Stimulants and Athletic Performance (Part 2): Cocaine and Nicotine.

In brief: Cocaine and nicotine are among the stimulants that some athletes use in their quest for better performance or simple escape (amphetamines and caffeine were discussed in part 1 of this series [November, page 128]). Cocaine can cause paranoia and insomnia, and an overdose can lead to arrhythmias, coma, seizures, hyperthermia, and death. Nicotine affects several body systems and processes, and the impact of smoking on performance is negative in most cases. So far, little is known about how chewing tobacco influences performance.