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Stimulants with Presynaptic Action: Cocaine and the Amphetamines. Cocaine- one of most potent stimulantsExtracted from coca leaves as HCl salt.Can also be extracted in ether or boiled to get free base (?Crack").AmphetaminesSynthetic drugs related to DA and NE.Normal form is HCl salt.?ICE" smo
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1. Drugs & the Brain
2. Stimulants with Presynaptic Action: Cocaine and the Amphetamines Cocaine- one of most potent stimulants
Extracted from coca leaves as HCl salt.
Can also be extracted in ether or boiled to get free base (“Crack”).
Amphetamines
Synthetic drugs related to DA and NE.
Normal form is HCl salt.
“ICE” smoked like crack.
3. Cocaine & Amphetamine- the High Similar in nature but amphet. trip lasts much longer.
Low doses
Elevates mood, increases alertness.
Can evoke anxiety, insomnia, & irritability.
High doses
Rush- giddiness, boastfulness
Followed by milder euphoria, and then increasing anxiety (causes craving).
Prolonged higher doses: toxic paranoid psychosis
4. Mechanism of Action Enhance function of dopamine.
Cocaine primarily blocks DA transporter.
Amphet. causes transporter to run backwards.
Addictive properties
Both are fairly addictive.
Psychologically addictive- LONG lasting positive craving for drug.
Due to activation of mesocorticolimbic DA system (addiction in general).