Stimulants

• These are substances that increase activity in parts of the brain; effects include:

  • Increased alertness
  • Decreased reaction times
  • Reduced tiredness 
  • Increased aggression
• • Some stimulants are legal substances such as caffeine, or chemicals produced in the body, such as adrenaline
• • Illegal stimulants, such as amphetamines, are prohibited in sports
• They can have negative side effects:

  • Highly addictive
  • Raised blood pressure
  • Reduced sleep quality
  • Increased risk of heart attacks and strokes
  • Increased risk of injury due to being more tolerant to pain