power and damage it could potentially cause. If fact, if blocked, it could wipe out the whole of ANS, he is a one powerful chap. It is a pity he is not very clinically relevant.
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