What are stimulants?
Stimulants (sometimes called psychostimulants) are a class of drugs that increase central nervous system activity. Health care providers may prescribe stimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, narcolepsy, asthma, obesity, or nasal and sinus congestion.
Some legally produced stimulants are controlled substances in the U.S., meaning that they are regulated by the government and have varying potential to be misused. Other legal stimulants with low or no potential for abuse, such as caffeine and some prescription stimulants, are not controlled substances in the U.S.
Examples of stimulants include:
- Amphetamines: Adderall® and Dexedrine®
- Caffeine
- Cocaine
- Diet aids: Didrex®, Bontril®, Preludin®, Fastin®, Adipex P®, Ionomin® and Meridia®
- Khat
- Methamphetamine
- Methcathinone
- Methylphenidate: Ritalin® and Concerta®
- Nicotine
- Synthetic cathinones
Illegally produced stimulants, which are not regulated by the government, are increasingly being contaminated with a synthetic opioid known as fentanyl. This is dangerous. Many people may be unaware that the illegal stimulants they consume are contaminated. See Fentanyl fact sheet, EM 9678.
Facts and statistics
National
- In 2023, there were 59,725 overdose deaths involving stimulants. The majority of these deaths involved illicitly manufactured fentanyl.
- In 2020, the rate of stimulant-related overdose deaths was 31% higher in rural counties compared to urban counties.
Oregon
- In 2023, Oregon had the third-highest rate of overdose deaths involving methamphetamine use in the United States.
- In 2023, a rate of 26.3 per 100,000 overdose deaths in Oregon involved methamphetamine.
Common names
-
Bennies, black beauties, blue pill, cat, coke, crank, crystal, dexies, flake, ice, lid poppers, pellets, pep pills, R- ball, red dexies, red pep, rids, Ritties, R pop, skippy, smarties, snow, speed, study buddies, uppers, truck drivers, vitamin R, wake-ups
Forms
- Tablets, pills, capsules
- Powder, chunks, or crystals ranging in color from white to brownish
- Liquid that may be consumed orally, via injection or as a suppository
How stimulants work
Stimulants work by increasing the brain activity of hormones such as dopamine and norepinephrine. An increase in dopamine can create a feeling of pleasure or euphoria, which can reinforce drug use.
An increase in norepinephrine can cause blood vessels to constrict and lead to an increase in blood pressure, heart rate and blood glucose.
Short-term health effects
- Feeling of euphoria or excitement
- Sense of alertness
- Increase in motor activity
- Reduction in appetite
- Insomnia
- Increase in blood pressure and heart rate
- Increase in breathing
- Decrease in blood flow
- Increase in blood sugar
- Overdose
Long-term health effects:
- Overdose
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- Depression
- Suicidal ideation
- Tolerance, dependence and stimulant use disorder:
- Tolerance: Reduced response to a substance with repeated use, meaning that larger amounts of a substance are needed to create the same effect.
- Dependence: Adaptation to a substance that produces symptoms of withdrawal when the substance use is halted.
- Stimulant use disorder: A type of substance use disorder characterized by a pattern of stimulant use that results in significant impairment.
Withdrawal
Symptoms include fatigue, depression, suicidal ideation, irritability, hallucinations, mood swings, brain fog, sleep disturbances, decreased libido and sexual dysfunction. Given the symptoms of withdrawal, a person may need medical supervision to ensure their safety during the process.
Overdose and overamping
An overdose is a serious, life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical response. Overamping is a term used to describe the equivalent of a stimulant overdose. In the event of a suspected stimulant overdose or overamping:
- Call 911.
- Administer naloxone. Given the increasing amount of fentanyl in the stimulant supply, administering naloxone can be an important step. Naloxone will not harm a person, even if they did not consume fentanyl or another opioid.
- Administer CPR if breathing has stopped.
Overdose/overamping symptoms:
- Physical: abnormal blood pressure (high or low), fever, heart attack, irregular heartbeat, muscle pains, nausea, overactive reflexes, rapid breathing, restlessness, seizures, tremors and weakness.
- Psychological: altered perception of reality, confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, protective behaviors (hypervigilance, fear of persecution, etc.), psychosis.
Treating stimulant-use disorder
Therapeutic interventions:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Contingency management
- Community reinforcement approach
- Motivational interviewing
- Currently, no medications are specifically designed for the treatment of stimulant use disorder, although some are in development.
References
- Farzam, K., R.M. Faizy, A. Saadabadi. Stimulants. StatPearls Publishing. 2025. Accessed October 23, 2025.
- Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration. Drug Fact Sheet. Stimulants. 2024. Accessed October 23, 2025.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Misuse of prescription drugs research report. 2011. Accessed October 23, 2025.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Treatment improvement protocol TIP 33. Treatment for stimulant use disorders. Accessed October 23, 2025.
- Alcohol and Drug Foundation. What are stimulants? 2025. Accessed October 23, 2025.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Drug overdose deaths: facts and figures. 2024. Accessed Oct. 23, 2025.
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics. Urban-rural differences in drug overdose rates, 2020. Accessed October 23, 2025.
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. SUDORS Dashboard: Fatal Drug Overdose Data. 2025.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lifesaving Naloxone. Accessed October 23, 2025.
- Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Withdrawal. Accessed October 23, 2025.
