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Chapter 11. Psychostimulants. Psychostimulants Cocaine Amphetamines Amphetamine Methamphetamine Ephedrine Cathinone – khat MDMA – ecstasy Caffeine Nicotine . Amphetamine and related psychostimulants. 11.16 Khat for sale in an Ethiopian marketplace.
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Chapter 11 Psychostimulants
Psychostimulants • Cocaine • Amphetamines • Amphetamine • Methamphetamine • Ephedrine • Cathinone – khat • MDMA – ecstasy • Caffeine • Nicotine
Effects of amphetamine use • Acute • Alertness/decreased fatigue • Self-confidence • Exhilaration • Activation of sympathetic nervous system • Improve performance for tasks that require sustained attention • Impair performance for tasks that require smooth, accurate muscle movements
Effects of amphetamine use • Chronic • psychosis similar to paranoid schizophrenia • get suspicious & antisocial • stereotyped behavior (continuous chewing, grinding teeth, rubbing tongue inside lips) • engage in repetitive thought or meaningless act for hours • pre-occupied with own though processes or engage in grand philosophies • brain damage
Methamphetamine http://www.police.covington.va.us/images/Photographs/MethIce.gif http://dawsonfamilydentistry.com/Images/methmouth.jpg
11.19 Reduced serotonergic fiber density in the neocortex of squirrel monkeys treated with MDMA
Accepted medical uses for amphetamines: • Narcolepsy • ADHD • Ritalin (methylphenidate) • Dextroamphetamine • Cylert (pemoline) • Strattera (atomoxetine)
Treatment of Psychostimulant Abuse • Similar to approaches for alcohol abuse - it’s the person's environment, behavior, and exposure/access that's important - not the specific drug. • Getting a cocaine addict to quit initially is not the problem - preventing a relapse is the big thing. • But depression often precedes use and always follows it so antidepressants have been tried, only the SSRI's seem to be useful. • A number of compounds have been tried - things that block the euphoric effect or decrease craving but only moderate success.