What can be a consequence of psychostimulant abuse?

Psychostimulant abuse is often associated with the feeling of euphoria, which is a significant consequence of using these substances. Psychostimulants, such as cocaine and amphetamines, increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly dopamine, which plays a key role in the brain's reward pathway. This surge of dopamine results in intense feelings of pleasure and heightened energy, contributing to the euphoric experience reported by users.

While some other consequences of psychostimulant abuse can be severe and include negative health impacts, such as increased heart rate, insomnia, and a higher risk of overdose, the feeling of euphoria is a defining characteristic of the initial use of these drugs. The experience of euphoria can also lead to further substance abuse as users seek to recapture those pleasurable feelings, creating a cycle of addiction.

In contrast, lowered heart rate, improved sleep quality, and decreased risk of overdose do not typically align with what is experienced during or after the abuse of psychostimulants, as these substances usually stimulate the central nervous system rather than suppress it, resulting in heightened physiological responses rather than calming effects.