These drugs are called “uppers” because they impact the central nervous system of the body, causing things like your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and even blood glucose levels to increase. Stimulants can come in pill form, but can be consumed in food, drink or crushed and snorted.

Examples of stimulants include some ADHD medications (like Adderall or Ritalin), cocaine, methamphetamine, or ecstacy.

However…
Stimulants can also come in the form of coffee, tea, soda and energy drinks. Energy drinks (not to be confused with sports drinks meant to replenish water loss, like Gatorade) claim to be “all-natural” but they often include tons of sugar, as well as high amounts of caffeine; which can cause side-effects like dehydration, insomnia, anxiety and nausea. These effects can be even more dangerous when energy drinks are used in combination with alcohol.

Did you know that synthetic marijuana, like K2 or spice, is a stimulant and is seriously dangerous? It can be addictive and lead to withdrawal symptoms which include cravings, nightmares, heavy sweating, nausea, tremors, headaches, extreme tiredness, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, problems thinking clearly. After repeated long-term use it can lead to forgetfulness, confusion or even paralysis.

These drugs are dangerous and side-effects include:

• anxiety
• paranoia
• psychosis
• weight loss
• depression
• stroke
• seizures
• heart failure