Plant Stimulants: Oral and Smoked Stimulants Flashcards
Define Stimulus.
- Stimulate the CNS, producing a sense of power and well-being, increase self confidence and feelings of exhilaration.
- Alleviate fatigue and drowsiness, but increase levels of agitation, apprehension and anxiety.
- Increase tolerance to stimulants develops over time, resulting in cravings and possible addictive dependence.
Define Depressant.
- Depress the CNS, leading to a sensation of euphoria and well-being.
- Higher dosage produce sedation, associated with calming and tranquilizing effects.
- Depressant drugs are hypnotic (sleep inducing), and anesthetic, and like stimulants have a strong potential for addictive dependence.
- Tolerance develops overtime, requiring increased dosages to produce the same affect.
Define Hallucinogens.
- These induce abnormal changes in perception, thought and mood, characterized by alteration of the psyche and an altered state of consciousness.
- Unlike stimulants and depressants, they do not affect the the autonomic nervous system (the non-conscious functions).
- Generally not addictive, but may be habit forming.
What is an arborescent (tree-like) palm species native to Indonesia used in oral and smoked stimuli?
The acre or betel palm in which the seed of the betel palm is used to produce a stimulant known as betel.
How is betel obtained?
The seed of the betel palm is grated and wrapped in allay of Piper betel (betel leaf), a herbaceous vine native to Southeast Asia and in the same genus as black pepper (P. Nigrum).
When does evidence of human use of betel nut date back to?
7500 years ago based on archeological evidence from the Spirit Cave in northern Thailand.
What percent of the global population chews betel nut on a regular basis?
10%.
Where is chewing of the betel nut particularly common?
India, the western Pacific Islands, southern China, and Southeast Asia.
What does it mean when we say “chew”?
Masticated and then held between cheek and tongue as a quid.
What is this betel chew similar to?
Chewing tobacco, khat and traditional use of coca by the Andeans.
What are the basic ingredients of betel?
Shavings go the Areca palm seed, mixed with mineral lime to reduce acidity, and wrapped in a Piper betel leaf. Gambir and spices may also be added.
What is Gambir?
A resinous substance obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of the shrub Uncaria gambir.
Where is the preparation of betel very formalized and ritualistic?
India.
What does chewing the betel produce?
A brilliant red juice in the mouth, and will discolour teeth and gums, or acts as expectorants and readily stain surfaces.
What are the active principles of the Areca palm seed?
Nicotinic acid based alkaloids arecaidine and arecoline.
What affects do arecaidine and arecoline have?
Stimulant effects similar to nicotine and are thought to be as addictive.
How have these secondary products been used as a medical benefit?
Alkaloids have been shown to aid in expelling intestinal worms.
What is tobacco?
A solanaceous (a member of the tomato family), and an annual herb growing to heigh of 2m.
Where is tobacco native to?
Amazonia.
Where does tobacco grow best?
Lose, Sandy soils.
What is closely related but smaller species of tobacco?
N.rustica, Aztec tobacco, and is indigenous to Mexico and US.
Where is the native species of Nicotiana (from tobacco) used by indigenous groups as entheogens?
Australia.
When did Europeans come in contact with tobacco?
Late 15th century.
How was tobacco originally used>
Leaves were rolled, drives, and smoked. This was also taken up by Spanish and Portuguese sailors.
Due to these connections and insatiable cravings, tobacco was introduced throughout the world during the ____ century.
16th.
Whose “Herbal” recommend Tobacco for treating headaches, toothaches, skin problems, burns, dropsy, piles, colic, also as a purgative, emetic, and to expel intestinal worms?
John Gerard (1597).
What are the addictive properties of tobacco attributed to?
The pyridine alkaloids nicotine and nornicotine.
How does nictotine possess a complex mode of action?
While it is generally considered a stimulant, it may act as a depressant in agitated people.
What product are humans most addicted to?
Tobacco.
What percent of dry tobacco leaves contain nicotine?
0.6-0.9%, with smaller amounts of other stimulants such as nornicotine and camphor.
When smoking, how fast does it take for nicotine to reach the brain?
Five seconds-addiction is related to that initial surge of dopamine.
How does nicotine stimulate but then also block neurotransmission-playing into complexity?
Nicotine stimulates neurotransmission by mimicking acetylcholine, while also stimulating the release of dopamine and adrenaline.
Because nicotine is not rapidly deactivated, is also blocks neurotransmission.
What is the mode of action of nicotine continued-complexity?
It initially stimulates, but subsequently blocks, sensory receptors on the skin and tongue responsible for detecting heat and pain.
Nicotine is an _________, inhibiting hunger contractions of the stomach and deadening the taste buds.
Appetite suppressant.
When were the adverse health effects of tobacco first reported?
1950s, but were not taken seriously until 1964.
What is pulmonary emphysema (shortness of breath) related to?
Tobacco smoking/smoking.
What was the highly critical document of the tobacco industry?
Report of the Surgeon General’s Advisory Committee on Smoking and Health.
What is another alternative to tobacco therapy along with patches, vaping, gums and sprays?
An alternative therapy employs the antidepressant bupropion, Zyban, which like nicotine increases brain dopamine levels.
How does nicotine have medical benefits?
Smokers suffer less from Parkinson’s, a progressive diseases of the nervous system, resulting from a deficiency of neurotransmitter dopamine.
Who has been known to be heavy users of nicotine?
Schizophrenics, leading to the suggestion that smoking may be a form of self-medications.
What have controlled trials demonstrated in regard to nicotine?
Nicotine alleviates the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Summarize how nicotine exerts its affects?
Stimulates the production of dopamine by mimicking acetylcholine which controls dopamine production.
