Central Nervous System Stimulants

Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants are characterized by their ability to activate systems in the brain including those that regulate mood, motor function, wakefulness, thought processing, and pleasure perception. The most apparent effects of using [Page 166]these drugs include elevated mood, increased movement and fidgeting, suppressed sense of boredom and fatigue and inability to sleep, rapid and sometimes disjointed formation of thoughts and speech, illogical and even dangerous behavior, elevated sense of euphoria and self-confidence, and the ability to persist at a task for longer periods of time. Because some of these effects are perceived as enjoyable and gratifying, it is common to see individuals repeatedly using these substances to enhance performance and to feel better. As a result of these positive effects, for some ...