STIMULANT DRUGS: TYPES AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS - ARTE - 2025

The stimulant drugs are substances that produce an increase in brain stimulation. Specifically, stimulant substances increase the activity of a part of the central nervous system called the sympathetic system, which is responsible for making us in a state of alert.

The different types of stimulant drugs increase the blood flow of the brain, alertness, attention, energy of the person and produce a remarkable heightening of the senses. Likewise, they also accelerate physiological functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension or breathing.

These effects are usually pleasant and produce gratifying sensations for the person, but stimulant drugs are one of the substances that can generate higher levels of addiction and dependence.

Its mechanism of action lies in increasing the release of different neurotransmitters, especially dopamine and serotonin. With its consumption there is an increase in the presence of chemical substances in the intercellular regions and brain activity increases rapidly.

There are many different types of stimulant drugs that can have different effects. In general, there are more powerful psychostimulant substances such as cocaine or methamphetamines, and nervous system stimulant drugs that generate milder effects such as caffeine.

Types of stimulant drugs

Cocaine

Cocaine is an alkaloid obtained from the leaves of the Erytoxylum coca Lam and Erytroxylum novogranatense Hieron shrubs. It is considered one of the most stimulating substances of the central nervous system and, in addition, it suppresses the appetite and acts as a topical anesthetic.

At the brain level, it inhibits the reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, which is why it produces a high increase of these substances in the brain regions.

Cocaine is highly addictive since it affects the mesolimbic reward system in a very direct and very intense way.

Among other effects, its consumption can cause heightened alertness, persecutory mania, increased violence, anorexia, sleep stimulation, peripheral vasoconstriction, increased temperature and increased energy.

Likewise, the consumption of this substance usually produces motor and verbal hyperactivity, decreased fatigue and increased pleasures on alert. However, completely opposite symptoms may appear after the effects of the drug, such as fatigue, dysphoria and the desire to take cocaine to re-experience the pleasant effects.

With very high doses, in some cases, alterations in critical and discriminative capacity, auditory, tactile and visual illusions and / or hallucinations, stereotypes and seizures may appear.

2- Amphetamine

Amphetamine is a synthetic adrenergic agent that stimulates the central nervous system. At present, we can find two different substances that refer to the name of amphetamine.

The first is made up of the substances amphetamine, dextroamphetamine and methamphetamine, while the second refers to amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS).

At the brain level, amphetamine acts as an agonist of the presynaptic receptors for norepinephrine and dopamine at the level of the central nervous system. The drug binds to these receptors and activates them, thus stimulating a greater release of this type of neurotransmitter and increasing brain activity.

When consumed, amphetamine improves wakefulness, increases alertness levels and increases the ability to concentrate. Likewise, it produces pleasant and reinforcing effects, reduces levels of impulsivity, decreases appetite and increases motor activity.

3- Methamphetamine

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Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant derived from the previously discussed substance amphetamine. Specifically, it consists of a synthetic drainage agonist, structurally related to the alkaloid ephedrine and to the hormone adrenaline.

Although methamphetamine is derived from and resembles amphetamine, its effects on the central nervous system are much more powerful and pronounced.

It is a much more addictive substance that produces more pleasant effects and that, although it can also increase the state of attention and the ability to concentrate, it is used only for recreational purposes.

On the other hand, this drug also increases activity, reduces appetite, produces a general feeling of well-being, motivates the appearance of euphoric states and relieves fatigue.

4- Caffeine

Caffeine is an alkaloid from the group of xanthines, a group of substances that act as psychoactive and stimulant drugs. Its main action at the brain level consists of the inhibition of adenosine receptors.

Adenosine is a substance found in multiple regions of the brain that plays an essential role in suppressing neuronal activity. Caffeine acts as a psychostimulant by inhibiting this substance that is responsible for suppressing and reducing the level of activity in the brain.

Its consumption produces effects such as increased attention and perceptual and motor skills, reduces fatigue, inhibits sleep and diverts muscle metabolism, inducing the consumption of fatty acids.

5- Nicotine

Nicotine is an alkaloid found mainly in the tobacco plant, with a high concentration in its leaves. This substance has been shown to be one of the most addictive due to the direct effect it has on the brain's reward mechanism.

Specifically, nicotine stimulates nicotinic receptors and promotes the release of dopamine and norepinephrine.

The release of dopamine causes the typical sensations of pleasure that smokers experience when lighting a cigarette, as well as the addiction that many users develop to this substance.

For its part, the increase in noradrenaline causes an increase in alertness, attention, memory and concentration. Additionally, like most central nervous system stimulants, nicotine also inhibits hunger.

6- Ecstasy

Ecstasy, also known as MDMA, is an empathic drug that belongs to the family of substituted amphetamines. It works in the brain by producing an increase in the production of serotonin and dopamine.

It is usually consumed orally through crystals or crystal powders, which is why it is also known by the name of "crystal."

Its immediate effects produce hyperthermia and dehydration, and consumption of high amounts can cause an excessively high decrease in the amounts of sodium in the blood.

Likewise, its consumption also tends to cause loss of appetite, insomnia, increased sweating and blood pressure, hyperactivity, feelings of euphoria and partial loss of physical pain

7- Ephedrine

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Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine of plant origin, an active principle originally isolated from the herb "Ephedra distachya". It consists of an adrenergic agonist that activates receptors in the sympathetic nervous system but, unlike other substances, does not stimulate the central nervous system.

Its consumption usually produces verbiage, mental clarity, as well as suppression of fatigue, reinforcing effects and gratification. After the initial effects, other symptoms usually appear, such as agitation, a feeling of nervousness, hostility and tremors.

At the therapeutic level, it is applied parentally to treat the hypotensive effects of spinal anesthesia and orally to treat narcolepsy and some depressive states.

8- Pseudoephedrine

Pseudoephedrine pills. Source: DEA

Pesudoephedrine is a pharmacological agent with adrenergic agonist action that is used in medicine due to its properties as a systemic decongestant to treat nasal and sinus congestion.

Despite the effects it produces on the respiratory tract and mucous membranes, this substance also crosses the blood-brain barrier and generates brain effects.

However, it has been found that the stimulant effects on the central nervous system are very residual, so it has a very slight effect on brain over-activation.

9- Aids chordophyll

Source: JMGarg

Chordophyll AIDS is a substance that comes from the plants of the "malvaceae" family. It acts as a stimulant drug for the central nervous system as it contains ephedrine.

However, the concentrations of this substance are very small and its effects on the brain are scarce. Its consumption usually produces euphoric and stimulating effects, and it is used mainly as an appetite suppressant substance.

10- Methylphenidate

Methylphenidate pills. Source: DMTrott

Methylphenidate is an amphetamine derivative that is used therapeutically to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. At present, the specific mechanism of action of this substance is still unknown, but it is argued that it blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine.

Its consumption produces effects similar to those of caffeine and amphetamines, although it is less powerful than the latter.

In this way, methylphenidate increases alertness, improves attention and increases the ability to concentrate and appears to have less rewarding and addictive effects than other psychostimulant substances.

11- Modafinil

Modafinil pills. Source: Īriss Sviklis

Modafinil is a neurostimulant that promotes alertness and acts as a neuroprotective substance.

Its use is indicated for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, excessive daytime sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea, and shift shift sleep disorder.

Its mechanism of action is also partially unknown, although it is concluded that it shares important properties with both amphetamine and methylphenidate.

It has been discovered how this substance increases the release of norepinephrine and dopamine, as well as the levels of histamine in the hypothalamus, which is why it is considered as an agent that promotes wakefulness.

On the other hand, this drug also improves concentration levels, reduces fatigue associated with sleep apnea or multiple sclerosis, and has not been shown to have addictive potential.

12- Kath

Source: User: Katpatuka

Kath is a synthetic stimulant and aphrodisiac that comes from the 'catha edulis' crops of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its consumption causes a moderate but persistent psychological dependence and can also generate deprivation syndrome.

At the brain level, it acts as an agonist of adrenergic receptors, thus increasing the concentration of norepinephrine.

The main effects of this substance are stimulant, producing symptoms such as euphoria, well-being, increased energy, increased alertness, and increased self-esteem and social interaction.

13- Maytenus senegalensis

Source: Marco Schmidt

Maytenus senegalensis is a thorny shrub that contains cathinone and cathine as active ingredients. Its consumption is mainly recreational both through the own oral ingestion of the leaves of the bush and through infusions.

Its effects are very similar to those of Kath and it causes a clear stimulation of the central nervous system, producing euphoria, well-being, increased energy and addiction.

14- Taurine

Guarana is the fruit of the climbing shrub Paullinia cupana, which is found in different regions of the Amazon. This substance has been used since time immemorial by different indigenous tribes as a medicinal plant and a restorative, exciting and aphrodisiac substance.

The seeds contain guarin as the most important active principle, a substance that has a composition and activity identical to that of caffeine.

Thus, this substance belongs to the group of methylxanthines and its consumption produces a clear stimulation of the central nervous system, increasing memory and physical performance, and decreasing appetite.

On the other hand, this substance also has antioxidant and antiseptic properties, and can cause side effects such as gastric disorders, anxiety, brain excitement, hallucinations and insomnia.

16- Bethel

Source: Aruna at Malayalam

Betel is the nut that is obtained from a plant known as Areca catechu, which belongs to the "arecaceae" family. Its active principle is arecoline, a stimulant of the central nervous system with cholinergic activity.

Small doses of this substance produce feelings of euphoria and high doses generate sedation.

It is used for recreational purposes and its consumption can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps and, in the long term, it is a potentially carcinogenic substance.

References

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