What are Stimulants?<br />
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Stimulants are either natural or synthetic (man-made) drugs which have an arousing effect on the central nervous system. That means they speed up the mind and the body. Some examples of stimulants are:<br />
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Caffeine: Found in coffee, tea, cola as well as some other sodas, energy drinks, chocolate, diet pills, and stay-awake pills<br />
Nicotine: Found in cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuff<br />
Amphetamines: Found in prescription diet pills, stay-awake pills, & "pep" pills<br />
Cocaine: Made from the leaves of the coca plant<br />
Ritalin and Adderall: Found in synthetic pill form<br />
Ephedrine: Found in plants, and in some cold and allergy pills. Also, sometimes in illegal pills called Ecstasy (XTC)<br />
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Why do people use stimulants?<br />
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1. To stay awake or counteract the effect of "downer" drugs (Too bad that doesn't really work!)<br />
2. For kicks, thrills, or to fight boredom (BIG risk!)<br />
3. To feel better or more confident about themselves (Too bad it's not real!)<br />
and other reasons you've heard about like curiosity, peer pressure, to forget problems, and because they are addicted.<br />