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Stimulants
What
are Stimulants?
wiseGEEK
Stimulants are chemicals that increase
activity in the central and peripheral nervous systems, intensifying a person's
mental or physical state.
Individuals who use stimulants usually
experience an increase in alertness, productivity, and endurance when
performing tasks.
There are many different types of stimulants,
which are commonly used in medications, consumer products and drinks, and
illicit drugs. Stimulating effects can be derived from nicotine, caffeine,
methamphetamine, cocaine, and other potentially dangerous drugs.
Research shows that there is a significant
risk of developing psychological and physiological addiction to stimulants,
even with very limited exposure.
Chemicals in the brain known
as neurotransmitters, including dopamine, epinephrine,
and norepinephrine, are essential to the release of hormones and the body's
response to pain and pleasure.
Neurotransmitters are regularly released in
response to a stimulus, and reabsorbed to maintain a sufficient supply.
When a person takes a stimulant, however,
large amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine are released and prevented from
being reabsorbed, causing a temporary boost in pleasure and a drop in pain.
In time, however, the brain's supply of
neurotransmitters becomes depleted, leading to intense feelings of withdrawal,
drowsiness, and fatigue.
The most common and most socially acceptable
stimulant is caffeine, which is found in many types of sodas, coffee, juices,
energy drinks, and chocolate.
Like other stimulants, caffeine temporarily
enhances dopamine and norepinephrine levels, leading to feelings of alertness
and wakefulness, but also resulting in a dangerous increase heart rate and anxiety.
Nicotine, which is usually derived from
cigarettes and chewing tobacco, produces similar short-term effects.
Diet pills and over-the-counter energy
boosters stimulate the mind and the body's metabolism, reducing
the urge to consume food and increasing endurance.
Certain prescription drugs, including
medications for attention deficit disorder, narcolepsy,
and asthma, are
also considered stimulants.
Many different illegal drugs are classified
as stimulants, including cocaine, ecstasy, and methamphetamine.
Such highly addictive drugs cause feelings of
euphoria, a reduction in the body's ability to sense pain, significant
increases in energy and alertness, and a loss of appetite.
Frequent use of these drugs quickly leads to
dependence in most people.
An individual usually builds a tolerance to
stimulants over time, meaning that he or she needs more and more of a drug to
achieve the desired effects, greatly increasing the risk of an overdose and
serious health consequences.
In addition, most drug users experience
severe physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms when drugs are not
available.
An individual whose daily life has become
disrupted because of a stimulant addiction can receive help by seeking the
guidance of a physician or a mental health professional.
A doctor or psychologist may recommend
detoxification, inpatient substance abuse rehabilitation, support groups, or
regular sessions with a counselor to help a person overcome his or her addiction.
By abstaining from using chemicals and
developing healthy habits, many people are able to recover from their
addictions and return to normal life.
Written By: D. Jeffress
Edited By: Bronwyn Harris
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