Drugs That Keep You Awake All Night

Wake-Promoting Drugs: Mechanisms and Effects

Amphetamines and Modafinil: Popular Choices

Amphetamines, including d-amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts, are widely used wake-promoting drugs. They work by increasing extracellular levels of norepinephrine (NE), which enhances transmission along the wake-promoting pathway . Modafinil, another popular wake-promoting drug, also increases NE levels and is commonly used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness and narcolepsy . Both drugs are effective in promoting wakefulness but come with potential side effects, including addiction and psychosis, especially with amphetamines.

Illicit Drugs: Cocaine and Methamphetamine

Illicit drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine are also known for their wake-promoting properties. Cocaine increases wakefulness and suppresses REM sleep, but its use is often associated with sleep disturbances and unpleasant dreams during withdrawal . Methamphetamine, similar to amphetamines, increases NE levels and is used illicitly to stay awake, although it carries significant risks, including addiction and severe health consequences.

Novel Compounds: YKP10A

YKP10A is a novel wake-promoting compound that has shown promise in preclinical studies. It induces wakefulness by affecting specific neuronal pathways and gene-expression signatures, which vary among different genetic backgrounds. Unlike traditional stimulants, YKP10A's effects on brain activity, such as increased beta-2 and gamma oscillations, suggest a unique mechanism of action.

Impact of Wake-Promoting Drugs on Sleep and Health

Sleep Quality and Cognitive Performance

Despite their effectiveness in promoting wakefulness, these drugs often lead to poor sleep quality and cognitive performance issues. For instance, the use of amphetamines and modafinil is associated with poor sleep quality and increased fatigue-related errors. Cocaine and methamphetamine users also experience significant sleep disturbances, which can worsen cognitive performance and overall health .

Long-Term Health Risks

Long-term use of wake-promoting drugs can lead to severe health issues. Chronic use of amphetamines and cocaine can result in addiction, psychosis, and other mental health problems. Additionally, the use of these drugs is linked to increased stress, burnout, and higher odds of fatigue-related errors and near-crashes, particularly among shift workers like police officers.

Conclusion

Wake-promoting drugs, including amphetamines, modafinil, and illicit substances like cocaine and methamphetamine, are effective in keeping individuals awake. However, their use comes with significant risks, including poor sleep quality, cognitive impairments, and long-term health issues. Novel compounds like YKP10A offer potential alternatives with unique mechanisms of action, but further research is needed to fully understand their effects. Users of these drugs should be aware of the potential consequences and consider the impact on their overall health and well-being.

Drugs that keep you awake all night

Summary

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