Stimulants Flashcards
Stimulant List
Caffeine-Coffee, energy drink etc.
Nicotine-Cigarettes
Cocaine
Methamphetamine
Amphetamines
Methylphenidate: Concerta, Ritalin, Adderall for ADHD
Stimulant
Class of drug that elevate mood
Increase feelings of well-being
Increase energy
Increase alertness
Caffeine
- The activation of numerous neural circuits by caffeine also causes the pituitary gland to secrete hormones that in turn cause the adrenal glands to produce more adrenalin
- Adrenalin is the “fight or flight” hormone, so it increases your attention level and gives your entire system an extra burst of energy
- Research indicates that you get some stimulating effect from caffeine intake and any tolerance you build up is minimal
- Caffeine increases the production of dopamine in the brain’s pleasure circuits, thus helping to maintain the dependency on this drug-average of 90% Canadians
- Caffeine can create a physical dependency. The symptoms of withdrawal from caffeine begin within one or two days after you stop consuming it
- Withdrawal symptoms include: Headaches, nausea and sleepiness and affect about ½ people
Nicotine
- Nicotine imitates the action of a natural neurotransmitter called acetylcholine and binds to a particular type of acetylcholine receptor, known as the nicotinic receptor
- In between nicotine doses, chronic smokers maintain a high enough concentration of nicotine to deactivate the receptors and slow down their recovery. This is why smokers develop a tolerance to nicotine and experience reduced pleasure from it
- In smokers, repeated nicotine stimulation does increases the amount of dopamine released in the body-reward pathway
Cocaine
- power and crystallized
- Powder is a hydrochloride salt, made from the leaf of the Erythroxylum coca plant
- Crack is the smokable form of cocaine that is processed with ammonia or baking soda and water, and heated to remove the hydrochloride
Speedball
cocaine or crack combined with heroin or crack and heroin smoked together
How is cocaine used
- Snorted in powder form, through the nostrils, where the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream through the nasal tissues
- Injected, using a needle and syringe, to release the drug directly into the vein
- Heated in crystal form and smoked inhaled into the lungs
- Street dealers dilute cocaine with cornstarch, talcum power or sugar or with other drugs!
- Crack cocaine is smoked in a glass pipe
- Powder cocaine is usually snorted or injected (mainlining) or can be rubbed into mucous tissues i.e. gums. Snorting produces a high that is less intense but lasts longer
- Injecting or smoking cocaine produces a rapid high (rush) because it is absorbed in the blood stream quickly, intensifying its effects
Dopamine
Affects brain process that control movement, emotional response and ability to experience pleasure and pain
Plays crucial role in our mental and physical health
Dopamine’s effect on Parkinson’s disease & Schizophrenia
Parkinson’s disease = little to no dopamine (give L-DOPA)
Schizophrenia = excess dopamine
Cocaine’s effect on Dopamine
- Cocaine increases dopamine by preventing dopamine reuptake, leaving more dopamine in the synapse
- Cocaine binds to the dopamine and does not allow it to recycle. Get dopamine buildup and it floods the synaptic gap. Flood ends after about 30 min. and the person is left yearning to feel as he or she once did
Amphetamines
- Mimic the effect of adrenaline on the body
- Ritalin, Adderall, Cylert etc
- Known as uppers, bennies, jelly bean, wake ups, eye openers
- Medically used in1920s, initially used to treat asthma, bronchodilator
- WWII, over 72 million tabs were given to soldiers to keep them alert awake and aggressive
- Highly addictive, develop tolerance very quickly
- Increase the activity of the monoamine neurotransmitters: serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine
- The drugs stimulate the release of the monoamine neurotransmitters, which leads to elevated levels in the synapses.
Amphetamines Short-term Effects
Dry mouth
Anorexia: hence the diet pill!
H/A
Dilated pupils
Insomnia
Dry, itchy skin
Acne, sores
Fever, flushing & sweating
Uncontrollable movements
Elevated BP, increased HR, increased resp
Amphetamines Long-term effects:
Addiction
Withdrawal
GI and nutritional
Heart disease
Neurological damage
Psychological
Methamphetamines
Similar in structure to amphetamines
CNS stimulant
Made in clandestine labs with over-the-counter ingredients
Also known as: speed, meth, chalk, smoked form is known as ice, crystal, crank
White, odorless, bitter-tasting, crystalline power that easily dissolves in water or alcohol
Effects can last 6-8 hrs.
After initial rush there is a state of agitation
Methamphetamines Long-term
Extreme weight loss
Meth mouth
Anxiety
Confusion
Mood disturbances
Violent behavior
Psychotic features
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