This is an unofficial archive of PsychonautWiki as of 2025-08-11T15:14:44Z. Content on this page may be outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate. Please refer to the original page for the most up-to-date information.
Tried to find a good source for the citation needed but it's near impossible to find pubmed/medline papers that are archived, that aren't abstracts - that are so, basic? I guess is the word. The mechanism of action in the CNS of stimulants has been known for ever it's not really a hypothesis they need to test a million times feel me? So I tried with the research gate - hope that helps, love the site tho!
'''Stimulants''' (also known as '''psychostimulants''' and colloquially as '''"uppers"''') are a class of [[psychoactive substances]] that increase activity of the nervous system to increase alertness, arousal, and motor activity.{{citation needed}} Stimulants represent one of the three major classes of psychoactive substances: the other two are [[depressants]] ("downers") and [[hallucinogens]]. [[Subjective effects]] include [[wakefulness]], [[focus enhancement]], [[appetite suppression]], [[thought acceleration]], [[ego inflation]], and [[euphoria]].
'''Stimulants''' (also known as '''psychostimulants''' and colloquially as '''"uppers"''') are a class of [[psychoactive substances]] that increase activity of the nervous system to increase alertness, arousal, and motor activity.{{citation needed}} <ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304872840_Drugs_stimulating_the_central_nervous_system]</ref>Stimulants represent one of the three major classes of psychoactive substances: the other two are [[depressants]] ("downers") and [[hallucinogens]]. [[Subjective effects]] include [[wakefulness]], [[focus enhancement]], [[appetite suppression]], [[thought acceleration]], [[ego inflation]], and [[euphoria]].
Stimulants exert their effects through a number of pharmacological mechanisms, the most prominent of which are increasing concentrations of the [[neurotransmitters]] [[dopamine]] and [[norepinephrine]] by either promoting release (e.g. amphetamine, methamphetamine) or by blocking reuptake (e.g. cocaine, methylphenidate). Prominent examples of dopaminergic stimulants include [[amphetamine]], [[cocaine]], [[methylphenidate]], and [[methamphetamine]]. Some stimulants also have an additional significant effect on [[serotonin]], such as [[MDMA]], [[MDA]], and [[methylone]]. These substances are sometimes separately categorized and referred to as [[entactogens]].
Stimulants exert their effects through a number of pharmacological mechanisms, the most prominent of which are increasing concentrations of the [[neurotransmitters]] [[dopamine]] and [[norepinephrine]] by either promoting release (e.g. amphetamine, methamphetamine) or by blocking reuptake (e.g. cocaine, methylphenidate). Prominent examples of dopaminergic stimulants include [[amphetamine]], [[cocaine]], [[methylphenidate]], and [[methamphetamine]]. Some stimulants also have an additional significant effect on [[serotonin]], such as [[MDMA]], [[MDA]], and [[methylone]]. These substances are sometimes separately categorized and referred to as [[entactogens]].
Line 24:
Line 24:
Alongside of these a variety of non-essential secondary effects are often present. These generally include but are not limited to:
Alongside of these a variety of non-essential secondary effects are often present. These generally include but are not limited to:
*'''[[Focus enhancement]]'''
*'''[[Focus enhancement]]'''
*'''[[Physical euphoria]]'''
*'''[[Physical euphoria]]'''
Line 34:
Line 35:
*'''[[Ego inflation]]'''
*'''[[Ego inflation]]'''
*'''[[Pupil dilation]]'''
*'''[[Pupil dilation]]'''
*'''[[Time distortion]]''' - This can be described as the experience of time speeding up and passing much quicker than it usually would when sober.
*'''[[Time distortion]]''' - This can be described as the experience of time speeding up and passing much quicker than it usually would when sober.
===After effects===
===After effects===
The effects which occur during the [[offset]] of a [[stimulant]] experience generally feel negative and uncomfortable in comparison to the effects which occurred during its [[peak]]. This is often referred to as a "comedown" and occurs because of [[neurotransmitter]] depletion. Its effects commonly include:
The effects which occur during the [[offset]] of a [[stimulant]] experience generally feel negative and uncomfortable in comparison to the effects which occurred during its [[peak]]. This is often referred to as a "comedown" and occurs because of [[neurotransmitter]] depletion. Its effects commonly include:
The compounds listed below have been included on the basis of possessing varying degrees of stimulant effects. Some of them have a minimal stimulant effect while others may have a strong one. Many of these substances possess other qualities including [[Entactogens|entactogenic]] or [[nootropic]] effects.
The compounds listed below have been included on the basis of possessing varying degrees of stimulant effects. Some of them have a minimal stimulant effect while others may have a strong one. Many of these substances possess other qualities including [[Entactogens|entactogenic]] or [[nootropic]] effects.
Stimulants exert their effects through a number of pharmacological mechanisms, the most prominent of which are increasing concentrations of the neurotransmittersdopamine and norepinephrine by either promoting release (e.g. amphetamine, methamphetamine) or by blocking reuptake (e.g. cocaine, methylphenidate). Prominent examples of dopaminergic stimulants include amphetamine, cocaine, methylphenidate, and methamphetamine. Some stimulants also have an additional significant effect on serotonin, such as MDMA, MDA, and methylone. These substances are sometimes separately categorized and referred to as entactogens.
Since their discovery in the early 20th century, stimulants have been adopted throughout the world as prescription medicines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and obesity and illicitly as recreational substances.
In addition to intended therapeutic use, many stimulants have significant abuse potential. They can also induce tolerance, and possibly physical dependence, although not by the same mechanism(s) as opioids or depressants. The toxicity of stimulants can vary widely based on the individual properties of each chemical. It is strongly advised to use harm reduction practices when using these substances.
Stimulants may be divided into different subgroups based on shared chemical and pharmacological features. Prominent groups include amphetamines, phenidates, and cathinones.
Subjective effects
Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), an open research literature based on anecdotal user reports and the personal analyses of PsychonautWikicontributors. As a result, they should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism.
It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or death ☠. These effects are listed and defined in detail within their own dedicated articles below:
Time distortion - This can be described as the experience of time speeding up and passing much quicker than it usually would when sober.
After effects
The effects which occur during the offset of a stimulant experience generally feel negative and uncomfortable in comparison to the effects which occurred during its peak. This is often referred to as a "comedown" and occurs because of neurotransmitter depletion. Its effects commonly include:
The compounds listed below have been included on the basis of possessing varying degrees of stimulant effects. Some of them have a minimal stimulant effect while others may have a strong one. Many of these substances possess other qualities including entactogenic or nootropic effects.
