1. Effects of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Stimulants

2. Alcohol Alcoholic Beverages
all contain ethyl alcohol, but different %
Serving of alcohol = ½ oz.
Absorbed through capillary walls in small intestine
Distributed throughout body
Is a psychoactive drug
Oxidation occurs in liver by gastric ADH enzyme
oz. of alcohol oxidized / hr. (up to .5 oz)

3. Short Term Effects of Alcohol
GABA
GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that decreases arousal, aggression, & anxiety
Alcohol increases effects of GABA
Glutamate
An excitatory neurotransmitter – blocked by alcohol
Dopamine and Serotonin
Increase rewards – positive reinforcement

4. Long Term Effects of Alcohol
Brain / Nervous System
Liver
Gastrointestinal tract
Cardiovascular
Endocrine system
Immune system
Cancer
Hypoglycemia
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

5. Effects on Physical Activity
Inc. isometric muscle strength, Inc. VO2 at submax. ex.??
Dec. fine muscle motor control, Dec. hand-eye coordination
Lower levels of glycogen

6. Tobacco Nicotine is the addictive substance Administration
Inhalation, Sublingual
Absorption – directly into bloodstream
Affects brain & CNS
Action
Causes a release of norepinephrine – stimulant, increase concentration, alertness, decrease appetite
Mimics acetylcholine – increase HR, BP, breathing rate
Release dopamine – positive reinforcement

7. Adverse Effects Cardiovascular Respiratory Cancer
Most modifiable risk factor for H.D.
Due to carbon monoxide buildup
Arteriosclerosis
Respiratory
Damage to cilia
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease – emphysema, bronchitis
Cancer
Lung cancer
Other cancers

8. Smokeless Tobacco Chewing tobacco & snuff
1.8 million users – mostly young males, athletes
Nicotine w/o exposure to CO & tar
Same physiological effects as smoking
Time-released absorption
Other health problems
Gum disease, damage to enamel
“Leukoplakia”
Risk of oral, gum, & cheek cancers
Smokeless tobacco doesn’t injure others

9. Effects on Physical Activity
Carbon Monoxide
Not banned, but NCAA has anti-tobacco campaign

10. Stimulants Administration Action Ingestion, Injection, Inhalation
Causes release of excitatory neurotransmitters – norepinephrine, dopamine, adrenaline
Prevents release of inhibitory neurotransmitter - adenosine
Physiological Effects: Increase CNS activity (alertness, concentration), HR, BP, metabolism
Psychological Effects: Dec. perception of fatigue, Feel stronger, more decisive, Feelings of paranoia, mood swings, irritability

11. Amphetamines Medical uses
Narcolepsy
Hyperactivity
Appetite suppressant
Recreational uses – mood altering effects (“pep”)
Athletic uses
Increase blood flow to muscles
Decrease sense of fatigue
Improve reaction time
Go beyond normal physiological limit
Increase time of productive work

12. Physiological Effects of Caffeine
Increase metabolism, BP, HR
Decrease appetite
Increased alertness, decrease fatigue
Vasoconstriction in the brain
Diuresis
Increase stomach acid release

13. Ephedrine From Ephedra shrub
Found in many natural health products – Ma Huang & OTC products – asthma, weight loss
FDA approval for asthma and decongestant
Substitute for MDMA (“ecstasy”)

14. Effects of Ephedrine Physiological effects Side effects
Bronchodilator, increase heart rate, increase blood pressure
Side effects
Dizziness, irritability, anxiety
Adverse effects
Stroke, heart attack, seizures, liver failure, insomnia, risk increases if used with caffeine

15. Effects on Physical Activity
Inc. HR, BP
Decrease appetite
Feelings of dec. fatigue
Caffeine - Ergogenic effects?
IOC - 12µg/ml
NCAA - 15µg/ml
Cocaine & Ephedra - Banned by IOC & NCAA