Route of administration

• Oral–the leaves of coca plant are sometimes chewed and is absorbed through mucuous membranes of the mouth.
• Snorted – cocaine is usually snorted or taken through nasal passages.

Short term effects of stimulants
The main effects include

• A feeling of well being, Euphoria.
• Sense of super abundant energy, increased self – confidence.
• An increased motor and speedy activity.
• A suppression of appetite (which is why it is used in diet pills).
• An increased falls feeling of masking fatigue.
• Pupilary dilation, dryness of mouth increased respiration, heart rate and blood pressure reduced a gastro intestinal activity and urinary retention.
• With larger doses, very rapid heart beats, hyper tension, head ache profuse sweating, severe agitation and tremors.

Stimulants

• Stimulants are drugs which excite or speed up central nervous system.
• The most prevalent stimulant are nicotine (Tobacco products) and caffeine (Tea and Coffee).
• The more potent stimulant drugs are amphetamines and cocaine.

Amphetamines
Amphetamines are synthetic drugs.
Amphetamines are white, odorless, crystalline powder with bitter taste they are supplied loose or in the form of capsule or tablets.

Amphetamines are used abused by

• Students, to ward off sleep, enabling them to study late night
• Athletes, to mask feelings of fatigue and increase their endurance
• Busy executives use stimulants to increase their activity during the day and the depressant to calm down the sleep during night.

Route of administration
Oral–generally taken in the form of tablets and capsules

Cocaine
Cocaine, g class="subtitle">Long term effects of stimulants

• Chronic sleep problems.
• Poor appetite.
• Rapid and irregular heart beats.
• Impotence.
• Mood swing.
• Anxiety and tension states are the long term effects of stimulant abuse.
• Acts of violence, Homicide and suicide rates among the stimulant abuser are high.
• Chronic use may produce ‘Amphetamines psychosis’.

Withdrawal symptoms of stimulant

• Extreme fatigue
• Prolonged but disturbed sleep
• Voracious Appetite
• Irritability and moderate to severe depression are the common withdrawals.