stimulants Flashcards
what are stimulants
substances that increase activity of sympathetic nervous system
most common stimulants (6)
cocaine, crack, amphetamine, methamphetamine, caffeine, nicotine
cocaine prevalence in U.S.
one of world’s largest consumers of cocaine
black people are less likely than white to use powder and equally likely to use crack
coca leaves
cocaine, oral administration
powder cocaine
snorted, crosses BBB more easily
cocaine source
shrub native to Andes mountains
crack cocaine
smoked for quick and intense high
cocaine route of administration affects ____
amount of cocaine absorbed into bloodstream
cocaine speed of entry into brain (fastest to slowest route of administration)
smoked, injected, snorted, orally
cocaine metabolism system
cytochrome P450 system
cocaine mechanism of action
blocks pain pathways
blocks reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin (these increase)
schedule of cocaine
II, approved for local anesthetic
adverse effects of cocaine
irritability, hostility, fear, restlessness, paranoia, heart attack
acute effects of cocaine
euphoria and increased energy
increased confidence
sweating/chills
increased heart rate
decreased appetite and need for sleep
chronic use of cocaine
tolerance or reverse tolerance, short-lived withdrawal, irritability
cocaine dependence
weak physical dependence but strong psychological dependence, no FDA approved treatments
amphetamine
more popular than cocaine, more potent effects, stimulates CNS by increasing same neurotransmitters
brand names of amphetamine
adderall, ritalin, concerta
methamphetamine
more lipid soluble form of amphetamine, enters brain faster, more addictive
amphetamine route of administration
oral, injection, intranasal, smoked
amphetamine effect duration
12 hours
methamphetamine effect duration
8 hours
amphetamine mechanism of action
increased postsynaptic levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin to larger degree than cocaine
small doses effects of amphetamine
increase energy and alertness, reduced appetite
high doses effects of amphetamine
rush, intoxication, psychosis
meth specific effects
disinhibition, hypersexuality (but can decrease function)
difference between effects of cocaine and amphetamine
amphetamine has slower onset and longer duration but closely resemble one another
chronic use of stimulants
loss of neural tissue in prefrontal cortex
other stimulants
cathinone (khat) and bath salts
brain structures involved in effects of cocaine
increased dopamine in basal ganglia, prefrontal cortex, ventral tegmental area, nucleus acumbens
how have drugs laws for cocaine and crack contributed to racial disparities?
disproportionate incarceration rates and higher penalties for crack possession which was more common among blacks than powder cocaine
