Caffeine and Drugs Review

Caffeine (+) 

Increases fat utilization and increases glycogen stores

Stimulant: enhances dopamine signaling in the brain, increases mental alertness, lessens feeling of fatigue

Caffeine (-)

Blocks adenosine receptors

• Adenosine signals sleepiness

• Interfere with sleep patterns and circadian rhythm

• Contribute to insomnia

Sympathomimetic

• Can worsen blood pressure, anxiety, nervousness

Stimulants

Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Amphetamine, Methylphenidate

Cannabis

Marijuana, Hashish

Narcotics 

Heroin, Morphine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Codeine

Depressants

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (X), Benzodiazepines

Hallucinogens

Methylene-dioxymeth-amphetamine (MDMA), LSD, Phencyclidine (PCP)

Inhalants

Amynitrite, Butylnitrite, Nitrous Oxide

Anabolic Steroids

Testosterone, Other

Synergism (potentiation)

Interaction of 2+ drugs where the effects of the individual drugs are multiplied 

Stimulant-depressant interaction

Mixed signals are sent to the body functions

Cross-tolerance

physiological tolerance to one drug increases the tolerance to another substance that acts similarly

Nicotine/Tabacco

Stimulant and Depressant

Only takes 10 seconds to reach the brain

Immediate tolerance development

What happens when you quit smoking?

1. Lung tissue can repair overtime

2. 8 hours: CO and O2 levels normalize

3. 1 month mucus in the lungs starts to clear and lung functioning improves

4. 1 year decreased risk of lung cancer and stroke

5. 10 years risk of lung cancer is 50% of those who continued 

6. 15 years CAD risk is equal to non-smokers