Stimulant: Amphetamines and convulsants

ephedra (ephedra major/sinica)

perennial, shrub, native eastern Asia, chinese name Ma huang, ephedrine, twigs used

Tradional use of ephedra

tonics and tea to improve circulation, promote perspiration, reduce fever, antihistamine(asthma and allergies), decongestant and cough remedy, alleviate hemorrhaging

ephedrine

ampetamine like compound, from ephedra, isolated by Yamanashi, powerful CNS stimulant, increase blood pressure/heart rate, anti-histaminic properties (treat asthma/hay fever/cold), banned

western used of Ephedra (twigs)

dilate pupil, increase blood pressure, treat asthma and hay feverm conteract overdose of depressant drugs (alcohol/barbiturates/morphine)

Amphetamines

stimulants, synthetics, reduce fatigue, increase mental and physical activity/speech/concentration

Amphetamines mode of action

mimic neurotransmitter (dopamine/serotonin), stimulates CNS

Pseudoephedrine

stereoisomer of ephedrine, OTC nasal-sinus decongestants/cough-cold/flu medicines, in Ephedra and obtained by yeast fermentation of dextrose (w/ enzymes and benzaldehyde), illict drug trade (reduced to methamphetamine or oxidized to methcathinone)

Use of ephedra

promote weight loss (increase metabolism/temp), improve athletic performance

adverse effects of ephedra

hypertension, heart palpitations, rapid heartbeat(tachycardia), stroke,seizures, acute psychosis when combined other stimulants

Amphetamine or benzedrine

epherdrine semi synthetic, used widely by troops (enhance/extend performance) and factory workers, first recorded stimulant abuse epidemic in japan, used in decongestant but banned bc addictive

Methampetamine (MA or speed)

semi-synthetic amphetamine, reduction of ephedrine, more potent and addictive, immediate rush of energy, sense of power and well being, habitual use develops quickly

Methyenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy)

deriviates of methamphetamine, high dosages lead depreesion/memory loss/insomnia, overdoes by impaired bretahing/heart attack/kidney failure, small controlled doses treat severe PTSD, investigate therapeutic potential

ketamine

amphetamine derivative, general anaesthetic, dissociative drugs (induce trance), associated sedative and analgesic, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) recepto antagonist, increase in neurotransmittor glutamate and dopamine, induce dangerous dissociative state (K-hole) with hallucination, treat severe depreesion

esketamine

stereoisomer of ketamine, use treatment of severe clinical depression

Methylphenidate (Ritalin)

ephedrine like synthetic, calm hyperactive children, used in drug combination (fen-phen)

fenfluramine-phentermine (fen-phen)

drug combination , promote weight loss, banned for development heart valve problems, addictive nature, development of psychoses

Strychnine or Nux Vomica (Strychnos nux-vomica)

tree, native Southeast Asia and northern Australia, muscle convuslanr, alkaloid strychnine, in seeds/bark/fruit

Strychnine

alkaloid, from seeds/bark/fruit of Nux vomica, poisonous (deadly), used homicide/arrow/rat poison, high specificity in labelling Glycine receptors

strychnine poison

agitation, uncontrolled muscle spasms and convulsions, collapse of organ function causing death

medicinal use of strychnine

cure fevers and snakebites, stimulates gastrointestinal tract, improveblood circulation, treat nervous conditions, treat depressants overdoes (barbiturates)

sungucine and isostrychnopentamine

strychine like alkaloids, from 2 african strychnos species, potenet anit-malarial agents