Lecture on Stimulants and their Effects

Overview

• Stimulants: Drugs that increase neural activity and bodily functions.
  • Examples include:
    • Everyday stimulants: Caffeine
    • Hardcore drugs: Cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, ecstasy
  • Nicotine found in cigarettes is also a stimulant and lies between the extremes.

Caffeine

• Effects:
  • Increases energy levels.
  • Can disrupt sleep patterns.
• Addiction and Withdrawal:
  • Physiologically addictive.
  • Withdrawal symptoms include headaches, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and depression.

Nicotine

• Effects:
  • Increases heart rate and blood pressure.
  • Heightens alertness.
  • Suppresses appetite, leading to potential weight gain when quitting due to return of appetite.
  • In high levels, can relax muscles and release neurotransmitters that reduce stress.
• Addiction and Withdrawal:
  • More addictive than caffeine.
  • Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, distractibility, and irritability.

Cocaine

• Effects:
  • Stimulates release of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
  • Leads to depletion of brain's supply of these neurotransmitters.
• Consequences:
  • Intense crash and depression post-use.
  • Possible emotional disturbances, suspicion, convulsions, cardiac arrest, or respiratory failure.

Amphetamines and Methamphetamines

• Effects:
  • Trigger release of dopamine.
  • Meth can cause euphoria lasting up to eight hours.
• Consequences:
  • Followed by irritability, insomnia, seizures, and depression.
  • Meth is highly addictive, leading to a focus on obtaining more of the drug.
  • Long-term use can impair the brain's ability to maintain normal dopamine levels.