What are STIMULANTS? & What are their EFFECTS? By: Alexis Rogers Block 2A: AP Psychology By: Alexis Rogers Block 2A: AP Psychology.

What are STIMULANTS?& What are their EFFECTS?

By: Alexis Rogers

Block 2A: AP Psychology

What are stimulants?

A stimulant is defined as a substance that will increase the levels of psychological or nervous activity in the body. Stimulants also elevate blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration.

Different types of stimulants?

Caffeine

Ginseng

Guarana

L-Tyrosine

Gotu Kola

Taurine

• Some stimulants are found in the foods/beverages/vitamins you consume.

• …others are categorized as drugs.

Nicotine

Amphetamines

Adderall

Dexedrine

Cocaine

Ritalin

GOOD & BAD

Any of these look familiar to you?

What about the effects of these stimulants?

Guarana:

-Described as a natural Ritalin

-Studies show that this stimulant helps improve cognitive functions such as memory, concentration, and increased task performance

-Being tested in an attempt to provide cognitive improvement of those who suffer from “chemo-brain”

Ginseng:

-One of the most common herbal stimulant

-Reduce blood sugar

-Improve cognitive performance

-Useful for people with ADD

-Boosts immune system

L-Tyrosine:

-Is a building block for many neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine)

-Helps with alertness

Gotu Kola:

-Improves circulation

-Improves mental clarity

-Augments memory

-Reduce anxiety

-Boosts immune system when stressed

Taurine:

-Improves athletic performance, energy, and stamina

-Helps protect against damage to the central nervous system

-Has been proved to reverse some damages done to smoking

Caffeine:

-Essentially effects the central nervous system

-Increases alertness

-Can cause insomnia

-Can cause headaches, nervousness, and dizziness

Do any of these look familiar as well?

What about the effect of these stimulants too?

Nicotine:

-Acts as both a stimulant and a sedative

-Addictive

-Increases levels of dopamine

-Results in the release of adrenaline

Amphetamines:

-Stimulates the central nervous system

-Increases heart rate, blood pressure, and decreases appetite

-Can cause restlessness and hides symptoms of tiredness

-You can become dependent on the stimuli if you use it too often

Ritalin:

-Used to treat ADD, ADHD, and narcolepsy

-Mood swings

-Increases ability to pay attention, stay focused on one activity

-Help improve listening skills

-changes amount of natural substances in the brain

Adderall:

-Used to tread ADD and narcolepsy

-Stimulates the central nervous system

-Increases alertness

-Contributes to hyperactivity and impulse control

Dexedrine:

-Stimulates the central nervous system

-Improves attention span and behavior

-Restlessness

Cocaine:

-Interferes with neurotransmitters

-Increase of energy and alertness

-Restlessness

-Anxiety

-Elevated mood

-Paranoia

-Extreme excitement

-Can cause strokes, heart attacks, and seizures

Click the link below if you’re interested in a video…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x93935bpvs

Bibliography

"Adderall." Information from Drugs.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2014. <http://www.drugs.com/adderall.html>.

"Amphetamine." Information from Drugs.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2014. <http://www.drugs.com/amphetamine.html>.

"Dexedrine." Tablets: Indications, Side Effects, Warnings. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2014. <http://www.drugs.com/cdi/dexedrine.html>.

"Neuroscience for Kids - Caffeine." Neuroscience for Kids - Caffeine. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2014. <http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/caff.html>.

"Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction." What are stimulants?. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2014. <http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-drugs/stimulants/what-are-stimulants>.

"The Best Natural Stimulants For Increased Energy and Weight Loss." The Best Natural Stimulants For Increased Energy and Weight Loss. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2014. <http://healthwyze.org/index.php/component/content/article/332-the-best-natural-stimulants-for-increased-energy-and-weight-loss.html>.

"What are stimulants?." YouTube. YouTube, 13 Feb. 2012. Web. 3 Feb. 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x93935bpvs>.

"cocaine." psychology today . N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2014. <http://m.psychologytoday.com/conditions/nicotine>.