Question

Review the “stimulant-depressant continuum”.   Then answer the following questions:

a.   What is the main difference in the biochemical action of drugs at the stimulant end of the continuum as opposed to the depressant end of the continuum?

b.  Which neurotransmitter is involved either directly or indirectly in the action of all these drugs?

c. Why are some drugs placed in the "neutral" area of the continuum? Consider the biochemical effect of the "neutral area" drugs when you formulate your response.

d.  Death is the result of overdose on drugs at either end of the spectrum. In the case of stimulant overdose, what would be the physiological response that would result in a fatal outcome? What would be the physiological response to that would result in a fatal outcome from an overdose of depressants?

Answer 1

a. the stimulant end of drugs activate the system and are referred to as uppers whereas the depressant end of drugs depress the system and therefore referred as downers.

b. stimulants act upon the norepinephrine and dopamine which causes increase in the activity of vital organs such as brain, heart, lungs. gamma amino butryic acid is the neurochemical that is acted upon by the depressants which cause a calming effect on the brain.

c. these are drugs that maintain a effective therapeutic window which neither activate nor depress the system and maintain a stable level of concentration and effect.

d.

stimulant overdose:

• headache
• chest pain
• restlessness
• increase in temperature, pulse
• altered sensorium
• anxiety
• sweating

depressant overdose:

• hypoxia
• hypoglycemia
• bradypnea
• bradycardia
• respiratory depression
• coma
• death