Overview of Central Nervous System Stimulants (CNS Stimulants)

CNS Stimulants speed up the operation of the brain and spinal cord. It is important to emphasize the that “speed up does not mean “improve” or “enhance”. The CNS Stimulants definitely do not make the brain work better. Rather, they cause the brain and the rest of the nervous system to work harder, and often to make more mistakes.

The “speeding up” caused by the CNS Stimulant results in significantly increased heartbeat, respiration and blood pressure, all of which can lead to physical harm to the abuser. In addition, the stimulant user experiences nervousness, irritability, and inability to concentrate or think clearly.

Possible Effects of CNS Stimulants

Cocaine and amphetamine (Meth) produce euphoria, a feeling that there are no problems.  A feeling of super strength and absolute self confidence may also be present. With cocaine, but not with amphetamine, there is a anesthetic effect, i.e., a dulling of pain. Stimulant users tend to become hyperactive, eg., nervous, extremely talkative and unable to stand still. CNS Stimulants also tend to release the users inhibitions, and to impair the user’s ability to perceive time and distance. Person’s under the influence of CNS Stimulants become easily confused and lose the ability to concentrate or to think clearly for any length of time.

General indicators:

• Pulse rate up
• Blood pressure up
• Body temperature up
• Restlessness
• Euphoria
• Anxiety
• Talkativeness
• irritability
• Runny nose
• Redness to nasal area
• Grinding teeth
• Leg and eyelid tremors
• Rigid muscle tone
• Track marks (needle marks)

Signs and Symptoms of Stimulant Overdose

The euphoria expected by a stimulant user can be replaced by panic if an overdose is taken. The user may become very confused, and suddenly aggressive. They can suffer convulsions, and possibly faint or pass into a coma. Heartbeat will increase possibly dramatically, and heart arrhythmia (irregular beating) may develope. This may lead to cardiac arrest. Death can also occur from sudden respitory failure.

Another danger is that subject or their friends may attempt to counteract the overdose with barbiturates, possibly leading to an overdose of CNS Depressants. Overdoses of cocaine and amphetamines can cause the pleasurable effects to turn into panic and often violent behavior. If the the overdose is caused by cocaine, it is commonly referred to as, Cocaine Psychosis, or Cocaine Delirium, Hallucinations may occur and many overdose victims complain of the feeling that bugs are crawling under their skin. This is commonly known as “coke bugs”.

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