PS268 Chapter Notes - Chapter 16: Strychnine, Caffeine, Anabolic Steroid
Document Summary
The early greek olympians used various herbs and mushrooms that might have had some pharmacological actions as stimulants. Various psychoactive plants were used by tribal peoples during battles and hunts. Strychnine, now used as rat poisoning, is a cns stimulant at low doses (high doses = seizure activity) Use lowered after introduction of amphetamines but continued into the 1960s. Cocaine was also available in the 1900s, first in the form of mariani"s coca wine, referred to as wine for athletes . When pure cocaine became available, athletes adopted this potent form. Coffee was also used as mild stimulant and some added pure caffeine to their coffee or took caffein tablets. The word dope is derived from dutch word used in south africa to refer to cheap brandy given to racing dogs or horses to slow them down. Unclear when athletes first started using it, probably soon after drugs were introduced in.
