Psychoactive Plants

1. Psychoactive Plants Stimulants - III: Other Stimulants

2. Stimulants • Cocaine • Ephedrine • Nicotine • Khat - cathonine • Betel nuts - arecoline • Caffeine

3. Khat • Khat is a natural stimulant from Catha Edulis, a small tree or large shrub which grows in East Africa and Arabian Peninsula • Long history of use of - fresh leaves and shoot tips of this plant have been chewed or brewed as a tea to produce stimulating properties

7. History of Khat • Khat use predates the use of coffee in the region • Khat was been cultivated in East Africa since the early 1300s • During the 20th century some of the countries in region have officially banned its use - but seldom enforced • Recently a lot of publicity about khat use in Somalia where it seems to be epidemic

8. Khat use in Middle East • Khat use has traditionally been confined to the regions where khat is grown, since only the fresh leaves have stimulating properties • Recently improved roads and the use of off-road vehicles in areas of cultivation and the possibility of air transportation has increased the global distribution of khat, which is a non-storable commodity - has to be fresh • Khat is now available in most major cities

9. Alkaloids • Khat contain cathinone and cathine, two phenylisopropylamine alkaloids which resemble amphetamine • Khat consumption induces mild euphoria and excitement, reduces appetite, increases heart rate and blood pressure • Withdrawal symptoms can follow prolonged khat use include lethargy, depression, nightmares and tremor

10. Cathinone • Main psychoactive alkaloid in khat • Produces amphetamine-like action - effects not distinguishable from amphetamine - a naturally occurring amphetamine- carbonyl group replaces methylene side chain • Drug conditioned animals cannot distinguish cathinone from amphetamines • Functions by releasing catecholamines (dopamine) from presynaptic storage sites in CNS

11. Cathinone and Cathine • Cathinone only present in fresh leaves • Degrades within about 48 hours • After this time only cathine left • Cathine also a stimulant but has a lower potential for abuse

12. Betel Nuts • Betel nuts from the betel palm Arecacatechu • As a stimulant it is used by more people in the world than any other single plant - widely used in India, Thailand, Indonesia and other Asian countries

15. Traditional Use • Long history of use in Asia - recorded in 4th century in China • Traditionally chewed • Crushed betel nuts (from the betel palm) wrapped in pieces of betel leaf from the betel vine, Piper betel (in the pepper family - Piperaceae) along with lime and sometimes other flavorings • Lime (CaCO3) needed to release alkaloid

16. Arecoline • Many active ingredient in betel nuts is the alkaloid arecoline - although betel nuts have several other alkaloids • Arecoline has also been shown to improve learning and memory • Also traditional use for intestinal worms • Used as an antihelminthic in veternary medicine today

17. Mode of Action • Not completely understood because of complex interactions with other plants • Betel chewing increases plasma concentrations of norepinephrine and epinephrine • Suggest that betel chewing mainly affects the central and autonomic nervous systems

18. Other actions • Evidence suggests also an inhibitor of GABA (gamma aminobutryc acid) uptake. • Also Piper betel leaf contains aromatic phenolic compounds which have been found to stimulate the release of catecholamines in vitro

19. Arecoline • Lime needed to release arecoline • However some chew it only for flavor not stimulating effect • Also mixed with tobacco • Strongly interacts with tobacco

20. Stains mouth • Regular betel chewing stains teeth, mouth, and gums a deep red - although not permanent • Bloody Mary in South Pacific????

21. Possible Carcinogen • Betel chewing associated with throat, mouth, and esophagal cancers • 88 percent of oral cancer patients in the Taiwan area habitually chew betel nut • Risk of oral cancer is 28X higher for betel nut chewers and the risk is 89X higher for people who both chew betel nuts and smoke

22. Spread of Chewing • Increase in use of betel chewing in many part of Asia • Initially used by laborers • Spreading to cities as a recreational drug

23. Coffee and Caffeine • Made from seeds of Coffea arabica • Seeds occur in coffee berries (cherries) • Fruit pulp is fermented to free seeds • Roasting and grinding bring out essential oils • Caffeine and essential oils contribute to properties and flavor

24. Flowers and berries ofCoffea arabica

25. Coffea arabica cherries ready for picking

26. Coffee cherries are picked by hand by worker in Columbia

27. Coffea arabica native to Ethiopia

28. History of coffee drinking • Long history of use in Arab world • Introduced to Europe in 1615 • By 1700 coffee houses popular throughout Europe • Especially popular in England - often called “penny universities” and “seminaries of sedition”

29. Coffea arabica Plantations • Dutch established plantations in East Indies late in 17th century • Trees taken to Botanical Gardens in Amsterdam and Paris • From here plantations started on Caribbean islands and S.A. early in 18th century • Today Brazil and Columbia are world’s leading producers

30. Caffeine • Caffeine occurs naturally in the leaves, seeds or fruit of more than 60 plant species, of which coffee, cocoa-beans, tea, cola and guarana are the best known • Like other stimulates, caffeine acts on CNS - noradrenergic receptors (norepinephrine) • Promotes alertness and endurance • Constricts blood vessels • Increase heart beat

32. Drip coffee.....115 mg Tea..................40 mg Cocoa..............13 mg Coca Cola........46 mg Diet Coke.........46 mg Dr. Pepper........40 mg Mr. Pibb............41 mg Mt. Dew............54 mg Pepsi...............38 mg Surge...............51 mg Jolt Cola...........71 mg Excedrin...........65 mg Anacin..............32 mg NoDoz............100 mg Vivarin............200 mg Midol...............600 mg Caffeine Content of Common Products