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Central Nervous System Stimulants 9, 10, 11
Cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, nicotine and even caffeine stimulate brain and/or spinal cord activity. The physiologic process for each is slightly different. These substances (along with opiates and opioids) powerfully activate the brain's reward system and decrease the rewarding effect of normal behavior.
Action & Use
Cocaine prevents the reabsorption of dopamine, which results in intense feelings of pleasure. Effects occur within a few minutes and disappear within an hour. Because of its immediate effects, cocaine is highly addictive.
Crack is an even more addictive form of cocaine. Unlike cocaine, the effects of crack only last a few minutes and many users become addicted after their first use of the drug. There are more hospitalizations per year resulting from crack and cocaine use than any other illicit substance. 10
Amphetamines may be used medically to treat attention deficit disorders and obesity among other conditions. They are also used to avoid sleep and improve performance. Amphetamines act by altering the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Methamphetamine initially causes release of dopamine and norepinephrine from their storage vesicles in the neuron. Once released, methamphetamine prevents the breakdown of dopamine and norepinephrine within the nerve cell. This excess of neurotransmitters is then carried into the synapse. Increased, synaptic concentrations of dopamine causes feelings of euphoria, while excess norepinephrine may be responsible for the alertness and anti-fatigue effects of methamphetamine.
Nicotine is only found in the tobacco plant. Nicotine stimulates acetylcholinergic receptors located in the pleasure center of the brain. Nicotine is highly addictive.
Caffeine, the most widely used stimulant, inhibits an enzyme that acts as a messenger for several neural transmission systems including norepinephrine. It does not ordinarily pose a threat to health.
Adderall® 12, a single-entity amphetamine product, was introduced in 1996 as instant-release tablets, which has since become available as the generic formulation "mixed amphetamine salts." The active ingredients of Adderall include a combination of dextroamphetamine and racemic amphetamine salts. The sale of Adderall XR has been suspended in Canada due to fatalities related to its use. Reports of misuse by children and teens include crushing the drug and then snorting or smoking the powder.
Ritalin®, Concerta®,and Strattera®, are other drugs commonly prescribed to children to control attention deficit disorder.
Table 9: CNS Stimulants |
General Effects
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- Increase nervous system activity
- Increase heart rate and blood pressure
- Increase gastric and adrenal secretions
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Xerostomia
- Headache
- Fever
- Loss of coordination
- Mood swings
- Loss of appetite
- Dilated pupils
- Long periods without sleep (24-120 hours) followed by long periods of sleep (24-48 hours) (methamphetamine)
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Method(s) of
Administration |
- Snorted
- Smoked
- Injected
- Ingested
- Rubbed into gums
- Rectal insertion
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| Withdrawal Symptoms |
- Depression
- Severe hunger
- Exhaustion
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| Mental Symptoms |
- Paranoia
- Anxiousness
- Nervousness
- Agitation
- Extreme Mood Swings
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
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Depressants
