What Is a Drug?

Last night … well, late last night, I saw a commercial for an over-the-counter sleep aid. It promised to help me fall asleep quickly and to stay asleep waking refreshed the next day. It touted a breakthrough system of dual release -– the quick-release portion for rapid relief and then the time-released component for a full night’s sleep. We’ve all seen these commercials, nothing surprising here. What did make me "tsk" was the last comment, “Now you can sleep through the night without drugs.”

Huh? If this isn’t a drug, then what is? This is misleading to say the least and a bit dangerous. It is, unfortunately, common for people to confuse various terms –- drug, medication/medicine, prescription, over the counter, herbal remedy, dietary supplement –- thinking that some words inherently mean a substance is safe. These misconceptions are knowingly played up by marketing campaigns so I thought it would be helpful to define these words. What is a drug?

~ Kimberly