Example stimulants: Mechanisms and effect

Question 1

How do stimulants cause their effect?

Answer 1

Effects are caused by alteration of dopaminergic pathways in dopamine rich areas of the brain including ventral tegmental area, the nucleus accumbens and caudate nucleus all involved in the reward pathway.

Stimulants tend to increase dopamine in the synapse by preventing reuptake or triggering its release.

Question 2

How does cocaine work?

Answer 2

Blocks reuptake of noradrenaline and dopamine. Dopamine remains in the synapse, free to bind post-synaptic membrane increasing activation of the dopaminergic reward system.

Question 3

What are the short-term effects of cocaine?

Answer 3

• Rapid acting stimulant to elevate mood (crack cocaine even quicker)
• Confidence
• Alert
• Can get over-confident and aggressive
• Reduced appetite
• Raise body temp
• Increase heart rate
• Bad come down

Question 4

What are the long-term effects of cocaine?

Answer 4

• Nasal damage from regular snorting (chronic nose bleeds, septum loss etc.)
• Miscarriage if pregnant

Question 5

How do amphetamines (speed) work?

Answer 5

They increase the release of noradrenaline and dopamine

Question 6

How does ecstasy (MDMA) work?

Answer 6

Same as amphetamines but additional effects on 5HT

Question 7

What are the effects of amphetamines?

Answer 7

• Wide awake
• Excited
• Chatty
• Can lead to psychotic episode

Question 8

What are the effects of ecstasy (MDMA)?

Answer 8

• Energy
• Affectionate
• Make colour/music more intense
• Panic attacks/anxiousness
  Physical:
• Tingling feeling
• Tightened jaw
• Raise temp
• Raise heartbeat