OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

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Which of the following substances is NOT classified as an analgesic?

Paracetamol
Ibuprofen
Cannabis
Heroin

The correct answer is: Cannabis

Cannabis is classified primarily as a psychoactive substance rather than an analgesic. While it is known to have pain-relieving properties and is sometimes used for medicinal purposes, it operates through different mechanisms compared to conventional analgesics like paracetamol, ibuprofen, and heroin, which are specifically developed and classified as pain relievers. Paracetamol works mainly in the brain to reduce pain and fever, ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces inflammation and alleviates pain, and heroin, which also has potent analgesic effects, is an opioid derived from morphine. The distinction lies in the classifications and intended uses of these substances; analgesics are specifically targeted toward pain relief, whereas cannabis is more broadly recognized for its psychoactive effects and various other potential therapeutic applications.