Stimulants

Stimulants



What are they:
 * __Stimulants are drugs that:__**


 * Elevates mood.


 * Increases feeling of well-being.


 * Increases heart rate, energy, blood pressure and rate of respiration.


 * Increases a person’s state of alertness.

Stimulants are drugs that mimic or enchase the effect of the hormones that releases adrenaline and prepare us for “fight or flight” in threatening situations. To meet the increasing demand that our body has at the moment for energy, it starts breaking down glycogebn and glucose in order to meet increasing demand for energy.
 * __How do stimulants work?__**

__**Classification of Amines:**__ **Amines** are organic derivatives of ammonia (NH3), in which one or more alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aromatic groups replace hydrogen and bond to the nitrogen atom There are three types of amines, primary, secondary and tertiary. They differentiate by the number of carbon groups that are bonded to the nitrogen atom. Structure and classification of amines Physical Properties of Amines:
 * Amines tend to be gases for low molecular weight cases (e.g. up to (CH3)3N, trimethylamine) and many heavier ones are liquids at room temperature.
 * One very noticeable thing about amines is that they tend to exhibit strong odors. For example, some have a “fishy” smell. Such as the examples listed below. [[image:oloram.png width="480" height="65"]]
 * Amine boiling points are intermediate of those for alcohols and alkanes of similar molar mass.
 * Because of the presence of N-H bond(s) in primary and secondary amines, hydrogen-bonding is sometimes possible; however, because N is not as electronegative as O, the N-H bond is not as polar as an O-H bond (weaker H-bonding)


 * Amines tend to be water-soluble because of H-bonding interactions with water molecules. In fact, amines having fewer than six carbon atoms are infinitely water-soluble.
 * Water-solubility decreases as:
 * Chain length increases, and,
 * The degree of N-substitution increases

[|Video]
 * For more information use the link provided below**

__**Caffeine:**__

Caffeine is the most commonly used stimulant in the world and has three tertiary amine groups. It is present in many of our daily snacks and drinks, like: soda, tea, coffee drinks and chocolate.

It is naturally produced from the leaves and seeds of several plants. The natural purpose of caffeine is to kill the insects that disturb the plant. It gives you a temporary energy boost, which explains why many people use energy drinks with caffeine when going to the gym, or why we often begin our day with a cup of coffee. It also elevates your mood, but the effects vary from person to person.

It is one of the drugs that you have the easiest access too, and it exists in several medications you can buy from the drug store. It speeds up the effect of pain killers if mixed. Caffeine is a n alkaloid which is a nitrogen containing compound which can be found in plants that contains both heterocyclic rings, and a tertiary amine group.

The maximum amount of caffeine a person should take in per day is between 200 and 300 mg. It is described as a moderate amount. 100 mg per day is enough to make a person addicted and 400 mg per day can cause side effects.




 * __Side effects:__**

Caffeine does not necessarily have that many side effects unless you consume more than 400 mg per day, but if addicted, the consequences of not receiving a daily dose can cause headache. The side effects of over consumption can be concentration problems, frequent urination and restlessness. It is also discussed whether or not it causes quicker dehydration.

Some of the drinks that contain a lot of caffeine are: monster energy drink (160 mg), Red bull (80 mg), coca cola (34 mg) and diet coke (45 mg).

Structure of the tertiary amines Nicotine and Caffeine


 * Nicotine:**

Nicotine is a pale, yellow alkaloid that is highly toxic. It is found in the leaves of many plants, but mainly the tobacco plant. The chemical formula is C10H14N2. It is present in smoke and tobacco, up to 5mg in each cigarette. It is either absorbed by the lungs or skin, and when it is inside the body it quickly crosses the blood-brain barrier and gets to the central nervous system. People who take in nicotine on a regular basis get a feeling of well-being, which is a result of it leading to increased presence of dopamine in the brain.

Effects:

Nicotine has both long term and short term effects. The long term being more serious than the short term, as big amounts of nicotine can damage lungs and body functions.

The short term effects being: increased heart rate and blood pressure, reduction in urine output and a reduction of reflex time. The knee reflex is in average a lot longer for those who smoke than for those who don`t.

The long term effects being: an increased risk of heart diseases, coronary thrombosis and peptic Ulcers. Many of us know a very common effect of smoking, which is risk of cancer.


 * Amphetamines:**

Amphetamine is 1-phenylpropan and has second group amine. Amphetamines are drugs that increase levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine in the brain. They are commonly used as stimulants and appetite suppressants, its chemical formula is C9H13N. Common medications that cause similar effects and have a similar chemical formula are Adderall, Dexedrine, Dextroamphet, Dextrostat, Didrex, ProCentre, and Vyvanse, as well as Benzedrine or Psychedrin in the past.

Amphetamines usually come in a powder form or tablets, although sometimes as a pinkish-grey putty-like substance (known as base). The powder has often been heavily mixed with other powders such as glucose, baby milk, laxatives or other drugs, and its purity may be low. Amphetamines are usually taken by snorting the powder into the nose, rubbing it on the gums or swallowing the tablets. As base has an unpleasant taste it may be wrapped in a cigarette paper and swallowed – this is known as a speedbomb. Some users inject the drug. Methamphetamine crystals may be smoked, using a glass pipe.





Effects:
 * Increased energy
 * Euphoria
 * Decreased appetite
 * Increased concentration
 * Increased motivation

Side Effects (most common):
 * Decreased Appetite
 * Dry Mouth
 * Headache
 * Weight Loss
 * Anxiety / Nervousness

Long term side effects:
 * Risk of damage to brain cells
 * Amphetamine psychosis, which includes hallucinations, paranoia and other symptoms similar to schizophrenia. This can lead to behaviour dangerous to the person and to others.
 * Malnutrition, because the drug suppresses appetite
 * Reduced immunity, due to malnutrition and lack of sleep
 * Mood swings, depression and panic attacks
 * The need to use other drugs, such as sleeping tablets, to balance the effects of amphetamines
 * Aggression and increased susceptibility to violent rages.

**References:**

 * http://www.osc-ib.com/ib-revision-guides/pdf/Chem%20Opt%20D%20-%20sample%20pgs.pdf

>
 * http://www.chemistryexplained.com/Ne-Nu/Nicotine.html
 * http://www2.chemistry.msu.edu/faculty/reusch/VirtTxtJml/amine1.htm


 * http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showwiki.php?title=Amphetamine


 * http://chemistry.about.com/od/factsstructures/ig/Chemical-Structures---A/Amphetamine-Chemical-Structure.htm


 * http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/emotional_health/addictions/amphetamines.shtml

>
 * http://www.thegooddrugsguide.com/amphetamines/effects.htm


 * Images / Videos:**


 * http://www.drugfree.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ecstacy-021-300x199.jpg


 * http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0sckws63q1qgoee4o1_500.jpg

>
 * http://www.cigarea.com/images/cigarettes-brands.png
 * http://www.yteach.co.uk/page.php/resources/view_all?id=amines_structure_aliphatic_aromatic_base_quaternary_ammonium_salt_t_page_3

>
 * http://www.wavesignal.com/o_chem/Alkyne6.jpg