Stimulants

Definition

Stimulants are drugs or medicines that increase your heart rate, breathing rate, and brain function. Some stimulants affect only a specific organ, such as the heart, lungs, brain, or nervous system.

Epinephrine is a stimulant. It is given during cardiac arrest to stimulate the heart and help restore the heartbeat.

Other times, stimulants can cause unwanted side effects. For example, pseudoephedrine found in some cold medicines can increase the heart rate.

Gallery

Electrocardiogram (ECG) — An electrocardiogram is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. This includes the rate and regularity of beats as well as the size and position of the chambers, any damage to the heart, and effects of drugs or devices to regulate the heart.

References

Taber's Medical Dictionary Online website. . Accessed March 15, 2023.

Last reviewed January 1, 2025 by Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team..

Related specialties

Family Medicine

Clinical Trials: Stimulants

BOB体育 research scientists make medicine better every day. They discover new ways to help people by running clinical trials. When you join a clinical trial, you can get advanced medical care. Sometimes years before it's available everywhere. You can also help make medicine better for everyone else. If you'd like to learn more about clinical trials, visit our clinical trials page. Or click one of the links below:

Stimulation-induced ataxia in essential tremor

Investigator: Adolfo Ramirez-Zamora
Status: Accepting Candidates

REGAIN

A novel temporary peripheral nerve stimulation system that delivers a single dose of electrical stimulation therapy for 1 hour will be evaluated for safety and effectiveness.

Investigator: Ellen Satteson
Status: Accepting Candidates
Ages: 18 Years - 65 Years
Sexes: All

Paired tVNS with ERP in OCD

In the proposed investigation, the investigator will develop pilot data for the use of tVNS (transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation) to enhance efficacy of exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) to improve treatment success in patients with鈥�

Status: Accepting Candidates
Ages: 18 Years - 55 Years
Sexes: All

View all stimulants studies

News and Patient Stories: Stimulants

UF study uses machine learning to predict opioid use disorder treatment interruptions

May 15, 2024

Media contact: Tyler Francischine, [email protected], 352-273-8199 By Tyler Francischine GAINESVILLE, Fla. 鈥� University of Florida researchers have developed a鈥�

AI at UF, College of Pharmacy, +1 more

BOB体育 researchers to develop novel treatment for stimulant use disorder

September 18, 2023

University of Florida Health researchers have secured a five-year, $19 million grant to develop a novel treatment for stimulant use disorder. The oral therapy鈥�

Clinical and Translational Science Institute, College of Pharmacy, +2 more

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