PSYC 3030 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Harrison Narcotics Tax Act, Stimulant Psychosis, Freebase

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 3030
• Professor: Masood Kamlani

Document Summary

Many drugs that are used for recreational and medical purposes are referred to as stimulants because they heighten mood, increase alertness and decrease fatigue. Controlled stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, methylphenidate (ritalin) and related compounds are discussed in this chapter. We look at history of stimulant use, some of the effects of these drugs as we review their history and finally a more detailed pharmacology of these stimulants. Early use of cocaine has been traced to bolivia, ecuador, northern argentina and peru, where a low shrub called the coca bush or coca tree grows. From the leaves of this plant comes the powerful stimulant cocaine. Chewing coca leaves was a common thing back in the day. The coca leaf had important religious significance to the inca people but was used for medicinal and work-related purposes as well. Until the 1800s, the coca plant was relatively unknown in europe.