Stimulants

Question 1

Meth Effects (parts stages)

Answer 1

• The “Rush”: Up to 35 min. increase in heart rate, blood pressure, high pleasure
• The “High”: 4-16 hours
  
  • The person feels very confidentà Aggressively smarter
  • Argumentative
  • Focused on insignificant behaviors
• •The “Binge”: Uncontrolled use of drug (3-15 days). Eventually no high, no rush.

Question 2

MDMA history

Answer 2

Synthesized in 1912 as an appetite suppressant Used in therapy bc of “increased empathy” Described as “penicillin of soul’ 2001 research as treatment for PTSD still not approved Schedule 1 (illegal)

Question 3

Pharmacokinetics MDMA

Taken, excretion, metabolized half life

Answer 3

• taken orally (75-120 mg)
• Metabolized in liver by CYP2D6
• Urine Excretion
• Half life 6 hours, primary effects 3 hours

Question 4

Mechanism of Action MDMA

Answer 4

• Increased secretion of serotonin into synapse; mood elevation
• Seratonin facilitates oxytocin & vasopressin (empathy)
• Dopamine & Norepinephrine also released as a result of serotonin
  
  • Norepinephrine causes hyperthermia
    
    • Combination of MD & physical activity- kidney failure
  • NE vessel constriction which reduced blood flow

Question 5

Dangers of MDMA

Answer 5

• Seratoninin syndrome: too much serotonin
  
  • increase in temperature, impairment of working memory & attention, psychosis
• Damages serotonin neurons protected by SSRI

Question 6

Therapeutic uses of amphetamines

Answer 6

ADHD meds

Narcolepsy

Apetite supressent

Question 7

Cocaine mechanism of action

Answer 7

• Blocks dopamine reuptake (DAT)
• Blocker of serotonin transporter (SERT)
• Less potent blocker of norepineprine transporter (NET) and serotonin transporter (SERT)
• Blocks the Na+ channels à Blocks action potential à Blocks nerve conduction à anesthesia
• It goes to ventral tegumental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex