STIMULANTSBy: Sloane Smith and Mariah White

IB Chemistry

AMPHETAMINES

DEVELOPMENT

Amphetamine was first synthesized by Lazar Edeleano in Germany in 1887, but it only entered clinical medicine in the late 1920s when its psycho-stimulant effect was recognized.

Amphetamine is structurally related to ephedrine, a natural stimulant found in plants of the genus Ephedra that was used to dilate the bronchial sacs of the lungs in the treatment of breathing disorders. The US medical and pharmaceutical establishment was worried that supplies of Ephedra in faraway China would be exhausted so an alternative was synthesized. Amphetamine promised a cheap and synthetic substitute.

EPINEPHRINE VS. AMPHETAMINE

Amphetamine is structurally related to epinephrine (derived from the phenylethylamine structure)and therefore produces similar results. Sympathomimetic drugs (substances that mimic the

effects of the sympathetic [fight or flight] nervous system)

Amphetamine: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Amphetamine_structure.png

Nonpolar Epinephrine:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Epinephrine_structure.svg/426px-Epinephrine_structure.svg.png

Polar

HOW DO THEY WORK When ingested, many of the biological reactions

normally controlled by neurotransmitters are elicited. Because it is not metabolized as rapidly as

adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine (these are all polar where amphetamine is nonpolar), it remains active in the body longer and effects can still be felt four to six hours after oral ingestion of a relatively small dose.

Use results in an increase the synaptic activity of the dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitter systems causing:

the release of dopamine from axon terminals blocking dopamine reuptake Inhibition of the storage of dopamine in vesicles Inhibition of the destruction of dopamine by enzymes

PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS

The drug results in a increased blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature, dilated pupils, decreased appetite and fatigue, and stimulated respiration, followed by feelings of happiness and power . Using 10-15 mg daily allows an individual to feel alert and confident in performing physical and mental work providing for an increase in levels of activity.

USES

Commonly used to treat ADHD in adults

and children, asthma symptoms of

traumatic brain injury, and daytime

drowsiness symptoms of narcolepsy and

chronic fatigue syndrome. Initially it was

popular to diminish the appetite and to

control weight.

EXAMPLES

Dexedrine, Benzedrine, Ritalin, Adderall, Vyvanse, Methamphetamine , and Ecstasy.

DEPENDENCY

Dependency arises from the desire to

continue and heighten the euphoric

effects of the drug. Long terms effects

include: insomnia, restlessness, “paranoid

psychosis”, hallucinations, violent and

aggressive behavior, weight loss, and

tremors

INTERESTING FACTS

From 1942, Hitler received daily methamphetamine injections

During World War II amphetamine was extensively used to combat fatigue and increase alertness in soldiers

Under Canada's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, possession of amphetamines or their derivatives is a criminal offense

CAFFEINE

GENERAL INFORMATION

Caffeine = Trimethylxanthine (C8H10N4O2)

Found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cacao beans, some soft drinks, energy drinks, and also some pain killers and other medicine.

Caffeine is addictive. Alkaloid:

Compounds from plants. They all have nitrogen, a tertiary amine, and heterocyclic rings.

Other examples: morphine, codeine, cocaine, and nicotine.

USES

Medical Uses: Mild diuretic Cardiac Stimulant

Recreational Uses: Increases alertness Increases concentration (Helps people to stay awake…)

HOW DOES CAFFEINE WORK?

1) Adenosine (a chemical found in the brain) bonds to adenosine receptors. • Slows nerve cell activity and causes blood

vessels to dilate

2) Caffeine because it is so structurally similar to adenosine, is able to bind to adenosine receptors, thus blocking adenosine. • Nerve cells speed up• Neuron firing increases

3) Pituitary glands tricked into producing adrenaline

STRUCTURE

EFFECTS

Increases dopamine levels (like amphetamines, heroine, and cocain) Dopamine: Neurotransmitter . Activates “pleasure

center.” Linked to causes for addiction

Sort-term Effects: Increases alertness, concentration, and

restlessness Long-term Effects:

Increased irritability and jumpiness Sleep problems

Caffeine’s half-life is about 6 hrs. (If 200mg is consumed at 3:00pm, 100mg will still be there at 9pm.)

Increases dependency

ADDICTION…

“When you get in the cycle of using caffeine, you have to keep taking the drug. Even worse, if you try to stop taking caffeine, you get very tired and depressed and you get a terrible, splitting headache as blood vessels in the brain dilate. These negative effects force you to run back to caffeine even if you want to stop.”

-Marshall Brain, How Stuff Works

INTERESTING INFORMATION Theobromine in chocolate, a chemical that is similar to

caffeine, is toxic to dogs (100-150 mg/kg of body weight) CHOCOLATE POISONING

This can occur in humans too. 150 mg/kg

Children and infants should stay away from caffeine… Recent studies have shown…:

“Regular coffee drinkers are 80 percent less likely to develop Parkinson's disease.

Two cups a day gives you 20 percent less risk of colon cancer. Two cups a day causes an 80 percent drop in cirrhosis. Two cups a day prevents gallstone development by 50 percent. It has also shown to be beneficial in asthma,

stopping headaches, boosting mood and even preventing cavities” (howitworks.com)

NICOTINE

GENERAL INFORMATION

C10H14N2

Found in tobacco plant Sympathomimetic

Drug that mimics the effects of the sympathetic nervous system (speeds heart, contracts blood vessels)

Increases concentration Releases tension

Absorbed through: Skin Lungs Mucous membranes

STRUCTURE

HOW IT WORKS

Once absorbed, Nicotine travels through the blood stream to the brain. This then releases it to the rest of your body.

This happens quickly (10-15 minutes) Removal Process:

Enzymes in liver break about 80% down into cotinine.

Also metabolized in lungs to cotinine and nicotine oxide.

Cotinine is excreted through urine. Kidneys filter all remaining nicotine which is then

also excreted through urine.

HOW IT WORKS (CONTINUED)

Acetylcholine: Neurotransmitter. Delivers signals from brain to muscles Controls functions such as heart beat, breathing,

and energy level Directs flow of information to brain

When involving nicotine…: Neurons release more acetylcholine

Heightened cholinergic activity (Increases awareness) Activates “reward pathways”

Gives you pleasant emotions → leads to addiction Glutamate (neurotransmitter involved in memory

and learning) released Can create a “memory loop” of pleasant emotions

HOW IT WORKS (CONTINUED)

USES

Studies have shown that nicotine may slow an on-set of Alzheimer’s Disease Cholinergic Nerves

May reduce symptoms of Turrette's Syndrome

PHYSICAL EFFECTS

Short-term: Can relax and/or invigorate Causes release of adrenaline

Long-term: May block insulin release May increase basal metabolic rate

Burn more calories at rest HOWEVER, this may also increase LDL levels in the body.

Higher risk of heart attack or stroke. Increased risk of heart problems (disease), coronary

thrombosis, Emphysema, Cancer, and Stroke Increase of stomach acid

Increased risk of peptic ulcers

SMOKING

There are 8 to 20mg of Nicotine per cigaretteOnly 1mg is actually absorbed…

Risks:Chronic lung disease, cancers of the lung,

mouth, and throat, and it can cause problems in pregnancies.

Withdrawal Symptoms:Nausea, weight gain, insomnia, irritability,

and depression

INTERESTING INFORMATION

5% of the tobacco plant is nicotine. There is a genetic defect in which the liver

cannot process and break down nicotine. This causes nicotine levels to stay higher for longer periods of time without smoking.

Nicotine increases the number of neurotransmitters and chemicals in the brain Endorphins

WORKS CITED

Brain, M. (2008). How Stuff works. Hoboken, NJ: Cartwell Books, Inc.

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/amp.html

http://www.aadac.com/87_419.asp www.un.org/ga/20special/featur/amphet.htm http://www.well.com/user/woa/fsstim.htm http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.co

m/sympathomimetic http://health.howstuffworks.com/caffeine.htm http://health.howstuffworks.com/caffeine.htm http://www.natural-remedies-review.com/ima

ge-files/chemical-structure-caffeine.png