Stimulants

What is a stimulant? Central Nervous System Stimulant Speeds up activity in the brain and sympathetic nervous system Effects are similar the response revoked by fight-or-flight Heart rate accelerates, breathing deepens, muscle tension increases, heightened senses, and attention and alertness increase Keeps people going (mentally and physically) movement, fidgeting, and talking, and may produce feelings of euphoria and create a sense of energy and well- being

Examples of stimulants: Cocaine: Coke, snow, rock, blow, ye Caffeine: trimethylxanthine Adderall: Addys, speed, uppers, black beauties and a combination of two stimulant drugs, amphetamine and dextroamphetamine

Effects of stimulants: Caffeine Cocaine Adderall Why do people use it? Increase energy Creates an intense feeling Treat ADHD and Narcolepsy Side effects Insomnia; Nervousness; Stomach irritation; and Restlessness Anger/irritability; Extreme sensitivity to touch, sounds and sight; and Paranoia Restlessness; Agitation; and Excitability

Legality & Societal Perceptions Prohibition is largely seen as a failed social policy and new models for regulation of these substances is needed. The most popular new approach is a public health focused model which emphasizes an evidence-based approach. The old criminality approach had negative unintended consequences, such as preventing the establishment of a regulated system of drug control to ameliorate harms associated with abuse. Some public health based approaches have programs offering safe injection centers, and many also offer safe alternative substances used to "wing off" substance abusers.

The public health based approach can be broken up into five principles: Principal 1: Reduce harm - Criminalizing drug use increases potentials for harm to the individual and society. Set ‘em free! Principal 2: Social capital needs to be increased - Relationships have values! Improving school and family connections helps reduce risk of substance abuse and addiction. Principal 3: The culture of drug use needs to be understood and influenced - Public health advocates who understand drug culture are better able to use it to influence behaviors. Principal 4: The goal is to use the least restrictive intervention - Substances with greater potential harm like injectable and smokable preparations of cocaine should be controlled with more restrictive measures than substances with less potential for harm. Principal 5: Prevention and Treatment are vital - Prohibition must end so that treatment can begin.

Legality & Societal Perceptions The social stigma in America towards stimulants is less than that of other drugs due to America's Go-Go attitude, but it does still exist and the potential for abuse is still very much prevalent in our society. Due to the legality of many stimulants and the lower social stigma associated with them, they may have a higher potential for abuse (e.g. American's love to worship “Wolves” of Wallstreet who abuse cocaine and caffeine).

Are stimulants addictive? High potential for abuse and addiction Prolonged use can result in: Psychosis Hallucinations Delusions Paranoia Many people use prescription stimulants to enhance performance rather than to get high Higher doses intensify the effect, and the user can become excited, talkative, and have a false sense of confidence and power Physical withdrawal may occur when discontinuing use: Fatigue Depression Sleep disturbances Are stimulants addictive?

Routes of administration: Cocaine Intranasally (through the nose as a powder) Intravenously (dissolved in water and injected) Orally (rubbed on the gums) Inhaled (smoked in the form of crack)

Routes of administration: Caffeine Orally (most common route – beverages and tablets) Inhaling (multiple products on the market allow for inhalation of caffeine) Intranasally (through the nose when in powder form) Routes of administration:

Routes of administration: Adderall Orally (most common, tablet form) Intranasally (when crushed into powder form) Intravenously (dissolved in water and injected)

Any additional info? The US cocaine market exceeded $70 billion in 2005, exceeding revenues by corporations such as Starbucks. In 1884, cocaine was used during eye surgery to control bleeding and to numb the eye. Caffeine is the world’s most widely taken legal drug. Caffeine helps protect us against various diseases (i.e. heart disease and Alzheimer’s) because it is an antioxidant. Approved in 1960, Adderall is currently the most popular ADHD treatment drug and is the most commonly prescribed amphetamine in the US. Stimulants can improve memorization skills, but do not usually work for lond-term memory.