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u.s. drug enforcement administration photo library » :: 
 WHAT ARE STIMULANTS?
Stimulants are a group of drugs that stimulate the central
nervous system. They produce an increase in alertness and activity.
Caffeine [found in coffee, cola, tea, and chocolate] and nicotine
[found in tobacco products] are stimulants. Others are ephedrine
and phenylpropanolamine. The strongest stimulants are cocaine,
amphetamines such as dextroamphetamine and methamphetamine,
and methylphenidate [Ritalin].
The stimulant drugs cocaine, methamphetamine ["Ice"],
nicotine [in tobacco], and caffeine are described in separate
fact sheets in this series. This fact sheet will focus on
other drugs in the stimulant group.
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WHAT ARE THE GENERAL EFFECTS OF STIMULANTS?
Stimulants speed up heart and breathing rates, and increase
blood pressure. They also reduce appetite, interfere with sleep,
and increase anxiety. These effects increase with larger doses.
Speech may become rapid, and reflexes may become faster.
Use of amphetamines causes a feeling of euphoria, increased
alertness, and greater energy. As the drug wears off, fatigue
and depression occur.
WHAT MEDICAL USES DO STIMULANTS HAVE?
Caffeine is used in some medications to help keep the user
from getting sleepy. Ephedrine is in certain nasal inhalers
and cold preparations. Phenylpropanolamine is in many over-the
counter "diet pills" and nasal decongestants.
Medical use of amphetamines is legally restricted in Michigan
to treating certain rare sleep disorders. Ritalin is used in
the treatment of children with attention deficit and attention
deficit hyperactivity disorders.
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WHAT LEGAL NON-MEDICAL USES ARE THERE FOR STIMULANTS?
Some of these drugs have legal nonmedical uses. Caffeine is
found in coffee, tea, many soft drinks, and chocolate. It is
used in products to keep the user awake. Nicotine is the active,
addicting chemical found in tobacco products. Though legal,
such use can cause health problems.
WHAT RISKS OCCUR WITH STIMULANTS?
Overuse and abuse can occur with all of the stimulant drugs.
Caffeine dependency can develop. Nicotine dependency leads
to serious health damage and death. "Diet" pills
can be abused with serious health problems.
Decongestants and "diet" pills containing phenylpropanolamine
elevate blood pressure. For some sensitive users, a dose
just three times the normal dose can be fatal.
Caffeine increases blood pressure and can cause rapid, irregular
heartbeat. Even caffeine can on rare occasions cause an overdose
which can result in seizures, respiratory failure, and death.
Risks caused by methamphetamines are described in a separate
fact sheet in this series. Risks that occur with amphetamines
are described below.
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WHAT IMMEDIATE RISKS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH AMPHETAMINES?
Even small, infrequent doses of amphetamines can produce risky
effects in some people. These include restlessness, anxiety,
mood swings, panic, paranoid thoughts, and hallucinations.
High blood pressure, rapid or irregular heart beat, convulsions,
coma, stroke, and heart failure may occur. Death can result
from amphetamine overdose. The risk is greatest when the drug
is injected.
In high doses, amphetamines and cocaine can cause psychotic
episodes.
Use of these drugs increases self confidence which may lead
to risky behavior. Lack of sleep can cause slowed reaction
time and reduced watchfulness. These factors may lead to injury
or death in traffic crashes, for instance.
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WHAT LONG-TERM RISKS OCCUR WITH AMPHETAMINES?
Heavy, frequent doses of amphetamines can produce brain damage,
resulting in speech disturbances and difficulty in turning
thoughts into words. The larger and more frequent the doses,
the greater these risks.
Chronic amphetamine users frequently neglect their diet, resulting
in low resistance to illness and infections, malnutrition,
skin disorders, ulcers, and diseases resulting from vitamin
deficiency. Lack of sleep and weight loss often occur. Long-term
users may also have acne resembling a measles rash, and dry
brittle hair. They may have trouble with teeth, gums, and nails.
Users who inject these drugs are at risk for life-threatening
diseases such as HIV/ AIDS, lung and heart diseases, other
cardiovascular diseases, and hepatitis.
Amphetamine users often take sleeping pills or alcohol to
try to relieve the insomnia that follows amphetamine use. They
may then take amphetamines again to shake off the drowsiness
caused by these depressants. This up and down cycle is very
hard on the body. It also increases the chance of an unintended
overdose.
Large doses can result in amphetamine psychosis. People in
this state are suspicious and paranoid. They often show bizarre
or violent behavior Frequent heavy use of the drug can cause
mental illness, suicide, and death.
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CAN USERS BECOME DEPENDENT ON AMPHETAMINES?
Regular use, even at low doses, can cause dependency. Those
who use amphetamines regularly at high dose: are at greater
risk to become dependent.
Dependent users feel that they need the drug to get by.
Withdrawal symptoms occur if use is stopped. They often keep
taking amphetamines
to avoid the "down" mood they feel when the drug
wears off.
HOW COMMON IS STIMULANT USE?
Stimulant use has been increasing among US teens since 1991.
In 1997, stimulants had been used in the past year by 8.1 %
of eighth graders, 12.1% of tenth graders, and 10.2% of twelfth
graders. Stimulants had been used in the past month by 3.8%
of eighth graders, 5.1% of tenth graders, and 4.8% of twelfth
graders.
According to the 1996 National Household Survey, among US
youth aged 12 to 17, 2.2% had used stimulants in their lifetime,
1.5% had used in the past year, and .5% had used stimulants
in the past month. Current use [in the past month] among teenagers
is very near the same rate as that for young adults aged 18-25.
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WHAT PROBLEMS ARE CAUSED BY AMPHETAMINE AND OTHER STIMULANT
USE DURING PREGNANCY?
All stimulants, even caffeine, can affect the mother's sleeping
and eating habits. These influence the mother's general health
and the growth and development of the fetus. The United States
Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning about the
possible adverse effects of caffeine on the fetus.
Amphetamines used during pregnancy cross the placenta and
affect the fetal heart rate and blood flow. Exposure to these
drugs has been linked to brain abnormalities. Birth defects
in the heart, urogenital system, and liver can occur. Cases
of newborns suffering withdrawal symptoms have been reported.
Studies suggest that children exposed to amphetamines before
birth are very excitable.
Women who are pregnant, considering pregnancy, or breast-feeding
should not use amphetamines. A pregnant woman should discuss
use of any stimulants, including coffee and nicotine, with
her physician.
LEGAL INFORMATION
There are no legal restrictions on the sale or use of caffeine,
or overthe-counter preparations that contain stimulants.
Amphetamines, methamphetamine, methyl phenidate, and other
stimulants described in this fact sheet are classified as Controlled
Substances by Michigan and federal law. Use, possession, delivery,
possession with intent to deliver, and manufacture of the drug
are all illegal without appropriate license or prescription
. Penalties include imprisonment and fines. Certain penalties
are mandatory. Penalties are increased if a person eighteen
years or older distributes the drug to a person under eighteen,
or distributes the drug near school property.
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