1. Stimulants
“Chemical Uppers”

2. Pharmacology Administration Action Ingestion Injection Inhalation
Causes release of excitatory neurotransmitter – norepinephrine, dopamine, adrenaline
Prevents release of inhibitory neurotransmitter - adenosine

3. Physiological Effects
Increase CNS activity – alertness
Increase concentration
Increase heart rate
Increase blood pressure
Increase metabolism
Decrease appetite
Euphoria

4. Psychological Effects
Decrease perception of fatigue
Feel stronger, more decisive, & more self-possessed
Feelings of paranoia, hallucinations, moodswings, anxiety, and irritability possible

5. Cocaine Natural stimulant; made from coca leaves
Only medical use is throat or nasal surgery
Purity?
Administration / Effects
“Snorted” – onset in 3-5 min, lasts min.
Intravenous administration – lasts 10 min.
Adverse effects
Irregular heart beat
“Crack” – form of cocaine; formed into crystals then smoked; effects seen in seconds

6. Amphetamines Medical uses
Narcolepsy
Hyperactivity
Appetite suppressant
Recreational uses – mood altering effects (“pep”)
Athletic uses
Increase blood flow to muscles
Decrease sense of fatigue
Improve reaction time
Go beyond normal physiological limit
Increase time of productive work

7. Xanthines Blocks inhibitory neurotransmitter Caffeine – Theophylline
Most common stimulant; many consider it harmless
of the xanthines has greatest stimulant effects
Theophylline
Found in tea
Used as active ingredient in some OTC bronchodilators
Theobromine
Small stimulant effect
Found in Chocolate

8. Physiological Effects of Caffeine
Increase metabolism
Increase blood pressure
Increase heart rate
Decrease appetite
Increased alertness, decrease fatigue
Vasoconstriction in the brain
Diuresis
Increase stomach acid release

9. Other Effects of Caffeine
Withdrawal symptoms
Caffeine & Diseases
Ergogenic effects?
IOC - 12µg/ml
NCAA - 15µg/ml

10. Ephedrine From Ephedra shrub
Found in many natural health products – Ma Huang & OTC products – asthma, weight loss
FDA approval for asthma and decongestant
Substitute for MDMA (“ecstasy”)

11. Effects of Ephedrine Physiological effects Side effects
Broncholilator, increase heart rate, increase blood pressure
Side effects
Dizziness, irritability, anxiety
Adverse effects
Stroke, heart attack, seizures, liver failure, insomnia, risk increases if used with caffeine
Banned by IOC & NCAA