Editing Stimulant (section)

===Acute===
Stimulants in therapeutic doses, such as those given to patients with [[attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]] (ADHD), increase ability to focus, vigor, sociability, libido and may elevate mood. However, in higher doses, stimulants may actually decrease the ability to focus, a principle of the [[Yerkes-Dodson Law]].<ref name="pmid32597132">{{cite journal |vauthors=Rozenek EB, Górska M, Wilczyńska K, Waszkiewicz N |title=In search of optimal psychoactivation: stimulants as cognitive performance enhancers |journal=Arh Hig Rada Toksikol |volume=70 |issue=3 |pages=150–159 |date=September 2019 |pmid=32597132 |doi=10.2478/aiht-2019-70-3298 |url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/328740 |access-date=2 February 2024 |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319182915/https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/328740 |url-status=live }}</ref> In higher doses, stimulants may also produce euphoria, vigor, and a decreased need for sleep.

Many, but not all, stimulants have [[ergogenic]] effects; that is, they enhance physical performance. Drugs such as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, amphetamine and methylphenidate have well documented ergogenic effects, while cocaine has the opposite effect.<ref name="pmid16799095">{{cite journal|last1=Avois|first1=L|last2=Robinson|first2=N|last3=Saudan|first3=C|last4=Baume|first4=N|last5=Mangin|first5=P|last6=Saugy|first6=M|title=Central nervous system stimulants and sport practice|journal=British Journal of Sports Medicine|date=7 January 2017|volume=40|issue=Suppl 1|pages=i16–i20|doi=10.1136/bjsm.2006.027557|pmc=2657493|issn=0306-3674|pmid=16799095}}</ref>

Neurocognitive enhancing effects of stimulants, specifically [[modafinil]], amphetamine and methylphenidate have been reported in healthy adolescents by some studies,<ref name="pmid24749160"/> and is a commonly cited reason among illicit drug users for use, particularly among college students in the context of studying.<ref name="pmid24749160">{{cite journal|last1=Bagot|first1=Kara Simone|last2=Kaminer|first2=Yifrah|title=Efficacy of stimulants for cognitive enhancement in non-attention deficit hyperactivity disorder youth: a systematic review|journal=Addiction |date=1 April 2014|volume=109|issue=4|pages=547–557|pmid=24749160|issn=1360-0443|doi=10.1111/add.12460|pmc=4471173}}</ref> Still, results of these studies is inconclusive: assessing the potential overall neurocognitive benefits of stimulants among healthy youth is challenging due to the diversity within the population, the variability in cognitive task characteristics, and the absence of replication of studies.<ref name="pmid24749160"/> Research on the cognitive enhancement effects of modafinil in healthy non-sleep-deprived individuals has yielded mixed results, with some studies suggesting modest improvements in attention and executive functions while others show no significant benefits or even a decline in cognitive functions.<ref name="pmid36056861">{{cite journal | vauthors = Zamanian MY, Karimvandi MN, Nikbakhtzadeh M, Zahedi E, Bokov DO, Kujawska M, Heidari M, Rahmani MR | display-authors = 6 | title = Effects of Modafinil (Provigil) on Memory and Learning in Experimental and Clinical Studies: From Molecular Mechanisms to Behaviour Molecular Mechanisms and Behavioural Effects | journal = Current Molecular Pharmacology | volume = 16 | issue = 4 | pages = 507–516 | date = 2023 | pmid = 36056861 | doi = 10.2174/1874467215666220901122824 | s2cid = 252046371 }}</ref><ref name="pmid32341841">{{cite journal | vauthors = Hashemian SM, Farhadi T | title = A review on modafinil: the characteristics, function, and use in critical care | journal = Journal of Drug Assessment | volume = 9 | issue = 1 | pages = 82–86 | date = 2020 | pmid = 32341841 | pmc = 7170336 | doi = 10.1080/21556660.2020.1745209 }}</ref><ref name="Meulen-2017">{{cite book | vauthors = Meulen R, Hall W, Mohammed A |title=Rethinking Cognitive Enhancement |date=2017 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-872739-2 |page=116 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aAIXDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA116 }}</ref>

In some cases, psychiatric phenomena may emerge such as [[stimulant psychosis]], [[paranoia]], and [[suicidal ideation]]. Acute toxicity has been reportedly associated with hyperhydrosis, panic attacks, severe anxiety, mydriasis, paranoia, aggressive behavior, excessive motor activity, psychosis, rhabdomyolysis,  and [[punding]]. The violent and aggressive behavior associated with acute stimulant toxicity may partially be driven by paranoia.<ref name="pmid15014637">{{cite journal|last1=Morton|first1=W. Alexander|last2=Stockton|first2=Gwendolyn G.|title=Methylphenidate Abuse and Psychiatric Side Effects|journal=Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry|date=8 January 2017|volume=2|issue=5|pages=159–164|pmc=181133|issn=1523-5998|pmid=15014637|doi=10.4088/PCC.v02n0502}}</ref> Most drugs classified as stimulants are [[Sympathomimetic drug|sympathomimetic]], meaning that they stimulate the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. This leads to effects such as [[mydriasis]] (dilation of the pupils), increased heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and body temperature.<ref name=NBK64328/> When these changes become pathological, they are called [[Heart arrhythmia|arrhythmia]], [[hypertension]], and [[hyperthermia]], and may lead to [[rhabdomyolysis]], [[stroke]], [[cardiac arrest]], or [[seizures]]. However, given the complexity of the mechanisms that underlie these potentially fatal outcomes of acute stimulant toxicity, it is impossible to determine what dose may be lethal.<ref name="US-1999">{{cite book|title=Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorders.Chapter 5—Medical Aspects of Stimulant Use Disorders|chapter=Chapter 5—Medical Aspects of Stimulant Use Disorders |publisher=Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorders. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US)|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64323/|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219043032/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64323/|archive-date=19 February 2017|year=1999}}</ref>