Lecture Notes on Cocaine, Amphetamines, Caffeine, and Nicotine

Flashcards reviewing the effects, mechanisms, and long-term consequences of using cocaine, amphetamines, caffeine, and nicotine.

What are common ways to ingest cocaine?

Snorting it as a powder or smoking it as crack cocaine.

How does cocaine affect the bloodstream when smoked versus snorted?

Smoking cocaine results in a quicker peak in the bloodstream compared to snorting.

How quickly does cocaine clear from the body?

Cocaine clears from the body relatively quickly, with a half-life of about half an hour to an hour and a half.

What are the typical effects of cocaine?

Cocaine typically makes people feel euphoric, confident, full of energy, alert, and talkative.

What neurotransmitters are affected by cocaine?

Cocaine affects synapses that use monoamines as neurotransmitters, specifically serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline.

How does cocaine affect neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft?

Cocaine blocks reuptake channels, causing neurotransmitters to stay in the synaptic cleft longer.

What is the role of reuptake channels?

Reuptake channels recycle neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft back into the presynaptic terminal.

What are the long-term effects of cocaine use on neurotransmitter levels?

Long-term cocaine use depletes neurotransmitter levels in the presynaptic terminals due to lack of recycling.

What physical damage can long-term cocaine use cause?

Long-term cocaine use can destroy the nasal septum due to vasoconstriction.

What psychological symptoms can long-term cocaine use induce?

Long-term cocaine use can induce schizophrenia-like symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions.

What is mainly responsible for the addictiveness of cocaine?

The dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens is responsible for the addictiveness of cocaine

How does cocaine affect noradrenergic synapses?

Cocaine causes the released noradrenaline to remain in the synapse for a longer time, increasing its effect.

What is the legal classification of cocaine in some countries?

Cocaine is a Class A drug, meaning it is illegal to possess, sell, or give away.

How do amphetamines primarily affect reuptake channels?

Most amphetamines reverse the reuptake channels, pushing neurotransmitters out into the synaptic cleft.

How does caffeine affect the body?

Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, leading to alertness, wakefulness, increased cardiac contractions, and constricted blood vessels.

What are the common sources of caffeine?

Common sources of caffeine include coffee, tea, energy drinks, and soft drinks.

What is adenosine's role in the body?

Adenosine is a neurotransmitter involved in sleep induction and causes vasodilation.

What are common withdrawal symptoms from caffeine?

Common withdrawal symptoms from caffeine include headaches, sleepiness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

Is caffeine addictive?

Yes, caffeine causes physical dependence and has some evidence of psychological addictiveness.

How does caffeine relieve headaches?

Caffeine acts as a vasoconstrictor, reducing pressure from expanding blood vessels in the head.

Where does nicotine come from?

Nicotine comes from tobacco.

How quickly does nicotine reach the brain?

Nicotine can reach the brain in as little as seven seconds after inhalation.

What are the short-term effects of nicotine?

Short-term effects of nicotine include inducing vomiting (initially), relaxation (in regular smokers, likely due to reduced withdrawal symptoms), reduced weight gain, and increased heart rate and blood pressure.