💊Medications 101: What they are, How They Work, and Why it Matters

Medications are a part of nearly everyone's life at some point or another. Maybe you've taken something for pain, allergies, heartburn, or something more long-term like birth control or blood pressure medications.

But most of the time, we do not stop to ask what we are putting into our bodies or what it actually does. It has become normal to reach for a quick fix at the local store to manage an ailment or symptom.

What we often don't think about is:

• What are medications?

• How do they actually work in the body?

• What are we actually putting into our bodies?

• Does it affect long term health?

Let's take a look 👇

🧬 What Are Medications?

At the simplest level, medications are substances designed to change how your body works.

• They might block a signal → pain meds block pain receptors

• They could replace something your body is missing → thyroid medications

• They might adjust a process in the body → blood pressure meds relax blood vessels

They are carefully developed, research, and prescribed because they work in targeted ways.

⚙️ How Medications Work in the Body

When you swallow a pill, take an injection, or use a spray, your boyd goes through a process called pharmacokinetics (fancy work for how drugs move through your body). It follows a process called ADME:

• Absorption: the medication enters your system (stomach, skin, blood)

• Distribution: it travels into your bloodstream to the intended location

• Metabolism: the liver breaks it down

• Excretion: the kidneys (sometimes the gut) remove it

  
  

👉 This is important because taking a medication is not a "free ride." Your body has to absorb it, break it down, and clear it out. If you digestion, liver, or kidneys are already stressed, a medication can add more strain and sometimes reduce effectiveness. For most people, these processes work well and medications remain safe and effective. But it's important to understand your own body. Medications can be powerful tools, but your body always carries the workload, so awareness matters.

🧪 What Are We Actually Putting Into Our Bodies?

When we take a medication, it is easy to think of it as just something you take and it works. But what actually is happening is so much more complex. Each medication is made up of active ingredients (the part that changes something in the body) and inactive ingredients (fillers, binders, dyes, coatings).

• Active ingredients→ The chemicals specifically designed to target a receptor, enzyme, or process in your body. They don't just go to one spot, they move through other systems in the body.

• Inactive ingredients→ These include things like dyes, preservatives, sugars, or fillers. While often considered "safe," they are still substances your body has to breakdown. For some people, these can trigger sensitivies or reactions. Making it important to read labels or ask questions about what products you may be taking or considering in the future.

👉 The key point is medications are not neutral. They are designed to create change in the body. Which is why they are powerful tools, but with power comes responsibility. We should be informed and know when we are using them.

✅ The Benefits of Medications

Medication can be powerful tools. They can:

• Save lives → antibiotics, EpiPens, Insulin

• Control symptoms → headaches, upset stomach, allergies

• Manage conditions that lifestyle changes alone can't fully control → diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid conditions

• Be well-studied and tested for safety in clinical trials → regulated through agencies and have ongoing research

⚠️ The Drawbacks of Medications

The other side of medications:

• They don't always fix the root cause of the problem

• When you stop taking them, the issues often come back

• Side effects are common and can be anywhere from mild to serious

• They can deplete or shift nutrients in your body over time

• Your liver and kidneys work harder to process them

This does't necessarily make meds "bad." It just means they are often one tool in the toolbox, but do not have to be the whole picture.

🌿 The Holistic Perspective

With a holistic lens, the questions become important before any changes are made. :

• What is really going on beneath the surface?

• How can we support the body while on medication?

• Are there lifestyle changes that can work alongside or sometimes instead of medications?

👉 Medications don’t have to be the only option. Being informed means knowing when they are needed, when they are not, and what questions to ask before starting them. Holistic health is not about rejecting medicine. It is about seeing the full picture. Using the best of modern medicine 💊 and holistic practices🌿 together can create whole-body health.

DISCLAIMER:

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should not be relied upon to make decisions about your health. Always consult your physician, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider regarding questions about your medications, supplements, or health conditions. Do not stop, start, or change medications without medical supervision.