Sleep-loss, pharmacological

Clinical Issues, Pharmacology, and Sleep Loss Effects... 

This series of monographs, Lung Biology in Health and Disease, includes a number of volumes on sleep, the first one having been published in 1984. Seven of these volumes have been exclusively about one or another aspect of sleep, and others, on different subjects, included components related to sleep. However, lack of sleep did not achieve stardom in this series until Dr. Clete Kushida from the world-famous Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic and Research Center accepted the invitation to edit this volume on Sleep Deprivation Clinical Issues, Pharmacology, and Sleep Loss Effects. 

Sleep Deprivation Clinical Issues, Pharmacology, and Sleep Loss Effects, edited by Ciete A. Kushida... 

Khat is purchased as bundles of dried and fresh leaves and buds. For transport purposes, it is usually wrapped in plastic bags or banana skins to preserve its moisture content - loss of activity is observed after 48 h if the plant material dries out. However, the drug can also be obtained as dried crushed leaves or in powdered form. These materials are either chewed or used to prepare an infusion which is drunk like tea. The major part of the pharmacological action is due to cathinone, which acts as a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, promoting excitation, reducing the need to sleep and enhancing communication. 

Morphine is perhaps the most extensively used analgesic for the management of acute pain associated with injury, neuropathic conditions and cancer. Morphine acts on the central nervous system by activating membrane opioid receptors. The pharmacological effects of morphine vary enormously with dosage. Small doses induce euphoria and sedation, whereas high doses cause pupil dilation, irregular respiration, pale skin, a deep sleep and eventual death within 6-8 h due to respiratory paralysis (Hesse 2002). Even at moderate doses, morphine causes constipation, loss of appetite, hypothermia, a slow... 

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