1. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Stimulants
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

2. Stimulants Speed up impulses through the central nervous system
There are four major types of stimulants
Cocaine
Amphetamines
Nicotine
Caffeine
The effects of stimulants include:
euphoria
a sense of well being
perception of enhanced clarity and speed of thought
paranoia
increased heart rate and blood pressure
reduced appetite
restlessness
insomnia
the shakes

3. Caffeine
The most commonly used simulant in the world.
Found in coffee, tea, chocolate, cola drinks, energy drinks, stay awake tablets and diet pills
Pure caffeine is a white powder with a bitter taste that is noticeable in coffee.

4. Caffeine
Caffeine is absorbed through the walls of the stomach and small intestine.
Here it passes into the bloodstream and travels through the body to the brain.
Caffeine uses the same mechanisms that amphetamines, cocaine and heroin use to stimulate the brain.
Caffeine effects adenosine levels which effects sleep patterns.

5. Adenosine Influences sleep patterns.
Adenosine causes drowsiness by attaching to adenosine receptors, slowing the rate of impulse transmission and dilating the blood vessels.
This allows more oxygen to be supplied as sleep causes the breathing rate to drop.
Caffeine mimics adenosine and binds to the adenosine receptors, so that adenosine cannot reach the receptors.
Since the receptors do not detect adenosine, the rate of impulses transmission does not slow down but speeds up slightly.

6. Caffeine
The increases rate of transmission triggers the adrenal glands to produce epinephrine (adrenaline).
Adrenaline cause increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, greater blood flow to the muscles and increased energy levels.
This causes you to feel more alert.
Caffeine also manipulates dopamine production in the pleasure centres of the brain making it addictive.

7. Effects of Caffeine
The effects of caffeine if you consume between 75 and 150 milligrams of caffeine a day include:
Slight increase in metabolism
Higher breathing and heart rate
Increased energy levels
Increased concentration
The effects of caffeine if you consume between 250 and 750 milligrams of caffeine a day include:
Headache
Restlessness
Nausea
Muscle tension
Rapid heart rate
Disturbed sleep
Nervousness
Unsteady hands

8. Withdrawal
As caffeine manipulates dopamine concentration in the nucleus accumbens (pleasure centre of brain) it can be addictive
Consumption of more than 350 milligrams per day can cause a physical dependence on it
Withdrawal symptoms can include:
Severe headaches
Irritability
Fatigue

9. Cocaine
Extracted from the leaves of the coca plant which is found naturally in South America
Most of the world’s cocaine comes from Colombia, Peru and Bolivia.
Cocaine was originally used as a medicine for its ability to numb nerves.
Cocaine can be inhaled nasally (snorted), smoke (crack cocaine), or injected each of these methods allow the drug to enter the blood stream quickly.

10. Cocaine
Acts by blocking the reuptake (‘mopping up’) of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin.
This increases the concentration of the neurotransmitters in the synapses.
Increased concentrations of:
Dopamine causes euphoria
Serotonin causes confidence
Norepinerphrine causes increased energy
Cocaine’s effect is short causing the user to repeatedly administer cocaine to re-experience its effects

11. Amphetamines Also known as speed Synthetic stimulants
Increases the level of norepinephrine resulting in increased levels of energy and alterness.
Often found as a powder and used as capsules, sniffed through a narrow tube, prepared for injection, swallowed in a drink or smoked with tobacco.

12. Amphetamines
Originally issued to combat troops in WWII to keep them fighting in the absence of food.
Then used as an appetite suppressant to control weight and increase metabolism.
Have been used to treat disorders including narcolepsy and ADHD and to combat fatigue
Also increase the concentration of dopamine in the synaptic gap by forcing dopamine out of the neuron in the synapse.

13. Nicotine One of the most addictive drugs
Found in the leaves of the tobacco plant
In its pure for nicotine is a colourless liquid that turns brown when burned
When burned nicotine is delivered to the brain within 10 seconds on inhaling.

14. Nicotine Once in the body: Once in the CNS:
Nicotine simulates the adrenal glands causing epinephrine to enter the blood stream
Once in the CNS:
Binds to the acetylcholine receptors.
Together this raises blood pressure and breathing putting the body in an alert state.
Giving the user the impression they can think ‘more clearly’ after smoking.
It can also have a sedative effect on users who are stressed.