D.5 Stimulants
Autonomic Nervous System
controls many involuntary (subconscious) processes, such as heart rate and digestion
Sympathetic Nervous System part of the autonomic nervous system that controls the fight-or-flight response





Increase
mental alertness, concentration
heart rate and breathing rate
blood glucose levels
blood flow to skeletal muscles (vasodilatation)
pupil dilation and sweating




Reduced
desire to sleep  insomnia
appetite
glycogen reserves in liver
blood flow to digestive system, organs (vasoconstriction)
Common Stimulants
o adrenalin (epinephrine)
o amphetamines  designer drugs methamphetamines (crystal meth, speed, crack), ‘ecstasy’
o nicotine
o caffeine
All stimulants tend to be highly addictive
o cocaine
due to the desired physiological and psychological effects and,
possibly more importantly, the depression and fatigue that follows.
Many people become addicted after just one dose (1 cigarette).
Methamphetamines are extremely addictive
Other street drugs are often laced with crystal meth to get the user addicted to the less addictive drug
D.5.1
List the physiological effects of stimulants
Stimulants
D.5.2
chemicals that stimulate the brain and CNS by increasing a person’s state of mental alertness
Other effects: decreased appetite, increased heart rate, increased wakefulness
Compare amphetamines and adrenaline
Adrenalin (epinephrine)
hormone and neurotransmitter made by adrenal glands
and released during stress
Amphetamine
sympathomimetic  mimics sympathetic system response
both have phenyl group (benzene ring) and amine group
2° amine and 3 alcohol (hydroxyl) groups
1° amine and NO other functional groups
increase heart rate, blood pressure, wakefulness, insomnia
increase heart rate, blood pressure, wakefulness, insomnia
euphoria followed by depression, irritability, and fatigue
followed by fatigue
larger doses followed by sudden exhaustion 
blackout/collapse
D.5.3
Discuss the short- and long-term effects of nicotine consumption.
Nicotine
mild stimulant found in tobacco leaves; alkaloid
Short-Term Effects
mild stimulating effect, relieve tension, increase alertness
increased heart rate, constricted blood vessels
high blood pressure
reduced urine output
Long-Term Effects
physical and psychological dependence; tolerance
increased risk of heart disease
increased risk of blood clots (coronary thrombosis)
excess stomach acid  peptic ulcers
Smoking Tobacco causes:
Cancer of lungs, mouth, throat (larynx)
Heart disease, arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
emphysema and bronchitis
adverse effects on pregnancy




D.5.4
Describe the effects of caffeine and compare its structure with that of nicotine.
Caffeine
mild stimulant found in coffee, tea, chocolate and colas; alkaloid
Short-Term Effects
mild stimulating effect, relieve tension, increase alertness
increased heart rate, constricted blood vessels
high blood pressure
increased urine output  diuretic
Long-Term Effects
psychological dependence only; some tolerance
increased risk of heart disease
increased risk of blood clots (coronary thrombosis)
excess stomach acid  peptic ulcers
Vasoconstriction  helps prevent the onset of migraines and reduces the severity of migraines
Structural comparison of nicotine and caffeine
nicotine
caffeine
5- and 6-membered rings; separated
heterocyclic with N replacing 1 C in each ring
5- and 6-membered rings; joined
heterocyclic with 2 N replacing 2 C in each ring
2 and 3 amines
2 and 3 amines; amides (N-C=O)