Stimulants Flashcards
Stimulant Plants
Coffea arabica L. (Rubiaceae) – coffee
◦ Caffeine
Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (Theaceae) – tea
◦ Caffeine, theophylline
Theobroma cacao L. (Malvaceae) – cacao
◦ Caffeine, theobromine
Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott & Endl. (Malvaceae) – kola nut
◦ Caffeine
Ilex paraguaiensis A. St.-Hil. (Aquifoliaceae) – Yerba mate
◦ Caffeine
Paullinia cupana Kunth (Sapindaceae) – Guarana
◦ Caffeine
Catha edulis Forssk. (Celastraceae) – Khat
◦ Cathinone
Ephedra sinica Stapf (Ephedraceae) – Ephedra
◦ Ephedrine
Erythroxylum coca Lam. (Erythroxylaceae) – coca
◦ Cocaine
Nicotiana tabacum L. (Solanaceae) – tobacco
◦ Nicotine
Areca catechu L. - Betel
◦ Arecoline
Examples of Social Plants
Alcohol Beverages Kava Cacao Tea Betel nut Kola nut Khat Tobacco
What is a social plant?
- Consumed in company
- Versatile means to construct and negotiate social occasions
- In environment with rules of inclusion/exclusion and comportment
- circumstances of use tend to be integrative
Receptor Mediated Mechanisms
Direct CNS adrenergic stimulation ◦ Caffeine,ephedrine Direct CNS cholinergic antagonism ◦ Nicotine, lobeline Indirect CNS Adrenergic stimulation ◦ Cocaine Other CNS stimulation ◦ theobromine
Coffee
Coffea Arabica- Rubiaceae
6th Century AD – leaves and fruit of wild trees chewed
Caffeine – stimulant alkaloid, hunger suppressant, reduce fatigue
Used medicinally to “influence humoral balance”
Rich antioxidant levels may = benefits for cardiovascular and inflammatory disease
Caffeine
Methylxanthine alkaloid
Mild stimulant
Side effects: insomnia, anxiety, can induce withdrawal syndrome, diuretic
Khat
Catha edulis
Native to Ethiopia (spread across N. Africa and Arabian Peninsula, popular in Yemen)
Fresh leaves and shoots chewed (by men)
◦ central to male socialization, recreational, and religious activities
Khat and health:
◦ used to treat fever, headache, depression, body pain, colds; Suppresses hunger & thirst, relieves pain, lowers blood pressure
◦ Cathinone (alkaloid) is similar to amphetamine – gives sensation of well-being & excitement, followed by insomnia, depression, anxiety
◦ Highly addictive
◦ Risk factor for esophogeal cancer & duodenal cancer
Cathinone
Cathinone is Schedule I in the United States. This means it
is illegal to manufacture, buy, possess, or distribute (sell,
trade, or give) without a DEA license.
“natural amphetamine”
produces sympathomimetic and central nervous system
stimulation analogous to the effects of amphetamine
Maté
Ilex paraguarensis
Water infusion/decoction of leaves & small stems
One of most heavily commercialized plants in S.
America today
Health impact:
◦Stimulant properties, high polyphenol content, benefit of
anti-inflammatory & diuretic
◦Has been linked to cancers of head & neck in heavy
consumption
Cacao
Theobroma Cacao Native to Mesoamerica, where it was domesticated Important in ancient ritual and ceremony for Maya Like tobacco smoking, cacao drinking came after the meal (signaling importance in sociability) Became popular in Europe in 1500’s
Cacao processing
Pods are opened to ferment (process removes much of
bitter quality to beans)
Beans separated from pulp, dried, and roasted
Outer shell removed and inner nib is crushed/heated to met
cacao butter
Ground into thick paste
◦ May be treated with alkaline salts
Cacao and health
Ancient Mesoamerican and early European uses:
◦ Put weight on emaciated patients
◦ Stimulate nervous system of feeble/weak
◦Improve digestion and bowel function
Pharmacology
◦ Flavanols – good for cardiovascular health
◦ Methylxanthines (stimulant alkaloids): theobromine, theophylline,
caffeine
◦ CNS stimulants, diuretics, relax smooth muscles
Tea
> 5,000 years old in China; cultivated for past 2,000 years
Part of the British and Dutch colonial expansion (Tea trade in Europe)
Tea and health
◦ Traditionally used in TCM for tooth decay, GI problems, lung disease, fever
◦ In Europe, used as tonic, for scurvy, stomachache, poor eyesight
Pharmacology
◦ Rich in flavanoids (EGCG) , cancer protective, reduce risk of inflammatory
diseases (i.e atherosclerosis)
◦ Tannin content can bind iron and reduce absorption – leading to anemia if
consumed in excess with food
Tea Parties
A good time overall
Cocaine
Tropane alkaloid
Alleviates symptoms of altitude sickness and fatigue
