Section outline


  • Introduction
    Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants are medicines that speed up physical and mental processes. Stimulants (also referred to as psychostimulants) are psychoactive drugs that induce temporary improvements in either mental or physical functions or both. Examples of these kinds of effects may include enhanced alertness, wakefulness, and locomotion, among others. Due to their rendering a characteristic "up" feeling, stimulants are also occasionally referred to as "uppers" whereas depressants or "downers” that decrease mental and/or physical function.

    Learning Outcomes:

    • Interpret the mechanism of CNS stimulation
    • Identify the key regulatory factors of nervous system stimulation
    • Discuss the relationship between drug dose & clinical response of various CNS stimulant drugs

    Course Contents:

    • Strychnine

    • Xanthine 

    • Methylxanthine

    • Amphetamine

    • Nicotine