Medicines and drugs

1. Medicines and drugs Stimulants

2. stimulants • nicotine, caffeine, amphetamines • the intention of these drugs is to have similar effects to adrenaline which is a natural stimulant. • amphetamines have similar structures to adrenaline.

3. stimulants • affect central nervous system; act on neurotransmitters which are chemicals that acts as messengers and stimulate pathways • increase activity of the brain • largely opposite to depressants

4. physiological effects

5. amphetamines • group of drugs which mimic the effect of adrenaline • classified as symphatomimetic drug as it stimulates the symphatetic nervous system • adrenaline or epinephrine = hormone released in times of stress e.g. pain, cold, fear, … • response to increased adrenaline: • increased heart beat/blood pressure • Increased blood flow to brain and muscles • Increased air flow to lungs • Increased mental alertness

6. compare • Common: both amphetamines and epinephrine have a phenyl-ethyl-amine chain which is benzene ring linked to an amine group by a carbon chain • Different: functional groups • amphetamines: • primary amine • epinephrine: • 3 hydroxyl groups • secondary amine

7. nicotine • A nicotine molecule contains the following functional groups: a tertiary amine, aromatic benzene ring structures with nitrogen atoms in them, and double bonds (alkene functional group).

8. physiological effects nicotine

9. caffeine • Caffeine is a psychoactive stimulant. When consumed in large amounts it can cause anxiety, irritability and sleeplessness. It is a weak diuretic i.e. causes the body to lose more water than it takes in • Its structure is similar to nicotine.

10. structure of caffeine • aromatic rings containing both carbon and nitrogen – like nicotine • tertiary amine group • two amide groups (- N – C = O)

11. caffeine