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Stimulants
Stimulants are substances that cause the user to feel energized
and experience a sense of increased energy and a state of
euphoria, or high.
When feeling the high, this effect is likely because of the hormone
dopamine, that is released. If taken excessively over time,
stimulants can produce personality changes or even induce violent,
dangerous, psychotic behavior (Deslandes, Pache, and Sewell,
2002).
The addiction to a potent stimulant makes a person adhere in
making very bad choices that will affect them or someone they
love.
Uppers: CNS Stimulants
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Major Stimulants:
 Amphetamines
 Cocaine
Minor Stimulants:
 Caffeine
 Stimulant properties, such
as, OTC sympathomimetics
 Herbal products that give
natural highs
Jones and Bartlett Learning,
LLC, 2012







Increase Alertness
Excitation
Euphoria- Trouble falling asleep
Anorexia
Psychotic Symptoms
Peripheral Cardiovascular Activity
Increased Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/289007-overview
All major stimulants are classified as either:
I. Schedule, Designer Amphetamines
II. Schedule, Amphetamine, cocaine, and methylphenidate
(Ritalin)
Even though these drugs have properties in common, they also
have unique features that distinguish them from one another.
Amphetamines are prescribed by physicians for:
 Appetite control in weight loss programs
Narcolepsy, (a condition causing spontaneous and uncontrolled
sleeping episodes) (eGetgoing 2010).
 Hyperactivity Disorders, (ADD, ADHD) This common behavioral
problem involves children and adolescents with abnormally high
level of physical activity, an inability to focus attention, and
frequent disruptive behavior (Polanczyk and Rohde 2007).
The two principal side effects of therapeutic doses of
amphetamines are:
1. Abuse
2. Cardiovascular toxicities
Many of these effects derive from the amphetamine-induced
release of epinephrine from the adrenal glands and
norepinephrine from the nerves associated with the sympathetic
nervous system. These side effects include increased heart rate,
elevated blood pressure, and damage to vessels, especially small
veins and arteries (Drug War Facts 2004, Drugs.com 2010, Swan
1996)
In users with a history of heart attack, coronary arrhythmia, or
hypertension, amphetamine toxicity can be severe or even fatal.
Jones and Bartlett, Learning LLC 2010
Effects of
Amphetamines on
the Body and mind
LOW DOSE
BODY
MIND
Increased Heartbeat
Decreased Fatigue
Increased Blood Pressure
Increased Confidence
Decreased Appetite
Increased Feeling of
Alertness
Increased Breathing Rate
Restlessness,
Talkativeness
Inability to Sleep
Increased Irritability
Sweating
Fearfulness,
Apprehension
Dry Mouth
Distrust of People
Muscle Twitching
Behavioral Stereotypy
Convulsions
Hallucinations
Fever
Psychosis
Chest Pain
HIGH DOSE
Irregular Heartbeat
Minor stimulants enjoy widespread use in the United States because of
the mild lift in mood provided by their consumption. The most popular of
these agents are methylxanthines, commonly called xanthines, such as
caffeine (which are consumed in many beverages made from plants and
herbs).
Other minor stimulants are OTC medicines, such as cold and hay fever
products.
Caffeine, is the world’s most frequently used stimulant and the most
popular drug (Medicinenet, 2010). Xanthine's, is the family of drugs
that includes caffeine.
Examples of beverages that contain caffeine, include:
 Coffee
 Soft drinks
 Tea
 Chocolate
Jones and Bartlett Learning, LLC 2010
Other Natural caffeine sources that are popular in different parts of
the world:
 Guarana- berries that contain guaranine, a substance very similar in
chemical make-up to caffeine, found in Brazil (Paajanen, About.com
2013)
 Mate` from Argentina, Southern Brazil, and Paraguay
 Kola nuts form West Africa, West Indies, and South America. Kola
nuts are seeds from a tree that gives a greater or lesser percentage
of caffeine, which is only found in the fresh state. The seeds are said
to contain a glucoside, kolanin, but this substance appears to be a
mixture of Kola red and caffeine. The seeds also contain starch, fatty
matter, sugar, a fat decomposing enzyme acting on various oils
(Grieve, Botanical.com 1995-2013).
Jones and Bartlett Learning, LLC 2013
Although the consumption of beverages is by far the most common
source of xanthines, a number of popular OTC products contain
large quanitities of caffeine, such as;
 Anacin and Excedrin, containing 30-60 milligrams of caffeine
per tablet.
 NoDoz and Vivarin (picker upper or stay awake), higher doses
of 100-200 milligrams per tablet (Medicinenet 2010).
Jones and Bartlett Learning, LLC 2013
CNS responses among users can vary considerably but in general
100 to 200 milligrams of caffeine enhances alertness, causes
arousal, and diminishes fatigue (Medicinenet 2010).
Drugs that stimulate the brain usually stimulate the cardiovascular
system as well. Low doses 100-200 milligrams, heart activity can
either increase, decrease, or do nothing. Higher doses, 500
milligrams or more, the rate of contraction of the heart increases.
Xanthines usually cause minor vasodilation in most of the body.
The cerebal blood vessels are vasoconstricted by the action of
caffeine.
Among the xanthines, theophylline( frequently used for asthmatic
problems), has the greatest effect on the respiratory system,
causing air passages to open and facilitate breathing.
Jones and Bartlett Learning, LLC 2013
Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms are as follows:
Symptom
Duration
Headache
Several days to 1 week
Decreased Alertness
2 days
Decreased Vigor
2 days
Fatigue and Lethargy
2 days
Nervousness
2 days
Jones and Bartlett Learning, LLC 2013
Most Countries around the world are
looking for solutions to the personal and
social consequences of drug abuse in
general and the stimulant problems in
particular.
Problems that
affect the
United States
and Global as
well.
Jones and Bartlett Learning, LLC
2013
1) Read Chapter 10 on Stimulants
2) Viewed the documentary on Meth
3) PowerPoint presentation on Chapter 10, Stimulants
4) PowerPoint presentation part 2 on CNS Stimulants
5) Reviewed literature on methamphetamines
6) Listened to the NPR podcast about methamphetamine
7) http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/guarana.htm
8) http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/k/kolanu10.html