Stimulants increase mental alertness and awareness by stimulating the brain and nervous system. They work by altering neurotransmitter levels and have physiological effects like increased heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. Examples of stimulants include amphetamines, epinephrine, nicotine, and caffeine, which can have both short-term and long-term health impacts.

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