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, 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).
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.
Increased attention span
Reduced fatigue
Increased productivity in a particular activity
Increased motivation
Clarification of consciousness
Improved mood
Increased heart rate and arrhythmia
Increased blood pressure
Vascular spasm
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 receptor sensitivity to activating mediators (noradrenaline, serotonin, adrenaline, dopamine).
Legal stimulants approved for use
Caffeine
Synephrine
Yohimbine
Nicotine
