A stimulant is any drug that is used to sharpen or improve mental or physical function. The legality of stimulants differs from region to region, depending on the laws and policies of respective governments. While it may be difficult to compile a list of universally legal stimulants, there are a number of common stimulants that are legal in many areas and that may also be regulated in terms of who can use them. This includes caffeine, nicotine, and prescription amphetamines, such as methylphenidates, also known as Ritalin®.
Caffeine is a drug that is commonly consumed in coffee, although it may also be found in energy drinks, which are soft drinks that are used to increase alertness and awareness. Tea and yerba mate also contain some caffeine. This stimulant occurs naturally in many plants and may act as a pesticide. The coffee bean, which is actually the coffee plant's seed, is a common source.
Another of the most common legal stimulants is nicotine. This drug is consumed most often through the use of tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco. Nicotine is an alkaloid, a kind of chemical compound, that occurs naturally in the tobacco plant. Its effects often include a relaxed feeling, alertness, and increased talkativeness. This drug can be incredibly addictive and is considered by many health specialists to be one of the hardest addictions to break.
Amphetamines — such as methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, also known as Dexedrine® — are also legal in many regions. It is common for governments that have legalized these stimulants to place restrictions on their use so that they may only be legally consumed by those holding prescriptions from medical or psychiatric professionals. These prescription amphetamines are normally prescribed to individuals who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), which is often characterized by hyperactivity and difficulty focusing.
While these legal stimulants often lead to hyperactivity in users who do not have ADD, they have the opposite effect in users who do suffer from the disorder. As such, they are sometimes misused by people who don't have ADD. In these instances, the drugs may be snorted so that users can experience immediate intensified effects. Most of these prescription stimulants come in pill or capsule form so that the effects are more measured in those who orally consume the drugs for the purposes of medical or psychiatric treatment.
