Stimulants

__STIMULANTS __

__Definitions__:
 * [[image:_stimulant_molecule....jpg width="171" height="147" align="right"]]Stimulants are substances that increase, or stimulate the normal activity of the central nervous system. They increase the normal level of awareness, alertness and energy in one's mind and body. They usually have side-effects and if you take them for an extended period of time, you may become dependent upon them ([|stimulant]).
 * Drugs are defined as a chemical substance that alter our central nervous system and can have someside-effects such as behavior. These drugs are usually overused that consumers might become addicted to them ([|thefreedictionary])

__ TYPES OF STIMULANTS __


 * Legal Stimulants:**
 * Caffeine
 * Nicotine (found in tobacco products)Weight loss pills
 * Energy drinks
 * Prescription Amphetamines





[|Stimulant Picture]

//The graph above represents the lige time and past month nonmedical use of stimulants among persons ages 12 or older.// //(by Race/Ethnicity: 2003)// [|Life expectacy]


 * These legal stimulants are very popular but they can become a very hard addiction to quit.
 * Stimulants like amphetamines are consumed to treat several medical conditions. This will increase the respiration and heart rates, dilate the pupils, decrease one's appetite and increase blood pressure.
 * Amphetamines have been known to cause euphoria and elevated mood, and if you suffer from ADD, ADHD, anxiety or depression, the drug may rebound that condition.


 * __Causes:__**
 * Often times may experience insomnia, dizziness and blurred vision.
 * Amphetamines are considered a "controlled substance" due to the extremely high chances of one being addicted or dependent upon the drug.
 * Therefore, these types of drugs are prescribed by doctors, typically, they require additional authorization when refilling your prescription in an attempt to monitor the patients use.

__**Illegal Stimulants:**__


 * Methamphetamine
 * Crack
 * Cocaine
 * Ecstasy

([|Methamphetamine])
 * Stimulants such as methamphetamine, crack, cocaine or ecstasy are extremely addictive and dangerous.
 * While under the influence of these controlled substances you may become overly sexually active and often times have unprotected sex.
 * These stimulants may also cause people get involved in criminal activity in an attempt to support your habit. Generally a drug intervention is required to begin the recovery process from these addictions.
 * Unfortunately, stimulants are a very popular form of drug, however, treatment for addiction to these drugs is also increasingly popular and easily available through 12-step meetings, counseling and treatment centers.

__**Causes:**__
 * Methamphetamine, crack, cocaine or ecstasy causes extreme levels of energy, mind racing, elevated mood sense of euphoria and heart racing.
 * Also loss of appetite, insomnia and weight loss.
 * Strokes, seizures, heart attacks, or even death.
 * Over time, people who take stimulants that weren't prescribed for them can often suffer from malnutrition and become paranoid.

__ CURES __
 * Behavioral therapies are proven effective for treating cocaine and methamphetamine addiction.
 * There are no proven medication for the treatment of stimulant addiction.
 * Nevertheless, antidepressants may probably help manage symptoms of depression.
 * Moreover, when dealing with treatments for addiction to prescription stimulants firstly the patient could tapper off the drug's dose and then attempt to treat withdrawal symptoms.
 * This detoxification treatment could be continued by attending behavioral therapies.
 * Another approach to this addiction is going through cognitive-behavioral intervention. In other words, modifying the patient's thinking, expectations and behaviors.

Read more: []

__**Videos related:**__ []

__**IB Questions related to stimulants and additional information of other types of stimulants:**__

1. Many drugs are taken orally. State three other ways in which drugs may be taken by a patient. - The three ways that a patient can take drugs are by the following ways:
 * Inhalation.
 * Injection (parenterally),
 * Applying to skin/topically.

2. State what is meant by the term side effect. - A side effect is an effect that a consumer doesn't want to have negative effects. In other words, an undesired effect.

3.State one example of a long-term effect of taking stimulants. - A long-term effect of taking stimulants can cause:
 * Weight loss
 * Constipation
 * Emotional instability.

4. State the name of the class of drugs with effects similar to that of adrenaline. Outline one effect of these drugs on humans. -The class of drugs with effect similar are amphetamines. -Some effect of these drugs on human are the followings:
 * Increased heart rate
 * Increased blood pressure
 * Increased breathing rate

5. i) Identify the stimulant responsible for addiction to smoking tobacco. 1
 * Nicotine is a drug that produces addiction and pleasure.

ii) Describe two short-term effects of smoking tobacco. 2 -Some short-term effects of smoking tobacco are the followings:
 * Increased heart rate
 * Increased blood pressure
 * Reduced urine output
 * Increased concentration

iii) Describe two long-term effects of smoking tobacco, other than addiction. 2 -Some long-term effects of smoking tobacco are the followings:
 * Increase risk of cancer
 * Increase risk of stroke
 * Heart disease
 * Bad breath
 * Yellowing of teeth or fingers
 * Effect on pregnancy

__REFERENCES__:

“Causes of Stimulants.” Answers.com. N.p., 8 Jan. 2011. Web. 15 Jan. 2011. . Drug. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2011. . Life expectancy diagram. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2011. . Marijuana picture. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2011. . Methamphetamine picture. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2011. . “The NSDUH Report-Stimulant Use.” The NSDUH Report. N.p., 15 May 2008. Web. 15 Jan. 2011. . Stimulant. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2011. . “Stimulant Drugs.” Treatment4Drugs. N.p., 2010. Web. 15 Jan. 2011. . Stimulant Picture. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2011. . “Stimulants.” Drug Addiction. N.p., 2002~2003. Web. 15 Jan. 2011. . Stimulants IB Questions. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2011. .