Psicofármacos sob a perspectiva da química: eficácia terapêutica, riscos e potencial didático

Abstract

This study presents a literature review on the chemistry of psychotropic drugs and their effects on human health, with emphasis on antidepressants and anxiolytics. It explores their clinical, pharmacological, and social relevance in the context of the increasing prevalence of depression and anxiety in Brazil and worldwide, conditions that impair quality of life and represent major challenges to public health. The objective was to examine the main classes of psychotropic medications used in the treatment of these disorders, highlighting their chemical features, mechanisms of action, and physiological impacts. Therapeutic benefits, potential adverse effects, and the need for rational drug use are also discussed, particularly within the framework of growing medicalization. The methodology consisted of a bibliographic review of scientific publications indexed in Google Scholar, SciELO, CAPES journals, and the journal Química Nova. Articles published in Portuguese and English between 2019 and 2025 were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and analyzed qualitatively. The results indicate that although psychotropic drugs are effective in the management of mental disorders, their use requires caution due to side effects and the risk of dependence. Furthermore, incorporating chemical knowledge of these substances into chemistry education through an interdisciplinary approach proves promising for connecting scientific concepts to students’ everyday realities. This work presents didactic proposals for addressing topics such as chemical bonding, organic functional groups, and the mechanisms of action of benzodiazepines, among others, using psychotropic drugs as a contextualizing framework. It is concluded that rational drug use, combined with appropriate clinical monitoring and contextualized pedagogical practices, supports both health promotion and meaningful, critical, and integrated learning.