Transcript Stimulants - Littleton High School

STIMULANTS
By: Sloane Smith and Mariah White
IB Chemistry
AMPHETAMINES
DEVELOPMENT
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Amphetamine was first synthesized by Lazar
Edeleano in Germany in 1887, but it only entered
clinical medicine in the late 1920s when its psychostimulant effect was recognized.
Amphetamine is structurally related to ephedrine, a
natural stimulant found in plants of the genus
Ephedra that was used to dilate the bronchial sacs of
the lungs in the treatment of breathing disorders. The
US medical and pharmaceutical establishment was
worried that supplies of Ephedra in faraway China
would be exhausted so an alternative was
synthesized. Amphetamine promised a cheap and
synthetic substitute.
EPINEPHRINE VS. AMPHETAMINE

Amphetamine is structurally related to epinephrine
(derived from the phenylethylamine structure)and
therefore produces similar results.

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Sympathomimetic drugs (substances that mimic the effects
of the sympathetic [fight or flight] nervous system)
Amphetamine:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/
Amphetamine_structure.png
Nonpolar
Epinephrine:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thum
b/2/2f/Epinephrine_structure.svg/426pxEpinephrine_structure.svg.png
Polar
HOW DO THEY WORK
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When ingested, many of the biological reactions
normally controlled by neurotransmitters are elicited.
Because it is not metabolized as rapidly as
adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine (these are
all polar where amphetamine is nonpolar), it remains
active in the body longer and effects can still be felt
four to six hours after oral ingestion of a relatively
small dose.
Use results in an increase the synaptic activity of the
dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitter
systems causing:
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the release of dopamine from axon terminals
blocking dopamine reuptake
Inhibition of the storage of dopamine in vesicles
Inhibition of the destruction of dopamine by enzymes
PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS

The drug results in a increased blood pressure,
heart rate, and body temperature, dilated pupils,
decreased appetite and fatigue, and stimulated
respiration, followed by feelings of happiness and
power . Using 10-15 mg daily allows an
individual to feel alert and confident in
performing physical and mental work providing
for an increase in levels of activity.
USES
 Commonly
used to treat ADHD in adults and
children, asthma symptoms of traumatic
brain injury, and daytime drowsiness
symptoms of narcolepsy and chronic fatigue
syndrome. Initially it was popular to
diminish the appetite and to control weight.
EXAMPLES
Dexedrine,
 Benzedrine,
 Ritalin,
 Adderall,
 Vyvanse,
 Methamphetamine ,
 and Ecstasy.

DEPENDENCY

Dependency arises from the desire to
continue and heighten the euphoric effects of
the drug. Long terms effects include:
insomnia, restlessness, “paranoid psychosis”,
hallucinations, violent and aggressive
behavior, weight loss, and tremors
INTERESTING FACTS
From 1942, Hitler received daily
methamphetamine injections
 During World War II amphetamine was
extensively used to combat fatigue and increase
alertness in soldiers
 Under Canada's Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act, possession of amphetamines or
their derivatives is a criminal offense

CAFFEINE
GENERAL INFORMATION
 Caffeine
= Trimethylxanthine
(C8H10N4O2)
 Found
in coffee beans, tea leaves, cacao
beans, some soft drinks, energy drinks, and
also some pain killers and other medicine.
 Caffeine
is addictive.
 Alkaloid:


Compounds from plants. They all have
nitrogen, a tertiary amine, and heterocyclic
rings.
Other examples: morphine, codeine, cocaine,
and nicotine.
USES

Medical Uses:
Mild diuretic
 Cardiac Stimulant
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Recreational Uses:
Increases alertness
 Increases concentration
 (Helps people to stay awake…)

HOW DOES CAFFEINE WORK?
Adenosine (a chemical found in the brain) bonds
to adenosine receptors.
1)
•
Caffeine because it is so structurally similar to
adenosine, is able to bind to adenosine
receptors, thus blocking adenosine.
2)
•
•
3)
Slows nerve cell activity and causes blood vessels to
dilate
Nerve cells speed up
Neuron firing increases
Pituitary glands tricked into producing
adrenaline
STRUCTURE
EFFECTS

Increases dopamine levels (like amphetamines,
heroine, and cocain)
Dopamine: Neurotransmitter . Activates “pleasure
center.”
 Linked to causes for addiction

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Sort-term Effects:
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Increases alertness, concentration, and restlessness
Long-term Effects:
Increased irritability and jumpiness
 Sleep problems

Caffeine’s half-life is about 6 hrs. (If 200mg is consumed at
3:00pm, 100mg will still be there at 9pm.)
 Increases dependency

ADDICTION…

“When you get in the cycle of using caffeine, you
have to keep taking the drug. Even worse, if you
try to stop taking caffeine, you get very tired and
depressed and you get a terrible, splitting
headache as blood vessels in the brain dilate.
These negative effects force you to run back to
caffeine even if you want to stop.”
-Marshall Brain, How Stuff Works
INTERESTING INFORMATION

Theobromine in chocolate, a chemical that is similar to
caffeine, is toxic to dogs (100-150 mg/kg of body weight)
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This can occur in humans too.
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CHOCOLATE POISONING
150 mg/kg
Children and infants should stay away from caffeine…
Recent studies have shown…:
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“Regular coffee drinkers are 80 percent less likely to
develop Parkinson's disease.
Two cups a day gives you 20 percent less risk of colon cancer.
Two cups a day causes an 80 percent drop in cirrhosis.
Two cups a day prevents gallstone development by 50 percent.
It has also shown to be beneficial in asthma,
stopping headaches, boosting mood and even preventing
cavities” (howitworks.com)
NICOTINE
GENERAL INFORMATION
C10H14N2
 Found in tobacco plant
 Sympathomimetic

Drug that mimics the effects of the sympathetic
nervous system (speeds heart, contracts blood
vessels)
 Increases concentration
 Releases tension


Absorbed through:
Skin
 Lungs
 Mucous membranes
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STRUCTURE
HOW IT WORKS
Once absorbed, Nicotine travels through the
blood stream to the brain. This then releases it to
the rest of your body.
 This happens quickly (10-15 minutes)
 Removal Process:

Enzymes in liver break about 80% down into
cotinine.
 Also metabolized in lungs to cotinine and nicotine
oxide.
 Cotinine is excreted through urine.
 Kidneys filter all remaining nicotine which is then
also excreted through urine.

HOW IT WORKS (CONTINUED)

Acetylcholine: Neurotransmitter.
Delivers signals from brain to muscles
 Controls functions such as heart beat, breathing, and
energy level
 Directs flow of information to brain

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When involving nicotine…:
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Neurons release more acetylcholine
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Activates “reward pathways”
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Heightened cholinergic activity (Increases awareness)
Gives you pleasant emotions → leads to addiction
Glutamate (neurotransmitter involved in memory
and learning) released
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Can create a “memory loop” of pleasant emotions
HOW IT WORKS (CONTINUED)
USES

Studies have shown that nicotine may slow an
on-set of Alzheimer’s Disease
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Cholinergic Nerves
May reduce symptoms of Turrette's Syndrome
PHYSICAL EFFECTS
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Short-term:
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Can relax and/or invigorate
Causes release of adrenaline
Long-term:
May block insulin release
 May increase basal metabolic rate

Burn more calories at rest
 HOWEVER, this may also increase LDL levels in the
body.
 Higher risk of heart attack or stroke.
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Increased risk of heart problems (disease), coronary
thrombosis, Emphysema, Cancer, and Stroke
Increase of stomach acid

Increased risk of peptic ulcers
SMOKING
 There

are 8 to 20mg of Nicotine per cigarette
Only 1mg is actually absorbed…
 Risks:

Chronic lung disease, cancers of the lung,
mouth, and throat, and it can cause problems
in pregnancies.
 Withdrawal

Symptoms:
Nausea, weight gain, insomnia, irritability,
and depression
INTERESTING INFORMATION
5% of the tobacco plant is nicotine.
 There is a genetic defect in which the liver cannot
process and break down nicotine. This causes
nicotine levels to stay higher for longer periods of
time without smoking.
 Nicotine increases the number of
neurotransmitters and chemicals in the brain
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Endorphins
WORKS CITED
Brain, M. (2008). How Stuff works. Hoboken, NJ:
Cartwell Books, Inc.
 http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/amp.html
 http://www.aadac.com/87_419.asp
 www.un.org/ga/20special/featur/amphet.htm
 http://www.well.com/user/woa/fsstim.htm
 http://medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/sympathomimet
ic
 http://health.howstuffworks.com/caffeine.htm
 http://health.howstuffworks.com/caffeine.htm
 http://www.natural-remedies-review.com/imagefiles/chemical-structure-caffeine.png
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