How Tylenol Works

The American Chemical Society produces a video series called "Reactions: Everyday Chemistry," which can be easily viewed on Youtube. Each short video gives a brief explanation of different chemical phenomenon and informs the viewer of how chemical compounds affect our everyday lives. This video in particular is about how tylenol works in our bodies to eliminate pain. Three different theories on the mechanisms of acetaminophen in the body are presented in the video, but in the end it is discussed that these three theories may work in combination to produce the effects of the drug. This is interesting and relevant considering that most of us take drugs like tylenol, advil, aspirin, and aleve without any knowledge of how these chemicals work inside our bodies. I also thought that the comparison between synthetic pain killers and the natural pain killer THC in marijuana was relevant considering the fairly new laws legalizing this natural drug in certain states.