Transcript
STIMULANTSSTIMULANTSthe drugs that get you going the drugs that get you going
Ben WeissmanAlex CaslerSilong Yang
WHAT ARE STIMULANTS?• Similar to
monoamine neurotransmitters– Similar chemical
structure to• Dopamine• Norepinephrine• Serotonin
SEROTONIN
MONOAMINES• Monoamine
neurotransmitters are neurotransmitters and neuromodulators that contain one amino group that is connected to an aromatic ring by a two-carbon chain
CHEMICAL STRUCTURE
Norepinephrine
SOME STIMULANTS• Amphetamine• Methamphetamine• Cocaine• Ephedra• Ibogaine• Nicotine• Caffeine
http://www.canpages.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/image-of-cocaine.jpg
http://www.clivir.com/pictures/smoking/cigarettes1.jpg
COCAINE
CIGARRETES (NICOTINE)
HISTORY OF STIMULANTS• Chinese physicians used the ephedra plant
(Ephedra vulgaris) over 5000 years ago– Ephedrine isolated in 1880s
• South Americans chewed leaves of Coca plant (Erythroxylon coca) 2000 years– Cocaine isolated in 1800s
• Leaves of the Khat shrub (Catha edulis) have been chewed in East Africa and Middle East– Cathinone isolated in 1970s
HISTORY OF STIMULANTS • Native North and South Americans have been
chewing and smoking tobacco for at least 500 years– Nicotine isolated in 1828
• Amphetamine synthesized in Germany in 1887– Starting in the 1920s, it was used to treat various
diseases and conditions• epilepsy, schizophrenia, alcoholism, opiate
addiction, migraine, head injuries, irradiation sickness, ADHD, narcolepsy
• Used heavily by US soldiers in Vietnam War
• Crystal Methamphetamine synthesized in Japan in 1919
BANNING STIMULANTS
• Cocaine outlawed by USA (without prescription) in 1914
• All amphetamines (including meth) followed in 1965
CLINICAL USES - COCAINE• Sigmund Freud
suggested it was a “miracle drug” in 1880s– Anasthesia, depression,
indigestion, asthma, neurosis, syphilis, drug addiction, alcohol addiction
• Used in Coca-Cola– Now the leaves are
used with the cocaine removed beforehand
• Only approved use now is as local anasthetic
CLINICAL USES - AMPHETAMINES• First used to treat narcolepsy
– Not curative but quelled symptoms
• Since then, has been used widely– Treatment of Parkinson’s disease,
depression, epilepsy, psychopathic states, ADHD, obesity
• Used by soldiers to increase both long- and short-term wakefullness
HOW STIMULANTS WORK• Increase synaptic activity of
monoamine neurotransmitters– Dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin
• Stimulants are indirect agonists– Increase ability ability of
neurotransmitters to act without directly affecting the receptors
• Each drug in this group works differently, but has the same final outcome
HOW COCAINE WORKS• Blocks destruction
of monoamines in brain– This increases
time that the monoamines can bind to receptors
HOW AMPHETAMINES WORK• Stimulate release of
dopamine and norepinephrine from terminals
• Inhibits reuptake, increasing ability to activate receptors
• Inhibits monoamine oxidase, which destroys monoamines
• Can directly activate catecholamine receptors, increasing monoamine activity
Benefits of Cocaine• Increases
wakefulness/alertness• Elevates mood• Euphoria• Increased athletic
performance• Decreased fatigue• Clearer thinking• Increased concentration• Increased energy
Negatives of Cocaine• Irritability • Insomnia• Restlessness• Confused/disorganized
behavior• Fear• Paranoia• Hallucinations• Antisocial• Agressive
Dangers of Cocaine• Increased blood
pressure/heart rate• Increased body
temperature and sweating
• Faster breathing rate• Decreased sleep/appetite• Seizures• Strokes• Heart attacks• Death
Benefits of Meth
• Increased energy/alertness\
• Decreased need for sleep
• Increased sexuality
• euphoria
Negatives of Meth
• Weight loss• Sweating• Grinding teeth• Anorexia• Decreased labido• Itching• Delusions of
grandeur
Dangers of Meth• Hallucinations• Nausea/vomiting• Diarrhea• Hyperactivity• Shortness of breath• Moodiness• Anxiety/nervousness• Panic/paranoia
Dangers of Meth Cont.• Uncontrollable
movements and twitching• Violent behavior• Severe depression/ suicide• Fatal kidney and lung
diseases• Brain damage• Psychological problems• Weakened immune
system• Liver damage
Benefits of Amphetamines
• Increased alertness
• Increased motivation
• Increased talkativeness
• Sense of well-being
Negatives of Amphetamines• Anorexia• Flushing• Loss of
coordination• Restlessness• Headache• Insomnia • Numbness• Itchy skin
Dangers of Amphetamines• Agressiveness• Increased
heartbeat• Irregular heartbeat• Increased
breathing rate• Increased blood
pressure• Fever• Diarrhea
Dangers of Amphetamines Cont.• Blurred vision• Impaired speech• Dizziness• Uncontrollable
movements• Impotence• Convulsions• Acne/sores• Psychotic episodes
Benefits of Nicotine
• Relaxation • Sharpness• Calmness• Alertness• Reduced appetite
resulting in weight loss
Dangers of Nicotine
• Increased blood pressure/heart rate
• Heart attack• stroke• Respiratory
illnesses• Extremely
addictive
CaffeinePositives• Alertness• Reduces boredom• Increased
physical staminaNegatives• Anxiety• Nervousness• insomnia
Benefits of Ephedrine
• Induces perspiration
• Warms body• Relieves
wheezing• Moves fluids
Negatives of Ephedrine• Overuse causes
amphetamine-like effects
• Elevated blood pressure
• Insomnia• Dry mouth • Heart palpitations • Nervousness• Muscle disturbances • Heart failure
Withdrawal Effects from Stimulants
• Craving• Exhaustion• Depression• Mental confusion• Restlessness and
insomnia• Deep or disturbed
sleep• Extreme hunger• Psychotic reaction• Anxiety
Social Effects of Stimulants
• Isolation• Devastating
financial strain• Dysfunctional
relationships• Destruction of
families• Job loss
Economic Effects of Stimulants• Users become broke• Users steal money;
tax dollars pay for addicts
• Money for education and public services wasted
• Prevent otherwise able people from contributing to society/economy
top related