Transcript Option D5: Stimulants

Option D5: Stimulants
Sohaib Hassan
Stimulants
• What are stimulants?
• Stimulants are drugs that increase a persons
state of Mental Alertness. All stimulants tend
to increase concentration. But other effects
vary according to the particular stimulant
List the physiological effects of
Stimulants
• List of physiological effects according to different
stimulants.( These will be covered as we go along)
• Remember: All stimulants tend to increase
concentration.
• These stimulants include
• Amphetamines
• Epinephrine(naturally occurring adrenaline)
• Nicotine
• Caffeine
Compare amphetamines and
Epinephrine(Adrenaline)
amphetamines and Epinephrine(Adrenaline) are
both chemically similar in that both are derived
from the Phenylethylamine structure
The difference between these is that
Amphetamines are synthetic chemicals that
mimic the effects of naturally occurring
Adrenaline(Epinephrine). Amphetamines are a
sympathomimetic drug which mimic the effect of
stimulation on the Sympathetic nervous system
How are amphetamines and
Epinephrine(Adrenaline) similar
Both amphetamines and Epinephrine(Adrenaline) are derived
from the Phenylethylamine structure shown on the left
Adrenaline contains a
secondary amine
Amphetamines contains a
primary amine
As we can see in the images above these are the structural differences
between both the stimulants shown above.
CLASSIFICATION OF AMINES
Primary (one R group
attached N atom)
Secondary( two R
groups attached to
the N atom)
Tertiary( threeR groups
attached the N
atom
Physiological effects of Adrenaline
• Adrenaline is known as the “fight or fight "hormone. It
is generated by the body in the face of an extreme and
immediate dangerous situation or when the body is
highly charged in situations such as when we go on a
rollercoaster.
• It is important to remember however that this is
generated by the body naturally in contrast to
Amphetamines which are produced synthetically.
• Some of the processes that the body undergoes
because of the production of adrenaline include
speeding of heart rate and increased sweat production
Physiological effects of Amphetamines
• Amphetamines mimic the effect that Adrenaline has on the
body which makes it a sympathomimetic drug which means
that it mimics the effect of stimulation on the sympathetic
nervous system which basically happens naturally because
of Adrenaline.
• Regular use can lead to both tolerance and dependence as
Llewellyn taught us about them yesterday.
• Short term effects include increase in heart rate and
breathing, dilation of pupils, decrease in appetite, followed
by fatigue, and possible depression as the effects wear off.
• Long term effects include weight loss, constipation, and
emotional instability.
Effects of Nicotine Consumption
• Like amphetamines nicotine is sympathomimetic,
it increases concentration and relieves tension.
• Stopping or quitting smoking can produce
temporary withdrawal effects by the body like a
craving for tobacco, nausea, weight gain,
insomnia irritability and depression.
• Some of the physical short term effects include
increased heart rate, and blood pressure, and
reduction in urine output.
• The Long term effects include increased risk of
heart disease and coronary thrombosis.
Nicotine effects continued
Nicotine structure
The stimulatory effects of Nicotine may also lead to the
excess production of stomach acid leading to an increased
risk of peptic ulcers.
Some other well known risks of smoking include chronic
lung diseases, adverse side effects on pregnancy, and
cancers of the mouth, lung, and throat.
Caffeine
• Most widely used stimulant in the world!
• It is present in: Coffee, Tea, Chocolate, cola
drinks, painkillers, and medicines.
• If consumed more than 400 mg a day then it can
cause dependence and physical side effects.
• Caffeine is a respiratory stimulant when
consumed in large amounts it can cause: anxiety,
irritability, and sleeplessness.
• It is also a weak diuretic which means it causes
frequent urination, increased alertness,
concentration, and restlessness.
An interesting comparison in both
Nicotine and Caffeine structures
Caffeine
Both caffeine and Nicotine contain a tertiary
amine group.