Cocaine, Amphetamines, and Other Psychostimulants

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to cocaine, amphetamines, and other psychostimulants discussed in the lecture notes.

Cocaine

A powerful psychostimulant derived from the coca plant, used medically as a local anesthetic and recreationally for its energizing effects.

Vasodilation

The dilation of blood vessels, which can occur as an effect of cocaine, leading to increased blood flow.

Cocaine psychosis

A mental health condition that can arise from chronic cocaine use, characterized by hallucinations and delusions.

Dependence

A state in which an individual experiences withdrawal symptoms and increased desire for a drug, indicating changes in brain function.

Kindling effect

The phenomenon where repeated withdrawals from a drug increase sensitivity to its effects, leading to stronger reactions with less use.

Amphetamines

A class of stimulant drugs that affect the central nervous system and are used medically for conditions like ADHD.

Synthetic Cathinones

A group of psychoactive substances similar to cathinone, often referred to as 'bath salts', with stimulant effects.

Methylphenidate

A medication commonly used to treat ADHD, also known as Ritalin, which enhances dopamine activity.

Chronic effects

Long-term consequences of drug use that can include psychological issues and physical health problems.

Formication

A sensation of insects crawling on or under the skin, which can be a symptom experienced by chronic cocaine users.

Cocaine

A powerful psychostimulant derived from the coca plant, used medically as a local anesthetic and recreationally for its energizing effects.

Vasodilation

The dilation of blood vessels, which can occur as an effect of cocaine, leading to increased blood flow.

Cocaine psychosis

A mental health condition that can arise from chronic cocaine use, characterized by hallucinations and delusions.

Dependence

A state in which an individual experiences withdrawal symptoms and increased desire for a drug, indicating changes in brain function.

Kindling effect

The phenomenon where repeated withdrawals from a drug increase sensitivity to its effects, leading to stronger reactions with less use.

Amphetamines

A class of stimulant drugs that affect the central nervous system and are used medically for conditions like ADHD.

Synthetic Cathinones

A group of psychoactive substances similar to cathinone, often referred to as 'bath salts', with stimulant effects.

Methylphenidate

A medication commonly used to treat ADHD, also known as Ritalin, which enhances dopamine activity.

Chronic effects

Long-term consequences of drug use that can include psychological issues and physical health problems.

Formication

A sensation of insects crawling on or under the skin, which can be a symptom experienced by chronic cocaine users.

What are common routes of administration for cocaine?

Cocaine can be snorted, injected intravenously, or smoked (as crack cocaine).

How does cocaine primarily exert its effects on neurotransmitters?

Cocaine primarily blocks the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain, leading to increased levels of these neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft.

What are some acute physiological and psychological effects of stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines?

Acute effects include increased alertness, euphoria, increased heart rate and blood pressure, reduced appetite, and enhanced physical performance.

Cocaine

A powerful psychostimulant derived from the coca plant, used medically as a local anesthetic and recreationally for its energizing effects.

Vasodilation

The dilation of blood vessels, which can occur as an effect of cocaine, leading to increased blood flow.

Cocaine psychosis

A mental health condition that can arise from chronic cocaine use, characterized by hallucinations and delusions.

Dependence

A state in which an individual experiences withdrawal symptoms and increased desire for a drug, indicating changes in brain function.

Kindling effect

The phenomenon where repeated withdrawals from a drug increase sensitivity to its effects, leading to stronger reactions with less use.

Amphetamines

A class of stimulant drugs that affect the central nervous system and are used medically for conditions like ADHD.

Synthetic Cathinones

A group of psychoactive substances similar to cathinone, often referred to as 'bath salts', with stimulant effects.

Methylphenidate

A medication commonly used to treat ADHD, also known as Ritalin, which enhances dopamine activity.

Chronic effects

Long-term consequences of drug use that can include psychological issues and physical health problems.

Formication

A sensation of insects crawling on or under the skin, which can be a symptom experienced by chronic cocaine users.

What are common routes of administration for cocaine?

Cocaine can be snorted, injected intravenously, or smoked (as crack cocaine).

How does cocaine primarily exert its effects on neurotransmitters?

Cocaine primarily blocks the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain, leading to increased levels of these neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft.

What are some acute physiological and psychological effects of stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines?

Acute effects include increased alertness, euphoria, increased heart rate and blood pressure, reduced appetite, and enhanced physical performance.

What are common withdrawal symptoms associated with stimulant dependence?

Common withdrawal symptoms include dysphoria, fatigue, increased appetite, psychomotor agitation or retardation, vivid unpleasant dreams, and insomnia or hypersomnia.

What is 'Tolerance' in the context of drug use?

Tolerance is a state in which, over time, increasing doses of a drug are required to achieve the same effect, or the same dose yields a diminishing effect.

How do amphetamines primarily exert their effects on neurotransmitters?

Amphetamines primarily increase the release of dopamine and norepinephrine from presynaptic terminals and also block their reuptake.

What are some chronic health problems associated with long-term stimulant misuse?

Chronic problems can include cardiovascular issues (e.g., hypertension, arrhythmias), neurological damage, cognitive impairments, severe dental problems ('meth mouth' for methamphetamine), and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.

Cocaine

A powerful psychostimulant derived from the coca plant, used medically as a local anesthetic and recreationally for its energizing effects.

Vasodilation

The dilation of blood vessels, which can occur as an effect of cocaine, leading to increased blood flow.

Cocaine psychosis

A mental health condition that can arise from chronic cocaine use, characterized by hallucinations and delusions.

Dependence

A state in which an individual experiences withdrawal symptoms and increased desire for a drug, indicating changes in brain function.

Kindling effect

The phenomenon where repeated withdrawals from a drug increase sensitivity to its effects, leading to stronger reactions with less use.

Amphetamines

A class of stimulant drugs that affect the central nervous system and are used medically for conditions like ADHD.

Synthetic Cathinones

A group of psychoactive substances similar to cathinone, often referred to as 'bath salts', with stimulant effects.

Methylphenidate

A medication commonly used to treat ADHD, also known as Ritalin, which enhances dopamine activity.

Chronic effects

Long-term consequences of drug use that can include psychological issues and physical health problems.

Formication

A sensation of insects crawling on or under the skin, which can be a symptom experienced by chronic cocaine users.

What are common routes of administration for cocaine?

Cocaine can be snorted, injected intravenously, or smoked (as crack cocaine).

How does cocaine primarily exert its effects on neurotransmitters?

Cocaine primarily blocks the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain, leading to increased levels of these neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft.

What are some acute physiological and psychological effects of stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines?

Acute effects include increased alertness, euphoria, increased heart rate and blood pressure, reduced appetite, and enhanced physical performance.

What are common withdrawal symptoms associated with stimulant dependence?

Common withdrawal symptoms include dysphoria, fatigue, increased appetite, psychomotor agitation or retardation, vivid unpleasant dreams, and insomnia or hypersomnia.

What is 'Tolerance' in the context of drug use?

Tolerance is a state in which, over time, increasing doses of a drug are required to achieve the same effect, or the same dose yields a diminishing effect.

How do amphetamines primarily exert their effects on neurotransmitters?

Amphetamines primarily increase the release of dopamine and norepinephrine from presynaptic terminals and also block their reuptake.

What are some chronic health problems associated with long-term stimulant misuse?

Chronic problems can include cardiovascular issues (e.g., hypertension, arrhythmias), neurological damage, cognitive impairments, severe dental problems ('meth mouth' for methamphetamine), and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.