Stimulants and Depressants

Health 8Mrs. Bauder

Stimulants

Stimulants• Speeds up the body’s functions. Impacts:

• a person’s activity level, mood and CNS

– Legal forms• Caffeine• Nicotine• Amphetamine (prescription)

– Illegal forms• Cocaine• Crack• Methamphetamine

Effects of Stimulants on the Body

• Speed up the central nervous system• Cause the heart rate to increase• Cause the respiratory rates to increase• Cause high blood pressure

• When stimulants are misused or abused they can seriously damage the body.

• Stimulants are often habit-forming.• Even a first time user can die from certain stimulants.

Caffeine

• World’s most frequently used stimulant.

• Works by stimulating the cortex of the brain.

Effects of Caffeine• Moderate levels

show: Increased– Blood pressure– Body temp– Blood sugar levels– Metabolism– Urination– Hand tremors

• Decreased– Appetite– Coordination

• Large amounts causes:– Nausea– Diarrhea– Shaking– Headache– Nervousness– Convulsions– Respiratory failure– Death (750 mg)

Is Caffeine Addictive

• Yes - It meets the requirements for addiction – tolerance, psychological dependency, and withdrawal symptoms.

• What products contain caffeine?common stimulant

Caffeine Users

• On the rise amongst young people.

• Regular users experience withdrawal symptoms.– Headache– Lethargy– Low energy– Irritability– Depression

Stimulant - Cocaine

• Cocaine is a powerful, illegal substance

• Ways in which cocaine is used?– Snorting– Smoking (freebasing)– Injection

Physical Effects of Cocaine

• Physical effects– Feeling of exhilaration and a burst of energy,

followed by depression as the drug wears off.– Increased heart rate and blood pressure– Loss of appetite– Convulsions– Crack cocaine• a concentrated form of cocaine that is smoked. This is

one of the most dangerous and addictive drugs used.

Crack-Craving Cycle

2. It gives the user an intense high, but it only lasts

15 minutes.

3. Severe crashfollowed by severe craving for more.

1. The crack high starts quickly

Stimulants cont.

• Amphetamines – drugs prescribed to stimulate the central nervous system.– (speed, diet pills, uppers, crank, ice)

Stimulants - Methamphetamines

• Dramatically affects the CNS• Synthetic – manufactured by people (not a

natural plant)• Low cost - made from OTC drugs• Various methods of use:– Injected– Smoked (most dangerous and addictive)

• People use meth for the rush, for energy, weight loss or to self-medicate.

What does a Meth user looks like?

Meth Use - Before & After

Depressants

Depressants

• Depressants – drugs that slow down the body’s functions and reactions.

– Commonly called sedatives– Reduce blood pressure and slow down the heart

rate and breathing rate.– Doctors may prescribe to relieve anxiety,

nervousness, and sleeplessness.– Frequently abused

Depressants

• Main kind of depressants

– Tranquilizers (relaxation…Valium, Xanax)– Barbiturates (effects mood, sleep)– Hypnotics (sleep, anxiety)

Heath Ledger

• Heath Ledger’s death was an accident resulting from the abuse of prescription medications

• Heath had six prescription drugs, including anti-anxiety medications and sleeping pills.

Any Questions?