Stimulants

=**STIMULANTS**=

__What are__ __stimulants?__
Stimulants are drugs that alter a person's mental alertness. This means that when a stimulant is consumed, it causes an immediate increase on the mind's concentration and allows the person to become more aware of his/her surroundings. All stimulants have the same purpose of awakening one's mind and body, but there are other physiological effects that are particular to each type of stimulant.


 * Major Medical Use:
 * Stimulants are used regularly to treat many disorders. The most common use of medical stimulants is treatment for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). This disorder is characterized by the persistent patterns of inattention, more observable in the latter developmental stages of children. ADHD is normally able to be diagnosed at the age of 7. Although the symptoms usually mitigate to certain extents as individuals approach adolescence, 30-50% of childhood diagnoses persist onto adulthood. It is estimated that 3-5% of the global childrean population suffers ADHD.
 * Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine, a neuro transmitter of brain chemical, in the human brain. When dopamine levels are increased, attention, pleasure and movement happen more readily, effectively alleviating the symptoms of ADHD. Doses are usually monitored with prescription, starting with low level doses and gradually increasingly. When taken without prescriptions, symptoms similar to that of euphoria are apparent, making addiction a possible risk. []

__Physiological Effects of Stimulants__
__Amphetamine__ It is a sympathomimetic drug, which means that it resembles the effect of stimulation on the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is the one in charge of the heart beat and the increase on the sweat production of the body. They are usually used recreationally or as performance enhancers. It is usually attributed to feelings of superiority and grandiosity as well as euphoria. Withdrawl symptoms include increased appetite, mental fatigue, depression, excessive and profound REM sleep and in severe cases, suicidal ideation.
 * Short term effects
 * Increase in heart rate
 * Increase in breathing rate
 * Dilation of pupils
 * Decrease in appetite
 * Increase in alertedness and focus
 * Decrease in fatigue


 * Long term effects
 * Weight loss
 * Arrhythmia
 * Constipation (from lack of food intake)
 * Emotional instability

__Caffeine__ It is the most popular stimulant worldwide for it is found in most common beverages such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Not only is it found in these types of drinks, but it is also present in painkillers and other medicines. Since caffeine causes constant urination, it is known as a diuretic (substances that increase the volume of urine) as well as a respiratory stimulant. However, regular intakers of caffeine grow quickly accustomed to the diuretic properties and are tolerant to them.
 * Effects when consumed in regular amounts. Mild doses produce symptoms that last about 3-5 hours. Caffeine does not eliminate tiredness. Rather, it reduces the sensation of sleepiness.
 * Increases alertness
 * Increases concentration
 * Increases restlessness

[] Answer to these questions:
 * Effects when consumed in large amounts
 * Anxiety
 * Irritability
 * Sleeplessness[[image:Dibujossssss.jpg width="800" height="382"]]
 * 1) a) tertiary
 * 2) b) amide

__Nicotine__ This stimulant acts as amphetamines do, for they are also sympathomimetic. Nicotine is the main element of tobacco which is what causes it to be addictive. In fact, nicotine addiction is regarded as the hardest addiction to break, with addiction symptoms being similar to those of heroin and cocaine.
 * Short term effects
 * Increases concentration
 * Relief of tension
 * Increase heart rate
 * Increase blood pressure
 * Reduction in urination


 * Long term effects
 * Increased risk of heart disease
 * Coronary thrombosis


 * Stimulatory effects
 * Excess production of stomach acid, which potentially leads to stomach ulcers


 * Smoking effects
 * Chronic lung diseases
 * Unfavorable effects on pregnancy
 * Cancers of the lung, mouth, and throat

__Comparison between Amphetamines and Adrenaline__
__Amphetamines__ As said before, amphetamines are sympathomimetic drugs, which imitate the response from the sympathetic nervous system when it is stimulated. This stimulant is chemically made to imitate the effects of adrenaline. Many countries such as the United States forbid the use of amphetamines unless they are directed or prescribed by a doctor. Amphetamines can be found as Benzedrine, Dexedrine, and Methamphetamine or speed. Physicians usually prescribe amphetamines to decrease appetite in order for the patient to lose weight, to control narcolepsy, a chronic sleep disorder, or to treat children with hyperkinesis, which is a brain disorder that maintains the child's brain in constant activity and diminishes their ability to concentrate. //Drug abuse video done by students: media type="youtube" key="-byWNv6Y8qI?fs=1" height="385" width="480"//

__Adrenaline__ Adrenaline is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands which are located in the kidney. This hormone is also known as epinephrine, which is in charge of helping the body to adjust to abrupt stress increases. When a person suddenly becomes angry or scared, the adrenal glands release adrenaline into the blood stream. This causes the body to be more alert and more efficient for "fight or flight", which is the body's response when a threat or a danger is perceived. When this occurs, the heart rate increases or speeds up and blood pressure increases causing the body to have a burst of energy and strength.

These two stimulants are derived from the phenylethylamine structure making them chemically similar to each other.

i) Ecstasy and 4-MTAare sympathomimetic drugs. Identify the structural similarity between the two drugs and epinephrine (adrenaline), the structure of which is given in Table20 of the Data Booklet. 2 (ii) Outline what is meant by the term sympathomimetic drug and state two examples of short-term effects sympathomimetic drugs have on the human body. 3 (iii) State one example of a long-term effect of taking stimulants.

Answers to these questions: > or benzene ring linked to two carbon atoms attached to an amine group; 1 > Any two of the following: > stimulate the sympathetic nervous system; speed up the heart rate; > increase sweat production; increase rate of breathing; 3 max []
 * (i) all contain the phenylethylamine structure/contain an arene
 * (ii) sympathomimetic drugs mimic the effect of adrenaline;
 * (iii) weight loss/constipation/emotional instability;


 * Phenylethylamine structure:**