Option D – Medicine and Drugs – D5.1 & D5.2 Stimulants By Chika John

Stimulants physiological effects Stimulants are drugs that increase a person’s state of mental alertness. All stimulants tend to increase concentration. But other physiological effects vary according to the particular stimulant. Caffeine Effects- wakefulness, alertness, increased metabolism, slows reaction time Withdrawal- headache, depression, fatigue Nicotine Effects- calm, alertness, lowered appetite, increased pulse rate and metabolism Withdrawal- irritability, anxiety, restlessness, increased appetite Amphetemines Effects- increased metabolism, alertness, elevated mood, suppressed appetite, Withdrawal- fatigue, increased appetite, depression, excessive sleep, irritability, anxiety Cocaine Effects- euphoria, energy boost, excitement, suppressed appetite Withdrawal- depression, fatigue, increased appetite, excessive sleep, irritability

Amphetamines Amphetamine is chemically related to adrenaline. It is a sympathomimetic drug, that is, one which mimics the effect of stimulation on the sympathetic nervous system. This part of the nervous system deals with subconscious nerve responses, such as speeding up the heart and increasing sweat production. amphetamines were initially used to treat narcolepsy (an uncontrollable desire for sleep) and were issued to airmen in WW2 to combat fatigue In the 1950s and 1960s they were used as anti-depressants and slimming pills. Regular use can lead to tolerance and dependence. short term effects: increase in heart rate and breathing, dilation of the pupils, decrease in appetite followed by fatigue and possible depression as the effects wear off. long term effects: include weight loss, constipation, and emotional instability

Comparison of the Structures (similarities and differences) Both based on the phenylethylamine structure Both have a benzene (aromatic) ring with a hydrocarbon chain containing an amine. Primary amine (1 C atom attached to N atom) in amphetamine and secondary amine (2 C atoms attached to N atom), NH in epinephrine. Epinephrine has three hydroxy (-OH) groups while amphetamine has none

Ecstasy Modifications to the structure of amphetamines have produced several designer drugs. One of these, ecstasy, may relieve the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease but is frequently abused. It produces mental relaxation, increased sensitivity to stimuli, and sometimes hallucinations. It can produce severe and sometimes fatal effects even after a single dose