Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Stimulants01:29

Stimulants

311
Stimulants are substances that enhance neural activity and elevate dopamine levels in the brain, leading to their highly addictive nature. These drugs include cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA, caffeine, and nicotine, each with distinct mechanisms of action and varied health implications.
Cocaine can be administered via snorting, injection, or smoking. It primarily functions by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high characterized by an intense sensation of happiness and...
311
CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids01:24

CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids

324
CNS stimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabinoids, have varying structures and mechanisms of action that lead to different therapeutic effects and side effects. Cocaine, with its molecular formula C17H21NO4, is a tropane alkaloid and a tertiary amino compound. It has two chemical forms: the hydrochloride salt and the "freebase." The former is in powder form, while the latter involves removing the hydrochloride salt to create a form that can be smoked. Cocaine exerts its...
324
Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists01:30

Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists

206
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function.
206
An Overview of Psychoactive Drugs01:28

An Overview of Psychoactive Drugs

294
Psychoactive drugs impact brain function, influencing perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, and behavior. These substances are grouped based on their effects and the mechanisms by which they act.
Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, and nicotine enhance brain activity, leading to increased alertness, attention, and energy. These drugs typically raise heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. While they can induce feelings of euphoria, their misuse can result in severe health...
294
Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants01:23

Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants

1.5K

Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating...
1.5K
CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents01:22

CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents

240
Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelic drugs, are a class of substances known for their ability to alter perception, cognition, and emotions. Despite their profound effects on the mind, these drugs are non-addictive, setting them apart from many other abused substances. The mechanism of action of these drugs lies in their impact on the 5-HT2A receptor in the brain. Upon activation, this receptor couples to Gq-type G proteins, triggering a cascade that releases intracellular calcium. This...
240

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Efficacy of Centanafadine for Executive Functioning and Learning Problems in Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology·2026
Same author

Centanafadine to treat ADHD in children and adolescents: a plain language summary of publication.

Expert review of neurotherapeutics·2026
Same author

Real-world effectiveness of a widely available digital health program in adults reporting a lifetime diagnosis of ADHD.

Npj mental health research·2025
Same author

Pharmacokinetics and Bioequivalence of a Novel Extended-Release Formulation of Methylphenidate Hydrochloride for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Clinical pharmacology in drug development·2025
Same author

Centanafadine for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adolescents: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry·2025
Same author

From Consensus Statement to Pills to Pixels: New Innovations in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Care.

Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology·2024
Same journal

Reimagining the Behavioral Health Crisis Care Continuum for Youth.

Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America·2026
Same journal

Addressing the Behavioral Health Needs of Special Populations Within the Youth Crisis Care Continuum.

Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America·2026
Same journal

Technology-Enabled Crisis Care for Youth: Bridging the Gap.

Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America·2026
Same journal

Crisis Phone Services.

Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America·2026
Same journal

A Crisis Care Continuum for Children and Adolescents: The Boston Medical Center Model.

Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America·2026
Same journal

Mobile Response and Stabilization Services.

Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 8, 2025

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD
10:02

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD

Published on: March 12, 2020

15.9K

Stimulants.

Ann C Childress1

  • 1Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Inc., 7351 Prairie Falcon Road, Suite 160, Las Vegas, NV 89128, USA.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America
|June 13, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Stimulants are effective ADHD treatments. New formulations offer varied delivery and effects, but individual patient responses may differ between methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamine (AMPH) types.

Keywords:
ADHDAmphetamineAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderMethylphenidateStimulants

More Related Videos

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
09:16

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration

Published on: January 22, 2016

15.3K
Single Cell Measurement of Dopamine Release with Simultaneous Voltage-clamp and Amperometry
07:30

Single Cell Measurement of Dopamine Release with Simultaneous Voltage-clamp and Amperometry

Published on: November 21, 2012

13.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 8, 2025

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD
10:02

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD

Published on: March 12, 2020

15.9K
A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
09:16

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration

Published on: January 22, 2016

15.3K
Single Cell Measurement of Dopamine Release with Simultaneous Voltage-clamp and Amperometry
07:30

Single Cell Measurement of Dopamine Release with Simultaneous Voltage-clamp and Amperometry

Published on: November 21, 2012

13.9K

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Stimulants have been primary treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for over 70 years.
  • Recent decades introduced diverse methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamine (AMPH) formulations with varied release profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the characteristics of available stimulant medications for ADHD.
  • To highlight differences in formulations and their potential impact on patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of stimulant medications for ADHD.
  • Analysis of formulation types, including immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER).
  • Comparison of dose forms, onset, duration, and bioavailability.

Main Results:

  • Multiple MPH and AMPH formulations exist, differing in delivery (capsules, tablets, patches) and pharmacokinetics.
  • Side effect profiles are largely consistent across stimulant compounds.
  • Individual patient responses can vary significantly between MPH and AMPH classes or specific formulations.

Conclusions:

  • While stimulant classes share efficacy, formulation choice is critical for optimizing ADHD treatment.
  • Personalized medicine approaches are necessary, considering individual patient response and tolerability to specific MPH or AMPH formulations.