Download Alcohol

Effects of Alcohol, Tobacco,
and Stimulants
Alcohol

Alcoholic Beverages
– all contain ethyl alcohol, but different %
– Serving of alcohol = ½ oz.

Absorbed through capillary walls in small
intestine
– Distributed throughout body
– Is a psychoactive drug

Oxidation occurs in liver by gastric ADH enzyme
– .25-.3 oz. of alcohol oxidized / hr. (up to .5 oz)
Short Term Effects of Alcohol

GABA
– GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that decreases
arousal, aggression, & anxiety
– Alcohol increases effects of GABA

Glutamate
– An excitatory neurotransmitter – blocked by alcohol

Dopamine and Serotonin
– Increase rewards – positive reinforcement
Long Term Effects of Alcohol

Brain / Nervous System
 Liver
 Gastrointestinal tract
 Cardiovascular
 Endocrine system
 Immune system
 Cancer
 Hypoglycemia
 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Effects on Physical Activity

Inc. isometric muscle strength, Inc. VO2 at
submax. ex.??
 Dec. fine muscle motor control, Dec. hand-eye
coordination
 Lower levels of glycogen
Tobacco

Nicotine is the addictive substance
 Administration
– Inhalation, Sublingual

Absorption – directly into bloodstream
– Affects brain & CNS

Action
– Causes a release of norepinephrine – stimulant, increase
concentration, alertness, decrease appetite
– Mimics acetylcholine – increase HR, BP, breathing rate
– Release dopamine – positive reinforcement
Adverse Effects

Cardiovascular
– Most modifiable risk factor for H.D.
– Due to carbon monoxide buildup
– Arteriosclerosis

Respiratory
– Damage to cilia
– Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease – emphysema, bronchitis

Cancer
– Lung cancer
– Other cancers
Smokeless Tobacco

Chewing tobacco & snuff
– 1.8 million users – mostly young males, athletes

Nicotine w/o exposure to CO & tar
 Same physiological effects as smoking
– Time-released absorption

Other health problems
– Gum disease, damage to enamel
– “Leukoplakia”
– Risk of oral, gum, & cheek cancers

Smokeless tobacco doesn’t injure others
Effects on Physical Activity

Carbon Monoxide

Not banned, but NCAA has anti-tobacco campaign
Stimulants

Administration
– Ingestion, Injection, Inhalation

Action
– Causes release of excitatory neurotransmitters –
norepinephrine, dopamine, adrenaline
– Prevents release of inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine
– Physiological Effects: Increase CNS activity (alertness,
concentration), HR, BP, metabolism
– Psychological Effects: Dec. perception of fatigue, Feel
stronger, more decisive, Feelings of paranoia, mood
swings, irritability
Amphetamines

Medical uses
– Narcolepsy
– Hyperactivity
– Appetite suppressant
Recreational uses – mood altering effects (“pep”)
 Athletic uses

–
–
–
–
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Increase blood flow to muscles
Decrease sense of fatigue
Improve reaction time
Go beyond normal physiological limit
Increase time of productive work
Physiological Effects of Caffeine

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


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Increase metabolism, BP, HR
Decrease appetite
Increased alertness, decrease fatigue
Vasoconstriction in the brain
Diuresis
Increase stomach acid release
Ephedrine

From Ephedra shrub
 Found in many natural health products – Ma
Huang & OTC products – asthma, weight loss
– FDA approval for asthma and decongestant
– Substitute for MDMA (“ecstasy”)
Effects of Ephedrine

Physiological effects
– Bronchodilator, increase heart rate, increase blood
pressure

Side effects
– Dizziness, irritability, anxiety

Adverse effects
– Stroke, heart attack, seizures, liver failure, insomnia,
risk increases if used with caffeine
Effects on Physical Activity

Inc. HR, BP
 Decrease appetite
 Feelings of dec. fatigue
 Caffeine - Ergogenic effects?
– IOC - 12µg/ml
– NCAA - 15µg/ml

Cocaine & Ephedra - Banned by IOC & NCAA