What are STIMULANTS? & What are their EFFECTS? By: Alexis Rogers Block 2A: AP Psychology By: Alexis Rogers Block 2A: AP Psychology

What are stimulants?  A stimulant is defined as a substance that will increase the levels of psychological or nervous activity in the body. Stimulants also elevate blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration.

Different types of stimulants?  Caffeine  Ginseng  Guarana  L-Tyrosine  Gotu Kola  Taurine  Caffeine  Ginseng  Guarana  L-Tyrosine  Gotu Kola  Taurine Some stimulants are found in the foods/beverages/vitamins you consume. …others are categorized as drugs.  Nicotine  Amphetamines  Adderall  Dexedrine  Cocaine  Ritalin  Nicotine  Amphetamines  Adderall  Dexedrine  Cocaine  Ritalin GOOD & BAD

Any of these look familiar to you?

What about the effects of these stimulants?  Guarana : -Described as a natural Ritalin -Studies show that this stimulant helps improve cognitive functions such as memory, concentration, and increased task performance -Being tested in an attempt to provide cognitive improvement of those who suffer from “chemo-brain”  Guarana : -Described as a natural Ritalin -Studies show that this stimulant helps improve cognitive functions such as memory, concentration, and increased task performance -Being tested in an attempt to provide cognitive improvement of those who suffer from “chemo-brain”  Ginseng: -One of the most common herbal stimulant -Reduce blood sugar -Improve cognitive performance -Useful for people with ADD -Boosts immune system  L-Tyrosine: -Is a building block for many neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine) -Helps with alertness  L-Tyrosine: -Is a building block for many neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine) -Helps with alertness  Gotu Kola: -Improves circulation -Improves mental clarity -Augments memory -Reduce anxiety -Boosts immune system when stressed  Gotu Kola: -Improves circulation -Improves mental clarity -Augments memory -Reduce anxiety -Boosts immune system when stressed  Taurine: -Improves athletic performance, energy, and stamina -Helps protect against damage to the central nervous system -Has been proved to reverse some damages done to smoking  Taurine: -Improves athletic performance, energy, and stamina -Helps protect against damage to the central nervous system -Has been proved to reverse some damages done to smoking  Caffeine: -Essentially effects the central nervous system -Increases alertness -Can cause insomnia -Can cause headaches, nervousness, and dizziness  Caffeine: -Essentially effects the central nervous system -Increases alertness -Can cause insomnia -Can cause headaches, nervousness, and dizziness

Do any of these look familiar as well?

What about the effect of these stimulants too?  Nicotine : -Acts as both a stimulant and a sedative -Addictive -Increases levels of dopamine -Results in the release of adrenaline  Amphetamines : -Stimulates the central nervous system -Increases heart rate, blood pressure, and decreases appetite -Can cause restlessness and hides symptoms of tiredness -You can become dependent on the stimuli if you use it too often  Ritalin: -Used to treat ADD, ADHD, and narcolepsy -Mood swings -Increases ability to pay attention, stay focused on one activity -Help improve listening skills -changes amount of natural substances in the brain  Adderall: -Used to tread ADD and narcolepsy -Stimulates the central nervous system -Increases alertness -Contributes to hyperactivity and impulse control  Dexedrine : -Stimulates the central nervous system -Improves attention span and behavior -Restlessness  Cocaine: -Interferes with neurotransmitters -Increase of energy and alertness -Restlessness -Anxiety -Elevated mood -Paranoia -Extreme excitement -Can cause strokes, heart attacks, and seizures

Click the link below if you’re interested in a video…  

Bibliography "Adderall." Information from Drugs.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb "Amphetamine." Information from Drugs.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb "Dexedrine." Tablets: Indications, Side Effects, Warnings. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb "Neuroscience for Kids - Caffeine." Neuroscience for Kids - Caffeine. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Feb "Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction." What are stimulants?. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Feb "The Best Natural Stimulants For Increased Energy and Weight Loss." The Best Natural Stimulants For Increased Energy and Weight Loss. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb "What are stimulants?." YouTube. YouTube, 13 Feb Web. 3 Feb "cocaine." psychology today. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb "Adderall." Information from Drugs.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb "Amphetamine." Information from Drugs.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb "Dexedrine." Tablets: Indications, Side Effects, Warnings. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb "Neuroscience for Kids - Caffeine." Neuroscience for Kids - Caffeine. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Feb "Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction." What are stimulants?. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Feb "The Best Natural Stimulants For Increased Energy and Weight Loss." The Best Natural Stimulants For Increased Energy and Weight Loss. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb "What are stimulants?." YouTube. YouTube, 13 Feb Web. 3 Feb "cocaine." psychology today. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb