Stimulants

Websites

Drug Fact Sheets from United States Drug Enforcement Agency

Drugs A to Z - PubMed Health
U.S. Library of Medicine

Prescription Drug Abuse - Medline Plus

Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications from (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
Includes chart and abuse and addiction information.

Caffeine: How Much Is Too Much? 

How do you know when you need to break the habit and curb your consumption of caffeine? Nine out of ten Americans consume caffeine regularly, and many rely on it to dispel drowsiness and create a more cheerful disposition. This popular behavior-altering drug is not dangerous for most people in moderate quantities, but certain circumstances warrant a change in caffeine intake. Analyze whether you consume too much caffeine, have caffeine sensitivity, are using caffeine to mask sleep deprivation, or are taking any medicines that should not be combined with caffeine. Find out how to change caffeine habits.
Topic: Caffeine habit   Language: English    Lexile: 1120       http://www.mayoclinic.com

Coffee Drinking Statistics 
More than half of Americans over the age of 18 drink coffee every day. This brewed beverage is made with the roasted seeds of the coffee cherry. Coffee is a top global commodity usually grown in equatorial areas. The caffeine content of coffee provides a slight stimulant effect. One-third of coffee drinkers drink their coffee black, and two-thirds consume coffee within an hour of waking up. Discover the average size of a cup of coffee and how many cups the average coffee-drinking American drinks per day. Americans spend $18 billion a year on specialty coffee.
Topic: Coffee   Language: English    Lexile: BR       http://www.statisticbrain.com

More Students Turning Illegally to 'Smart' Drugs 
On college campuses across the United States students are increasingly turning to a new and dangerous trend to help them with their study habits â the use of smartdrugs. Smart drugs are drugs such as Adderall and Ritalin and students claim they help them stay alert while putting in long nights of study. But scientists are concerned with the side effects from the use of these drugs. This article takes a look at this issue and explains the reasons students find these drugs desirable and the dangers associated with their use.
Topic: Students--Drug use   Language: English    Lexile: 1040  Audio       http://www.npr.org

NIDA InfoFacts: Stimulant ADHD Medications: Methylphenidate and Amphetamines
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provides information about stimulant medications used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These include methylphenidate and amphetamines. You will learn how prescription stimulants affect the brain and why they are useful in the treatment of ADHD. Find out how the NIDA responds to the question of whether the use of stimulant medications to treat ADHD could increase the risk of substance abuse in adulthood. Read about why and how prescription stimulants can be abused and what adverse effects they can have on health if they are taken without medical supervision.
Topic: Amphetamines, Medication abuse, Methylphenidate   Language: English    Lexile: 1370    http://www.nida.nih.gov

NIDA Study Shows That Methylphenidate (Ritalin) Causes Neuronal Changes in Brain Reward Areas 
Methylphenidate is commonly prescribed to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It belongs to the class of drugs known as psychostimulants, which also includes cocaine. New research funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that methylphenidate can cause physical changes in neurons in reward regions of mouse brains, similar to the effects of cocaine. Researchers point out that their concern is more about non-medical use of methylphenidate and long-term effects on the brain. Find out how the study was done, what the results show, and what additional research is needed.  Topic: Methylphenidate   Language: English    Lexile: 1440       http://archives.drugabuse.gov