Amphetamines and Convulsants

Question 1

Identifying traits of ephedra

Answer 1

perennial shrub native to Asia, adapted to grow in dry habitats; ancient lineage of gymnosperms

Question 2

How is ephedra used in China?

Answer 2

improve circulation, increase blood pressure, promote perspiration and reduce fever; also as an antihistamine and decongestant; cough remedy

Question 3

Who referred to ephedron as a plant used to cure coughing and alleviate hemorrhaging?

Answer 3

Pliny

Question 4

What’s the active secondary product of ephedra and how does it work?

Answer 4

ephedrine, an amphetamine-like compound; central nervous system stimulant that increases blood pressure and raises heart rate; has anti-histaminic properties

Question 5

How was ephedra used in western medicine?

Answer 5

dilate the pupil, increase blood pressure, treat asthma and hay fever, and counteract overdoses of depressant drugs like alcohol, barbiturates and morphine

Question 6

What are amphetamines?

Answer 6

stimulants that reduce fatigue by temporarily increasing overall mental and physical activity, speech, and concentration; they stimulate the nervous system by mimicking neurotransmitters

Question 7

What is pseudoephedrine?

Answer 7

A stereoisomer of ephedrine

Question 8

Why was ephedra a popular herbal remedy and nutritional supplement?

Answer 8

it was used to promote weight loss and improve athletic performance

Question 9

What was used during World War II to enhance and extend performance?

Answer 9

amphetamine or benzedrine (pep pills)

Question 10

What drug was involved in the first recorded stimulant abuse epidemic?

Answer 10

benzedrine

Question 11

Describe methamphetamine

Answer 11

a semi-synthetic amphetamine; produces an immediate rush of energy, sense of power, and feeling of well being; more potent and addictive than ephedrine

Question 12

Describe methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

Answer 12

aka ecstasy; derivative of meth, high dosages may lead to depression, memory loss, and insomnia; small doses are useful in treating PTSD; USFDA approved phase III clinical trials to investigate therapeutic use

Question 13

Describe ketamine

Answer 13

general anesthetic; induces a trancelike state with associated sedative and analgesic effects; results in rapid increase in neurotransmitter glutamate, and increases dopamine activity in the brain; may be useful in treating severe depression

Question 14

What is the K-hole?

Answer 14

a potentially dangerous dissociate state that causes visual and auditory hallucinations (from ketamine)

Question 15

Describe methylphenidate

Answer 15

aka Ritalin; used to treat hyperactive children; “fen-phen” used to promote weight loss

Question 16

Identifying traits of strychnine/nux-vomica

Answer 16

deciduous tree, native to Asia and Australia, same genus as curare

Question 17

How are strychnine and curare different?

Answer 17

Strychnine is a muscle convulsant and curare is a muscle relaxant

Question 18

What are symptoms of strychnine poisoning?

Answer 18

agitation, then uncontrolled muscle spasms and convulsions; high doses cause convulsions that cause collapse of vital organ function

Question 19

Strychnine facts

Answer 19

was used as rat poison, alkaloid strychnine occurs in all parts of the plant, was used as a homicide poison

Question 20

How was strychnine used medicinally?

Answer 20

effective nervous system stimulant; recommended as a cure for fever and snakebites, to stimulate gastrointestinal tract, improve blood circulation, treat overdoses of depressants