StimulantsStimulants

CaffeineCaffeine

It is a natural& mild It is a natural& mild stimulant present in:stimulant present in:

• Coffee;Coffee;

• Tea;Tea;

• Chocolate&Chocolate&

• Cola drinks.Cola drinks.

CaffeineCaffeine

• It isn’t abused but can lead It isn’t abused but can lead to serious health problems;to serious health problems;

• It increases mental It increases mental alertness;alertness;

• It provides a great feeling of It provides a great feeling of energy.energy.

• Studies conducted on this topic usually conclude that the effects of caffeine are dependent on the person

• Caffeine is a stimulant and it works by interfering with the brain chemical adenosine. Adenosine usually slows down activity and has a calming effect. Higher consumption of caffeine results in lower levels of adenosine and this is why caffeine puts off sleep and raises concentration levels

• The peak levels of caffeine in the blood are reached about 30 minutes after ingestion, and the half-life in the blood stream is about 4 hours

• Caffeine improves performance in things requiring “speed,” it is meant that tasks such as simple arithmetic and visual-choice reaction time

• Caffeine, then, would be ideal for a student preparing for a test that might require the use of these tasks.

• However, there is no solid evidence whether caffeine is or is not helpful in performing intellectual tasks. It has been shown that caffeine may worsen performance for more complicated tasks such as long word problems that are quite complex

• When caffeine intake becomes high – intakes of 200 milligrams (mg) and more

• nervousness,

• irritability,

• Irrigular heartbeat,

• and digestive system problems.

• Users tend to take longer to fall asleep, sleep less soundly, and wake more often than non-users.

• Caffeine can also be harmful to your bones by increasing calcium losses in the urine.

Are Some People More Affected byCaffeine Than Others?• The effect of caffeine is dependent in part,

on body weight.

• For example, only 12 ounces of cola (one can) may have the same effect on a young child as four cups of coffee would on an adult.

• In pregnant women, caffeine enters the bloodstream of the fetus. Caffeine intake equal to 5-6 cups of coffee a day has been shown to increase the number of birth defects in animals. Although this has not yet been documented in humans, it is wise for pregnant women to watch their caffeine intake.

• Studies are showing an increased risk of delivering an underweight baby for pregnant women with a caffeine intake of 150 mg. or more per day

Do People Have "WithdrawalSymptoms" When They Reduce or StopCaffeine Use?

• The main symptom a person may experience is headaches. Other symptoms include fatigue and depression. These should go away within one week.

Caffeine Withdrawal (12-14 hours after last intake)

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Sleepiness

• Drowsiness

• Difficulty concentrating

motivation for work/tasks

• Irritability

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Flu-like symptoms

• Impairment in psychomotor, vigilance and cognitive performances

Caffeine Withdrawal Headache• Caffeine is very similar in structure to

another chemical in our body called adenosine. One of adenosine's jobs is to dilate blood vessels in the head. Caffeine blocks this dilation. Your body then has to become more sensitive to adenosine to compensate. The only problem being that when caffeine is withdrawn, your body is overly sensitive to adenosine and blood vessels will dilate , creating a pounding headache .

Amphetamine is a psychostimulant drug that is known to produce: •increased wakefulness in association with •decreased fatigue and •decreased appetite.

Amphetamine is related to drugs that act by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain,

AmphetamineAmphetamine

The group includes prescription CNS drugs The group includes prescription CNS drugs commonly used to treat:commonly used to treat: •attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. It is also used to treat symptoms of •traumatic brain injury and •the daytime drowsiness symptoms of narcolepsy. •Initially, amphetamine was more popularly used to diminish the appetite and to control weight.

The drug is also used illegally as:The drug is also used illegally as: •a recreational drug and as •a performance enhancer. Recreational users of amphetamine have coined numerous nicknames for amphetamine, some of the more some of the more common street names for amphetamine common street names for amphetamine include:include: •speed and •crank. The name amphetamine is derived from its chemical name: alpha-methylphenethylamine..

Methamphetamines Sometimes Called:Sometimes Called: •speed, •uppers, •chalk, •ice, •glass, •Christmas tree, •crank (when injected).

Methamphetamine is:Methamphetamine is: • a white, • odorless, • bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily that easily

dissolves in:dissolves in: 1. water or 2. alcohol

and is taken:and is taken: • orally, • intranasally• by needle injection,• or by smoking.

What Adverse Effects DoesWhat Adverse Effects Does Methamphetamine Have on Health?Methamphetamine Have on Health?

Taking even small amounts of methamphetamine can Taking even small amounts of methamphetamine can result in many of the same physical effects of other result in many of the same physical effects of other stimulants, such as cocaine or amphetamines, stimulants, such as cocaine or amphetamines, including:including: •increased wakefulness, •increased physical activity, •decreased appetite, •increased respiration, •rapid heart rate, •irregular heartbeat, •increased blood pressure, and •hyperthermia.

Long-term methamphetamine abuse has many Long-term methamphetamine abuse has many negative health consequences, including:negative health consequences, including: •extreme weight loss, •severe dental problems (“meth mouth”), •anxiety, •confusion, •insomnia, •mood disturbances, and •violent behavior.