Stimulants (often also called psychostimulants) are psychoactive substances and drugs that stimulate the function of the central nervous system: improve memory, accelerate thinking, eliminate sleepiness, and increase cognitive abilities. In addition, stimulants increase motor function, accelerate metabolism and promote fat burning, so they are often used in bodybuilding.
Stimulants include many drugs that have been used to treat depression and depressed mental states, used against sleepiness and many other conditions. Stimulants are many potent substances. At the same time, stimulants are present in ordinary foods (e.g. caffeine in tea and coffee).
Effects of Non-Banned Stimulants
Stimulants have a wide range of different physiological effects, increasing central nervous system activity and peripheral nerve conduction. The specific effects of stimulants can vary depending on the specific type of substance as well as the route of administration.
CNS effects common to all stimulants include:
- Increased attention span.
- Reduced fatigue
- Increased productivity in a particular activity
- Increased motivation
- Clarification of consciousness
- Improvement in mood
Undesirable effects of stimulants:
- Increased heart rate and arrhythmia
- Increase in blood pressure
- Vasospasm
- Pale skin
- Sweating
- Paranoia and agitation.
- Psychological dependence in case of systematic use
Useful effects of stimulants in bodybuilding:
- Increased strength performance
- Increased motor performance
- Increased endurance
- Appetite suppression
- Mental Concentration
Mechanism of Action
Stimulants realize their action through various mechanisms:
- Increasing the concentration of adrenaline in the blood.
- Increased concentration of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine in the synapses of the brain and peripheral nerves.
- Increased sensitivity of receptors to activating mediators (noradrenaline, serotonin, adrenaline, dopamine).
Psychostimulants for weight loss
Legal stimulants approved for use:
- Caffeine
- Synephrine
- Yohimbine
- Nicotine
