1. Stimulants
Chynna & April

2. Stimulants
 Drugs that increase a person’s mental
alertness and awareness by stimulating
the brain and central nervous system
 They are drugs that alter the levels of
neurotransmitters
 They act as opposites to depressants.
 Examples: amphetamines, epinephrine
(adrenaline), nicotine, caffeine

3. D.5.1 List the physiological effects of
stimulants
 Physiological effects:
 increase in heart rate
 blood pressure
 constriction of arteries
 relaxation of air passages therefore an
increase breathing rate
 dilation of pupils
 sweating
 reduced appetite
 Increase concentration

4. D.5.1 List the physiological effects of
stimulants
 Other long term side effects:
 emotional instability or depression
 restlessness
 sleeplessness
 delusions and hallucinations

5. D.5.2 Compare amphetamines and
epinephrine (adrenaline)
 Epinephrine (adrenaline): a
hormone secreted by the adrenal
medulla upon stimulation by the
central nervous system
 A response to stress
 Results in Anger or fear
 Causes: increased heart rate, blood
pressure, cardiac output, carbohydrate
metabolism

6. D.5.2 Compare amphetamines and
epinephrine (adrenaline)
 Amphetamines : chemically related to adrenaline
 Sympathomimetic drug
 Initially used to treat narcolepsy and issued to
airmen in WWII to combat fatigue.
 50s and 60s used as anti-depressants and slimming
pills.
 Regular use can lead to both tolerance and
dependence
 Short-term effects: increase heart race and
breathing, dilation of pupils, decrease in appetite 
fatigue  possible depression (as it wears off)
 Long term effects: weight loss, constipation,
emotional instability

7. D.5.2 Compare amphetamines and
epinephrine (adrenaline)
 Physiological Similarities
 Increase physical energy by: 1) Increasing heart rate and
blood pressure. 2) Increasing blood flow to the brain and
muscles. 3) Increasing air flow to the lungs
 Increase mental awareness; trigger the "fight or flight"
syndrome
 Dilation of the pupils
 Reduce appetite
 induce a sense of euphoria
 Both can lead to the rapid development of both tolerance and
dependence (addiction),
 Both can have serious long-term effects if abuse/over used -
depression and reduced resistance to infection. Abuse of
amphetamines through overuse is a serious problem.

8. D.5.2 Compare amphetamines and
epinephrine (adrenaline)
 Physiological Differences
 epinephrine (adrenaline) is
regulated/produced naturally by the
brain
 amphetamines are synthetic drugs
 Amphetamines are
sympathomimetic

9. D.5.2 Compare amphetamines and
epinephrine (adrenaline)
 Sympathomimetic drugs
 Mimics the effect of stimulation on the
sympathetic nervous system, which deals with
subconscious nerve responses
 Mimic the effects of naturally produced
epinephrine (adrenaline)
 speeds up heart rate
 increases sweat production
 increases breathing rate
 examples: nicotine, amphetamine,
methamphetamine, speed, ecstasy

10.  Comparison of the Structures (similarities and
differences)
 Both based on the phenylethylamine structure
 Both have a benzene (aromatic) ring with a hydrocarbon
chain containing an amine.
 Primary amine (1 C atom attached to N atom) in
amphetamine and secondary amine (2 C atoms attached
to N atom), NH in epinephrine.
 Epinephrine has three hydroxy (-OH) groups while
amphetamine has none.
Ethyl Amine Structure

11. D.5.3 Discuss the short & long term effects of nicotine consumption
 Nicotine - obtained from tobacco plants,
tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, green peppers
 Usually it is taken in by inhalation of smoke from
cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco, and chewing.
 A fat soluble molecule and is easily able to go
through blood-brain barrier and thus affects brain
activity.
 Increases the release of adrenaline
 effects change with time, bringing about
dependence and increased toleration.

12. Nicotine
 Largely responsible for 1/3 of the
world’s population being addicted to
smoking
 Withdrawal symptoms: craving for
tobacco, nausea, weight gain,
insomnia, irritability, and depression
 Sympathomimetic drug

13. D.5.3 Discuss the short & long term effects of nicotine
consumption
 Short term physiological effects of
nicotine:
 increased heart rate / blood pressure
 reduced urine output as stimulating effect
 Increased levels of concentration/
alertness
 Reduced anxiety and tension
 Constricts blood vessels  stress to heart
 Smoking for the first time: nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea

14. D.5.3 Discuss the short & long term effects of nicotine
consumption
 Long term physiological effects:
 Increased risk of cancer
 Increased risk of heart disease/coronary thrombosis/peptic
ulcers
 Increased risk of stroke
 Withdrawal symptoms/Weight gain on quitting
 Physical and psychological dependences and tolerance
 Toxic chemicals from smoking can increase risk of mouth,
throat, and lung cancer
 CO from smoking reduces ability of the blood to carry CO2
 Increased risk of bronchitis and emphysema
 Cigarettes are costly  nicotine addiction increases financial
strains on families
 Can cause lung disease and adverse effects on pregnancy

15. D.5.4 Describe effects of caffeine &
compare structure with that of nicotine
 Caffeine:
 most widely used stimulant
 Present in coffee, tea, cola drinks, some pain killers, other
medicines
 Evidence that consuming 400 mg of caffeine a day or
more can cause dependence and physical side effects
 Caffeine is a respiratory stimulant
 In general, an intake of more than four cups of coffee per
day is excessive. Pregnant women are advised to limit
their caffeine intake.
 Included in common painkillers to speed up effects (ex.
nicotine, morphine, codeine, cocaine)
 Is an Alkaloid – nitrogen-containing compounds of plant
origin containing heterocyclic rings and tertiary amine
groups
 Stimulates the nervous system by increasing the
metabolic rate of nerve cells.

16. D.5.4 Describe effects of caffeine &
compare structure with that of nicotine
 Caffeine Content of different
products
 Cup of ground coffee 80-120 mg
 Cup of instant coffee 65 mg
 Cup of tea 40 mg
 Cup of cola 40 mg
 Bar (100g) of plain chocolate 80 mg

17. D.5.4 Describe effects of caffeine &
compare structure with that of nicotine

18. D.5.4 Describe effects of caffeine &
compare structure with that of nicotine

19. D.5.4 Describe effects of caffeine &
compare structure with that of nicotine
 Comparison of the structures of nicotine and caffeine
Similarities
 Both contain a tertiary amine group.
 Both contain and five member rings made of carbon and nitrogen
atoms.
 Both contain a six member ring made of carbon and nitrogen

Differences
 Caffeine contains two amide groups, nicotine does not.
 Both contain an alkene (C=C) group. Caffeine has one and nicotine
has two
 In caffeine the six and five member rings are fused while in nicotine
they separated.
 Caffeine contains two carbonyl (C=O) groups and two amide (-N-
C=O) groups