What does pharmacology study?

Pharmacology is the branch of science that focuses specifically on the actions of drugs and their effects on biological systems. This field encompasses the study of how drugs interact with the body, how they produce their effects, and how the body processes them, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Understanding these interactions is critical for developing effective medications, ensuring their safe use, and predicting how they may influence various physiological processes.

When considering this context, the study of nutrition, physical therapy techniques, and genetic influences on medication, while all important fields, do not fall under pharmacology. Nutrition pertains more to dietary components and their impact on health, physical therapy focuses on rehabilitation and movement techniques for physical impairments, and genetic influences relate to pharmacogenomics, an area of study that intersects with, but is distinct from, pharmacology. Therefore, understanding the specific realm of pharmacology helps provide clarity regarding drug effects and therapeutic applications.