Psychostimulants

Question 1

Stimulants vs Psychostimulants

Answer 1

Stimulants - stimulate nervous system and influence dopamine production

• affect blood pressure, alertness, and heart rate
• enhance norepinephrine (“rest or repose”) and dopamine (euphoric feeling)

Psycho stimulants have therapeutic value but highly susceptible to addiction

Question 2

Types of Stimulants

Answer 2

Psychomotor
- release chemicals in the brain by stimulating CNS
- eg. adderall(, dexedrine, ritalin
Psychomotor stimulants
- cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine, caffeine , antidepressant

Psychotomimetic drugs/ Hallucinogens

• altering perception fo surrounding environment
• eg. Lysergic acid, psilocybin, mescaline

Convulsants & Respiratory stimulants

• have no clinical applications
• used for research since mechanism of action is unknown
• eg. Bicuculline, Picrotoxin, Doxapram, Pentlenetetrazol

Question 3

Cocaine

Answer 3

Cocaine
- leaves of coca plant
- snort, rub it in, inject
- crack = the vapor of the heat from cocaine crystal; crackling sound while heated
Short term - happiness, energy, hypersensitivity, paranoia
long term - lungs and nose

duration and intensity depends on type of intake method

Question 4

Amphetamines

Answer 4

Increase noradrenaline/norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain
- bind to receptors to block them (antagonist), dopamine stays longer in brain as a result
- results in wakefulness and alertness
- adderall
withdrawal - headaches, dizziness paranoia

Question 5

Methylphenidate

Answer 5

Increase level of dopamine - pleasure like feeling

ADHD can be treated with these drugs but do not go over prescription to prevent addiction; not the first choice of intervention
- eg. ritalin

causes a feeling of pleasure but increases bloodpressure and heart rate

Question 6

Methamphetmine

Answer 6

is its own drug. not a category like amphetamines

longer half life than cocaine, thus, harder withdrawal effects

is more potent

restless, appetite, depression, anxiety, dry mouth, psychosis

a medication against obesity because of decreased appetite effects

Question 7

Depressants

Answer 7

Bariturates

benzodiazapines

Inhalants

• aerisols, paint, gas, glue
• less aircirulation

less psychostimulants than depressants

Question 8

Medical and Nonmedical uses

Answer 8

Alkaloid ephedrine from plant Ephedra vulgaris - origin of psychostimulant drugs

used in China as a herb Ma Huang

amphetamines is limited to ADHD treatments