Drugs and Behavior
Dr. Renjilian
Week 5 - Familiar Stimulants - Nicotine and Caffeine
Nicotine
Nicotine has both simulating and depressant qualities.
It is highly toxic, and only 60 mg are needed to kill a human non-smoker
It occurs naturally in Tobacco (only 2 of the 60 species can be consumed by humans)
History
Westerners found Native Americans smoking dried tobacco leaves in the 15th century
The Spanish cornered the market on tobacco until the 1600's when the English were able to grow it in Virginia
Since that time many attempts have been made to stop the spread of smoking
Nicotine as a Medicine
Simultaneously administered to all openings of the head
Swallowed to reach impaired internal organs
Ashes used to clean teeth
Introduced into the intestines via smoke or tobacco enema
Injected into the vagina
Warning labels are enforced by the FTC
Nicotine has not traditionally been examined by the FDA, because it is an agricultural product
"Smokeless" cigarettes have had difficulty getting approved as they are viewed as nictotine delivery systems
Action/Absorbtion of Nicotine
Nicotine is a cholinergic agonist, and stimulates acetylcholine (ACH) receptors at low doses (producing stimulant effects)
Larger doses lead to the retardation of neural transmission
Nicotine can be absorbed through almost any membrane in the body
Absorption is easier if the medium is acidic (e.g., smoke), which takes 7 seconds to reach the brain once inhaled
Action/Absorbtion of Nicotine
The more basic (less processed) the product the more easily it is absorbed
Half-life is @ 8 minutes, as the liver, lungs and kidneys metabolize the drug fairly quickly
Nicotine is associated with rapid tolerance and extreme withdrawal when the drug is removed
It is highly addictive, with 85% of those trying the drug becoming addicted
Caffeine - History
The word coffee comes from the Arab word Qahweh, which means "wine drunk hot"
Coffee was popularized in Muslim cultures
Coffee became the national here after the British imposed taxes on tea
Known as
The Cradle to Grave Drug
- chocolate to coffee
Caffeine is found in...
Beverages (100 mg in coffee, 30 mg in cola, 50+ mg in tea)
Food (@ 10 mg in chocolate)
Prescription Drugs (Fiorinal, Darvon)
OTC Medications (Dristan 30 mg., Midol 30 mg., ViVarin 100 - 200 mg)
Action/Absorbtion of Caffeine
Caffeine has a variety of effects on physical and mental functioning
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