Stimulants FAQ
A. What is stimulant?
Stimulants or amphetamines can be defined as an agent temporarily increasing functional activity by their actions on the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for actions on the heart, lungs, and blood vessels to promote the "fight or flight" mechanism. Major stimulants used in athletes are caffeine, widely available in coffee, tea, or soda, and Ma Haung Extract a nutritional supplement similar to ephedra which has been banned in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration.
B. How do stimulants work?
The exact mechanism for amphetamines are unclear but has been hypothesized that they have an ergogenic effect by increasing oxidation of fats, enhancing thermogenesis, and perhaps a sparing of skeletal muscle glycogen as a result of the greater free-fatty acid utilization.
The preponderance of evidence would support the reasoning that amphetamines and other stimulants like caffeine can improve performance by delaying time to fatigue and masking pain.
C. How are stimulants commonly used?
Amphetamines or other stimulants can be ingested in a variety of different ways including, inhaled, injected or orally in the form of pills or included in a liquid such as coffee.
The amount of caffeine needed to produce an ergogenic effect ranges between 250 to 700 mg which is the equivalent of three cups of coffee or six to eight sodas. Many athletes take caffeine in pill form to more easily reach these levels.
D. What are the side effects of stimulants?
Too much caffeine can produce alterations on mood, concentration, and alertness. Additional effects include an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, increased urination, and tremors. More adverse reactions include heart beating abnormalities, hypertension, and hallucinations.
Of particular concern to the medical community are individuals who are taking other medications, experiencing allergic reactions and women who are pregnant or breast feeding.
E. Where to get more information (websites, books, organizations, etc.).
Ergogenic Aids: A Review of Basic Science, Performance, Side Effects, and Status in Sports. American Journal of Sports Medicine 32, no. 6 (2004): 1543-1553
http://www.wada-ama.org/en/index.ch2