Chapter 10: Psychomotor Stimulants

What are pyshcomotor stimulants?

all stimulate transmission at synapses that use Epinephrine (E), Norepinephrine (NE), Dopamine (DA), or Serotonin (5-HT), and influences reuptake transporters

What is Ephedra?

A herb ma huang has been used in Chna for more than 5,000 years

What does Ephera do?

helps with colds, fever, headaches, asthma, nasal congestion, and wheezing

Why was Ephedra banned in the U.S.?

The FDA banned it in the U.S. because it could cause serious heart problems and even death

What was Ephedrine?

It comes in a pill form, has a longer duration of action, and was less toxic

What does Ephedrine activate?

It activates the body’s alert system (“fight or flight”)

What did the FDA warn about in 2004 for Ephedrine?

Over-the-counter products and supplements containing ephedrine are unsafe and may cause side effects such as headaches, dizziness, heart irregularities, seizures, and possibly death

What are the Amphetamine types?

Adderall, Dexedrine, Methedrine, or Desoxyn (methamphetamine)

What schedule drug type is Amphetamine?

schedule II drug

How can Methamphetamine get passed by?

it can be made from ingredients that are legally sold, like cold medicine with Ephedrine or Pseudoephedrine

What is Methamphetamine?

it can be made in illegal labs and sold in different forms like: paste, tablets, or powder (when powder is purified, it becomes crystal meth)

What does Methylphenidate treat?

FDA approved to treat ADHD and narcolepsy

Where does Cocaine come from?

Cocaine comes from the leaves of the coca bush, which thrives on the slopes of the Andes Mountains

How is Crack made?

By mixing cocaine with baking soda and water, then heating it untill solid “rocks” form.

How is Crack used?

The rocks are heated, and the vapor is inhaled, which makes the process of the drug enter the brain faster

How is Coca-Cola made?

extract of coca leaves and kola nuts

What was the Harrison Narcotic Act 1914?

It regulated and taxed the production, importation, and distribution of opiates and coca products

What is Cathinone?

is a natural drug found in plant leaves that poeple would chew

What are “bath salts” or “plant food”?

they are names for drugs like methcathinon or mephedrone (similar to meth and cathinone)

How did the “bath salts” and “plant food” get away before being banned?

they were sold online labeled as “not for human consumption” to avoid laws

What is the route of administration and absorption?

Ionized in the digestive system unless pH is increased (also saliva) to increase absorption

Which route of administration for Amphetamines is faster?

They work stronger and faster when taken by injection, inhalation (smoking), or snorting

Where is the distribution and excretion for amphetamines and cocaine?

all cross the blood-brain barrier and are concentrated in the spleen, kidneys, and brain

How is methylphenidate absorbed?

It is taken by mouth and is quckly absorbed in the stomach and intestines

What happens in neurophysiology in the CNS?

The drugs affect monoamine, increasing dopamine release, and lowering the brain’s use of glucose (energy use)

What happens to Cocaine when reuptake of monoamines?

Cocaine blocks the reuptake of the monoamines, so brain chemicals stay longer in the space between nerve cells

It also blocks sodium channels which affects nerve signaling

How are Amphetamines work in the brain?

Amphetamines work by messing with how brain chemicals (norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin) are released and cleaned up

They enter nerve cells and reverse the transporters

What happens once the amphetamines enter nerve cells and reverse the transporters?

They caused more neurotransmitters to be pushed out into the synapse

What do the amphetamines also affect?

They affect storage inside vesicles so more chemicals are release, and they reduce how quickly norepinepherine, dopamine, and serotonin are broken down

How does psychomotor stimulants affect the body?

Vasodilation (dilation of the blood vessels)

Bronchodilation (dilation of the air passages in the lungs)

appetite suppressant

block fatigue (prevents sleep)

increase concentration

What oher affects does pyshmotor stimulants have on the body?

stereotyped behavior

punding

psychosis

formication

violent behavior

sensory effects (vision, auditory, time)

What affects does psychomotor stimulants have on performance?

endurance increased

fatigue diminished

improve vigilance and attention (tunnel vision effect)

impair flexibility and the ability to adopt new strategies

What is the tolerance of psychomotor stimulants?

rushes, mood, appetite, heart, blood pressure, and lethal effects

What is the sensitization of psychomotor stimulants?

stereotyped behavior and psychotic behavior

What are the withdrawal symptoms of psychomotor stimulants?

depression, anxiety, change in appetite, sleep distrurbance, and craving

What are the harmful effects (direct) in psychomotor stimulants?

Reduction in growth

Liver damage, inflammation and ulceration of the nasal cavity

bringing behavior

psychological symptoms

internal bleeding and strokes

brain damage

What are harmful effects (indirect) from psychomotor stimulants?

arise from lifestyle

contract diseases from intravenous use (reduced ability to fight diseases)

become suspicious, antisocial, and prone to violence

higher death rate from all causes

What happens to the reproduction when taking psychomotor stimulants?

low doses enhance sexual activity

high doses disrupt sexual activity in males

birth abnormalities

placental abruption

premature birth

more behavioral problems

What is cocaine sudden death syndrome Phase 1?

excitement, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, then severe convulsions

What is cocaine sudden death syndrome Phase 2?

loss of consciousness, respiratory depression, and cardiac failure causing death

What are the treatment options from taking psychomotor stimulants?

behavioral therapies

pharmacotherapies (modafinil, bupropion, methypenidate, oral d-amphetamine, naltrexone)

immunization