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SHEPHERDVILLE COLLEGE
Talojongon, Tigaon, Camarines Sur
College of Education Department

2nd Semester (Batch 2)
AY 2020 – 2021
DRUG EDUCATION, CONSUMER HEALTH AND HEALTHY EATING
MODULE 4:
STIMULANT AND DEPRESSANT DRUGS
INTRODUCTION
Stimulants and depressants are almost opposites. The only commonality

between the two is that they both have an altering effect on the body and mind.
But the effects they have on the body and the mind are expressed in
profoundly different ways. While stimulants work to activate the central
nervous system (CNS), depressants work to quiet it. That‘s why stimulants are
known as ―uppers‖ and depressants are known as ―downers.‖
The CNS is made up of the brain and spinal cord. It takes in information
from the peripheral nervous system and sends information to the network of
nerves outside the brain. It then integrates the information and coordinates
and influences the activity of all parts of the body.
The brain and the body can easily become dependent on the stimulating
or sedating effects of stimulants or depressants respectively. Over time, the
individual might need to consume more and more of a drug — or mix the drug
with other substances — to achieve the same initial effects. This process is
known as developing a tolerance.
As a person‘s tolerance increases, their risk of addiction and life-

threatening overdose increases as well.
SHENA J. SERRA, LPT,RND 1

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DRUG EDUCATION, CONSUMER HEALTH & HEALTHY
SHEPHERDVILLE COLLEGE
Talojongon, Tigaon, Camarines Sur
College of Education Department

2nd Semester (Batch 2)
AY 2020 – 2021
SAQ #1 – 15 points
Why do only some people get addicted to drugs? (5 points)
Are all drugs addictive? What
makes them addictive? (10 points)
B. COMPETENCY #1 :
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
1. State and value the effects of stimulant drugs.

a. Cocaine
b. Amphetamine
c. Nicotine
d. herbal Stimulants
e. Synthetic cathinone
f. Benzylpiperazine
g. Caffeine
2. State and value the effects of depressant drugs.
a. Endorphins
b. Heroin
c. Pxycodone
d. Barbiturates
e. Alcohol
3. Differentiate the effects of stimulant and depressant drugs.

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SHEPHERDVILLE
COLLEGE
College of Education
Department
2nd Semester (Batch
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Cocaine is a stimulant drug, which means that it speeds up the messages

travelling between the brain and the rest of the body.
Stimulants a drug that speed up the brain and central nervous system
Amphetamine, a synthetic compound chemically derived from ephedrine, a

natural alkaloid with euphoretic properties.
CONTEXT
Drugs can be classified in many ways. For example, they can be classified
according to:
 uses (medicinal or recreational)

 effect on the body (the specific effect on the central nervous system)
 source of the substance (synthetic or plant)
 legal status (legal/illegal)
 risk status (dangerous/safe).
One of the most common and useful ways of classifying a drug is by the
effect that it has on a person's central nervous system. The brain is the major
part of the central nervous system, and this is where psycho-active drugs have
their main effect.
SHENA J. SERRA, LPT,RND |

3
EATING
SHEPHERDVILLE
COLLEGE
Department
2nd Semester (Batch
STIMULANT DRUGS
Stimulants, What do they do?

As the name implies, stimulant drugs have an energizing effect that
promotes an increase in psychological and/or motor activity. They speed up
the brain and central nervous system. Stimulants such as cocaine and the
amphetamines have their most pronounced effect on the monoamine
neurotransmitters (i.e., dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine,
and epenephrine) in the brain.
They also stimulate the physiological mechanisms that are triggered in
stressful situations (the ‗‗fight or flight‖ response) via activation of the
sympathetic nervous system. These include increases in heart rate and blood
pressure and the release of various hormones. The arousing and euphoric
effects associated with these drugs are associated with these various actions.
Other stimulant drugs are caffeine and nicotine. These drugs have
various mechanisms of action, but their net effect is to stimulate central
nervous system (CNS) activity.
Major Stimulants of the Central Nervous System.

A. Cocaine
Description: Cocaine is a stimulant drug, which means that it speeds up
the messages travelling between the brain and the rest of the body.
Cocaine comes from the leaves of the coca bush (Erythroxylum coca),
which is native to South America.
The leaf extract is processed to produce three different forms of cocaine:
SHENA J. SERRA, LPT,RND |

4
EATING
SHEPHERDVILLE
COLLEGE
Department
2nd Semester (Batch
A. Cocaine hydrochloride: a fine white powder with a bitter,

numbing taste.
o Cocaine hydrochloride is often mixed, or ‗cut‘, with other
substances such as lidocaine, talcum powder or sugar to
dilute it before being sold.
B. Freebase: a white powder that is more pure with less impurity
than cocaine hydrochloride.
C. Crack: crystals ranging in colour from white or cream to
transparent with a pink or yellow hue, it may contain impurities.
Other Terms: Crack, blow, rock, snow, coke
How it is Used: Snorted, smoked, or injected
Effects on the Body: Causes dizziness, headache, stimulates the brain and
spinal cord, and increased heart rate. Elevated blood pressure, increased
body temperature, increased breathing rate.
B. Amphetamines
Description:
 Amphetamine is a synthetic compound chemically derived from
ephedrine, a natural alkaloid with euphoretic properties.
Other Terms: Speed, up, uppers, louee, goey, whiz, rack
How it is Used: Amphetamines are generally swallowed, injected or
smoked.
 They are also snorted.
Effects on the Body:
 cause variable psychological dependence and low physical
dependence and generate tolerance rapidly.

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SHEPHERDVILLE
COLLEGE
Department
2nd Semester (Batch
 The effects of low or moderate doses are: a state of euphoria, sleep

loss, decreased appetite, perception of an apparent improvement of
overall fitness, increased breathing rate, and bronchial dilation, dry
mouth and increased blood pressure and body temperature.
 Prolonged use or high doses cause irritability and paranoia,
hallucinations and delirium, respiratory and cardiac abnormalities
and seizures.
Minor stimulants of the Central Nervous System
Description: Nicotine is a stimulant drug that speeds up the messages

a. Nicotine
travelling between the brain and body.
 It is the main psychoactive ingredient in tobacco products and so this
Drug Facts page will focus on the effects of nicotine when consumed
by using tobacco.
 Tar and carbon monoxide (a toxic gas) are also released when tobacco
is burned, such as when it‘s smoked.
 Products such as cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco,
and wet and dry snuff and the dried leaves from the tobacco plant all
contain nicotine.
 Electronic cigarettes (also known as E cigarettes) do not contain dried
tobacco leaves, but they may still contain nicotine.
Other Terms: Tobacco; found in cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco
How it is Used: Smoked or chewed
 Tobacco which contains nicotine is usually smoked in cigarettes.

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SHEPHERDVILLE
COLLEGE
Department
2nd Semester (Batch
 It is also smoked in cigars and pipes.

 There are numerous forms of smokeless tobacco including chewing
tobacco, and wet and dry.
Effects on the Body: Reduces appetite and can cause nausea and
vomiting, increases alertness.
Description: Synthetic drugs (or designer drugs) are substances that are
b. Synthetic drugs
obtained by chemically synthesizing other drugs. Usually they are derived
from drugs that, because of their contraindications, have not come into use
or whose use was abandoned due to having scant therapeutic interest.
Types of cathinones commonly used:
 Mephedrone (4-MMC), M-CAT)
 Methylone
 Methcathinone
 Buphedrone
 Bupropion
 Pyrovalerone
 Alpha-Pyrrolidinovalerophenone (alpha-PVP)
 MDPV
How it is Used: Synthetic cathinones are usually snorted, swallowed or
injected.
When taken orally the desired effects are typically seen within 15–45
minutes. After snorting the desired effect is anecdotally reported to occur
within a few minutes.
 The effects usually last for approximately 2-4 hours.

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SHEPHERDVILLE
COLLEGE
Department
2nd Semester (Batch
Effects on the Body:

There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk.
It‘s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.
Synthetic cathinones affect everyone differently, based on:
 the amount taken
 a person‘s size, weight and health
 whether the person is used to taking it
 whether other drugs are taken around the same time
 the strength of the drug (which can vary from batch to batch)
Description: is a recreational drug with euphoriant and stimulant

c. Benzylpiperazine
properties. The effects produced by BZP are comparable to those produced
by amphetamine.
 Its sale is banned in several countries, including Australia, Canada,
New Zealand, the United States, the Republic of Ireland, the United
Kingdom, Bulgaria, Romania and other parts of Europe.
Other Terms: Alternative chemical names for BZP include 1-benzyl-1,4-
diazacyclohexane, N-benzylpiperazine and, less precisely, benzylpiperazine.
Street names have included A2, Legal X and Pep X.
 In New Zealand, piperazine derivatives were commonly known as
‘party pills’. Like ecstasy, other names may reflect the particular logo
on tablets.
Effects on the Body: Adverse effects have been reported following its use
including acute psychosis, renal toxicity and seizures.
 Rapid mood elevation

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SHEPHERDVILLE
COLLEGE
Department
2nd Semester (Batch
 Enhanced sociability
 Enhanced appreciation of music
 Increased desire to move, also slight increase in stereotypy
 Skin tingling
 Decreased appetite
 Repetitive thought patterns
 Actual and perceived changes in body temperature
 Mild jaw clenching/bruxism
 Increased heart rate
 No deaths have been reported following a sole ingestion of BZP,
although there have been at least two deaths from the combination of
BZP and MDMA.
Description: Caffeine is a stimulant drug, which means it speeds up the

d. Caffeine
messages travelling between the brain and the body.
Other Terms: Coffee, tea, cocoa, soft drinks, and some medications
How it is Used: Orally in pill form or consumed in food and drinks
Effects on the Body: Reduces fine motor coordination, increases alertness,
alters sleep patterns, and can cause headaches, nervousness, and dizziness.

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SHEPHERDVILLE
COLLEGE
Department
2nd Semester (Batch
Mixing stimulants and depressants can be dangerous. Stimulants

mask the effects of the depressant so you can end up taking much
more, particularly with alcohol. The body‘s normal response to too
much alcohol is to eventually pass out but because stimulants prevent
this happening even more alcohol can be taken. If further depressant
drugs such as benzos or opiates are added then the risk of coma is
much increased because of the amount of alcohol consumed. • Mixing
cocaine and alcohol is particularly risky, as the alcohol alters the way
the body normally breaks down cocaine. This results in a chemical
called cocaethylene. Cocaethylene is more toxic than both drugs alone
and it remains in the body longer. The heart and liver are put under
prolonged stress; sudden deaths many hours later have been linked to
this effect. • Antidepressants, whether prescribed by a doctor or not,
can be dangerous when taken with amphetamines (speed). Some
combinations can cause dangerously high blood pressure and fast or
irregular heartbeat. People prescribed antiepileptic medications should
be very cautious as the levels of their prescribed medications in the
blood may be altered. This means they are much more at risk of a
seizure induced by the stimulant.
SAQ # 2: 10 points
What Are Stimulants? (3 points)
What Are the Side Effects of Stimulants? (2 points)
Are Stimulants Addictive? (5 points)

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SHEPHERDVILLE
COLLEGE
Department
2nd Semester (Batch
DEPRESSANT
Depressant substances reduce arousal and stimulation. They do not

necessarily make a person feel depressed. They affect the central nervous
system, slowing down the messages between the brain and the body.
They can affect concentration and coordination. They slow down a

person‘s ability to respond to unexpected situations. In small doses they can
cause a person to feel more relaxed and less inhibited.
How are they used?
How depressants are used depends on the specific type, for example
alcohol is drunk and benzodiazepines are usually swallowed but can also be
injected. Generally speaking, depressants can be swallowed, drunk as a
beverage, injected, snorted or inhaled.
Commonly used depressants

Figure 4.1: Commonly Used Depressants
Endorphins heroin pxycocdone barbiturates Alcohol

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SHEPHERDVILLE
COLLEGE
Department
2nd Semester (Batch
ENDORPHINS
Description:
 chemicals produced by the body to relieve stress and pain.

 They work similarly to a class of drugs called opioids.
 Opioids relieve pain and can produce a feeling of euphoria.
 They are sometimes prescribed for short-term use after surgery or for
pain-relief.
Some of the more common opioid drugs include:
 Oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, Fentany
HEROIN
Description: A white or brown powder or a black, sticky goo.
 It's an opioid drug made from morphine, a natural substance in the

seedpod of the Asian poppy plant.
 It can be mixed with water and injected with a needle. Heroin can also be
smoked or snorted up the nose.
 All of these ways of taking heroin send it to the brain very quickly. This
makes it very addictive.
 Major health problems from heroin include miscarriages, heart

infections, and death from overdose.

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SHEPHERDVILLE
COLLEGE
Department
2nd Semester (Batch
 People who inject the drug also risk getting infectious diseases, including
HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.
BARBITURATES
Description: Barbiturates are drugs derived from barbituric acid. Depending

on the dose and formula it may have sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, or
anesthetic effects.
To reduce anxiety or to help with sleep problems because of their higher

risk of overdose compared to benzodiazepines. However, they are still used in
surgical procedures and for seizure disorders.
OXYCOCDONE
Description:
Oxycodone may be habit-forming. Oxycodone may cause serious or life-

threatening breathing problems, especially during the first 24 to 72 hours of
your treatment and any time your dose is increased.
Higher doses can cause impairment of memory, judgment and

coordination, irritability, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts. Some people
experience the opposite of the intended effect, such as agitation or aggression.
ALCOHOL
Description: Alcohol is a depressant drug, which slows down messages

travelling between the brain and body.

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SHEPHERDVILLE
COLLEGE
Department
2nd Semester (Batch
 The two main types of alcohol based on their chemical composition

are:
o methyl alcohol (methanol), which is the simplest of the alcohols

and is used as a solvent, antifreeze and in industrial applications;
and ethyl alcohol (ethanol), which is what alcoholic beverages
contain.
o Ethyl alcohol is obtained through the fermentation of sugars from

different plants.
Other Terms: Booze, grog, piss, liquor, charge, nip.
Effects on the Body: From a physical standpoint, the short term effects of
alcoholic beverage intake are impaired balance, movement, speech and vision,
hurried and unintelligible expression, decreased ability to concentrate,
drowsiness, and despondency, irritability, nausea, vomiting and/or headaches.
Effects of depressants
There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some
risk. It‘s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.
Depressants affect everyone differently, based on: size, weight and health
whether the person is used to taking it whether other drugs are taken around
the same time the amount taken the strength of the drug (this varies from
batch to batch with illegally produced drugs).

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SHEPHERDVILLE
COLLEGE
Department
2nd Semester (Batch
The onset and effects of depressants vary according to the type and
specific chemical. Some depressants may work instantly, with effects only
lasting for a short time (such as inhalants), while other depressants may take
longer for the effects to start and the duration of effects may last longer.
Using depressants with other drugs
 Alcohol + benzodiazepines: decreased heart rate and breathing; overdose

more likely.
 Benzodiazepines + opiates (such as heroin): breathing difficulties; an

increased risk of overdose and death.
SAQ #3: 10 points

How important is depressant drug in medical aspect?
C. SUMMARY
 Studies of the pharmacological actions of drugs of abuse indicate that

their reinforcing properties may be due to actions on a common neural
circuit.

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SHEPHERDVILLE
COLLEGE
Department
2nd Semester (Batch
 For other drugs of abuse the precise relationship, if any, to the brain
reward system is unclear.
 Repeated administration of all drugs of abuse is associated with
neuroadaptive responses.
 In general, tolerance develops to at least some of their effects although
the specific details of the biological mechanisms underlying these
changes are not completely understood.
 In terms of promoting substance abuse, an important action is the
development of tolerance to the reinforcing properties of a drug.
D. REFERENCES
Book:
1. Drug use and abuse: A comprehensive introduction. Howard Abadinsky.

2017
2. Drugs: Avery short introduction. Les Iversen. 2016
3. Complete guide to prescription and nonprescription drugs 2018-2019.
Henry Winter Griffith and Stephen Moore. 2017
Website/Journals:
1. www.wikepedia.com
2. www.researchgate.com
3. www.coursehero.com

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SHEPHERDVILLE
COLLEGE
Department
2nd Semester (Batch
4. www.google.com
5. A resillince approach to druG education, 2016
6. Drug Education Module TREDTWO Class, DLSU
7. The Relationship between Psychoactive Drugs, the Brain and Psychosis
Sutapa Basu1*and Deeptanshu Basu2,
8. National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2004
9. Guidelines for the identification and management of substance use and
substance use disorders in pregnancy, WHO
E. EVALUATION (15 pts)
1. People who abuse drugs are weak-willed. They could control their craving
for drugs if they tried.
a. True b. False
2. Marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the U.S.
a. True b. False
3. "Club drugs" got their start at all-night dance parties among teens. These
illicit drugs have moved into mainstream culture.
a. True b. False
4. Over the last few years, the number of people abusing controlled
prescription drugs in the U.S. has grown.
a. True b. False

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SHEPHERDVILLE
COLLEGE
Department
2nd Semester (Batch
5. Anabolic steroids are the same as corticosteroids. Both drugs have the
same dangerous side effects.
a. True b. False
6. A single time of repeated "sniffing" of an inhalant can cause heart failure

and death.
a. True b. False
7. Different drugs cause different symptoms, so it's not always easy to tell
when someone is abusing a substance. One possible sign of substance-
use disorder in teens is when grades slip and school attendance becomes
irregular.
a. True b. False
8. If you suspect that a loved one is abusing drugs, check that the person
isn't in any immediate danger. If the person isn't in immediate danger,
wait to discuss the abuse issue until they aren't high. If they are in
immediate danger, take them to the closest emergency department or call
911.
a. True b. False
9. Most people who are treated for substance-use disorder need to stay in
treatment for at least 3 months.
a. True b. False

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SHEPHERDVILLE
COLLEGE
Department
2nd Semester (Batch
10. Which of the following is not a stimulant drug?
a. Alcohol
b. Cocaine
c. Nicotine
d. Amphetamine

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SHEPHERDVILLE COLLEGE

Talojongon, Tigaon, Camarines Sur

College of Education Department

DRUG EDUCATION, CONSUMER HEALTH AND HEALTHY EATING

STIMULANT AND DEPRESSANT DRUGS

Stimulants and depressants are almost opposites. The only commonality

As a person‘s tolerance increases, their risk of addiction and life-

SHENA J. SERRA, LPT,RND 1

College of Education Department

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. State and value the effects of stimulant drugs.

SHENA J. SERRA, LPT,RND 2

Cocaine is a stimulant drug, which means that it speeds up the messages

Amphetamine, a synthetic compound chemically derived from ephedrine, a

 uses (medicinal or recreational)

SHENA J. SERRA, LPT,RND |

Stimulants, What do they do?

Major Stimulants of the Central Nervous System.

SHENA J. SERRA, LPT,RND |

A. Cocaine hydrochloride: a fine white powder with a bitter,

SHENA J. SERRA, LPT,RND 5

 The effects of low or moderate doses are: a state of euphoria, sleep

Minor stimulants of the Central Nervous System

Description: Nicotine is a stimulant drug that speeds up the messages

SHENA J. SERRA, LPT,RND 6

 It is also smoked in cigars and pipes.

SHENA J. SERRA, LPT,RND 7

Effects on the Body:

Description: is a recreational drug with euphoriant and stimulant

SHENA J. SERRA, LPT,RND 8

Description: Caffeine is a stimulant drug, which means it speeds up the

SHENA J. SERRA, LPT,RND 9

Mixing stimulants and depressants can be dangerous. Stimulants

What Are Stimulants? (3 points)

What Are the Side Effects of Stimulants? (2 points)

Are Stimulants Addictive? (5 points)

SHENA J. SERRA, LPT,RND 10

Depressant substances reduce arousal and stimulation. They do not

They can affect concentration and coordination. They slow down a

How are they used?

Commonly used depressants

Endorphins heroin pxycocdone barbiturates Alcohol

SHENA J. SERRA, LPT,RND 11

 chemicals produced by the body to relieve stress and pain.

Description: A white or brown powder or a black, sticky goo.

 It's an opioid drug made from morphine, a natural substance in the

 Major health problems from heroin include miscarriages, heart

SHENA J. SERRA, LPT,RND 12

Description: Barbiturates are drugs derived from barbituric acid. Depending

To reduce anxiety or to help with sleep problems because of their higher

Oxycodone may be habit-forming. Oxycodone may cause serious or life-

Higher doses can cause impairment of memory, judgment and

Description: Alcohol is a depressant drug, which slows down messages

SHENA J. SERRA, LPT,RND 13

 The two main types of alcohol based on their chemical composition

o methyl alcohol (methanol), which is the simplest of the alcohols

o Ethyl alcohol is obtained through the fermentation of sugars from

Other Terms: Booze, grog, piss, liquor, charge, nip.

SHENA J. SERRA, LPT,RND 14

Using depressants with other drugs

 Alcohol + benzodiazepines: decreased heart rate and breathing; overdose

 Benzodiazepines + opiates (such as heroin): breathing difficulties; an

SAQ #3: 10 points