Amphetamines

Category: Stimulant

• Amphetamines are a strong physical and mental stimulant that affects the central nervous system. The term ‘amphetamines’ refers to both the specific chemical named ‘amphetamine’ as well as the general class of chemicals which share structural similarities.It is available in both prescription form (ie, Adderall, Dexedrine, Ritalin) and street forms (ie, Speed).
• Amphetamines can be swallowed, snorted, smoked or injected. When swallowed, the effects come on gradually and last longer with less intensity. When snorted, the effects take hold faster and when smoked the effects can be felt immediately.
• Pharmaceutically, amphetamines have been prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, depression, obesity and other conditions. Because they increase wakefulness, amphetamines have been used by some individuals, such as pilots, students, and people in the military, to keep functioning past their normal limits. This increase in energy also makes amphetamines a popular recreational drug. Large amounts of pharmaceutical amphetamines are diverted from medical use to recreational and work-related use.
• For more information about methamphetamine, a potent form of amphetamine, click here.
• For more information about pharmaceutical stimulants, click here.

*Reactions and experiences may vary dramatically from person to person.*

Effects on brain:

Short term:

• The chemical structure of amphetamines closely resemble the body’s own chemical transmitter norepinephrine, which plays an important role in the fight-or-flight response to stress and excitement.

• Frequent use of large amounts of amphetamine can cause brain damage that results in speech and thought disturbances.

Effects on body:

Short term:

• Possible immediate effects include increased energy, increased sex drive, reduced appetite, dilated pupils, loss of coordination with higher doses, restlessness, dry mouth, headache, increased heart rate, increased breathing rate, increased blood pressure, rise in body temperature, fever, sweating, diarrhea or constipation, blurred vision, impaired speech, dizziness, uncontrollable twitching, insomnia, numbness and impotence with higher doses. The likelihood of negative side effects increases with higher doses.

• Possible long term effects of high doses or chronic use include impotence, dry and itchy skin, acne, sores, skin becoming pale (pallor), vitamin deficiencies, lack of sleep, weight loss and depression. Users of large amounts of amphetamine over a long period of time can develop an ‘amphetamine psychosis’, a mental disorder similar to paranoid schizophrenia with symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, paranoia and bizarre, sometimes violent behaviour. These symptoms will usually disappear within a few weeks after use of the drug is stopped.

Effects on behaviour:

Short term:

• Possible immediate effects include increased alertness, motivation and talkativeness, feelings of well-being, feelings of confidence, feelings of superiority, moodiness, restlessness, aggressiveness and paranoia.

• Possible long-term effects include cravings, depression, anxiety and triggering of underlying psychotic or schizophrenic tendencies.

Addiction: Regular or frequent amphetamine use can lead to psychological dependence. The comedown off amphetamines can make you feel tired, lethargic and depressed, which can tempt users to take more, leading to dependency.

Tolerance: Amphetamine can produce tolerance, meaning that larger and more frequent amounts of the drug are needed to achieve the desired effects.

Withdrawal Symptoms: Withdrawal symptoms can occur when use of amphetamines is stopped abruptly. Withdrawal symptoms may include fatigue, insomnia, long, disturbed periods of sleep, irritability, cravings, intense hunger, mental confusion, anxiety and moderate to severe depression (length and severity of the depression is related to how much and how often amphetamine was used).

*Disclaimer! Nothing you do can make using amphetamines completely safe. All drug use has inherent risks and dangers. The suggestions in this section can only help you reduce some of the associated risks. The best way to avoid the harms related to drug use is to not take the drug at all.*

• Recreational use of amphetamines is illegal; therefore if you are caught possessing any form of this drug without a prescription from your doctor, or exchanging, buying or selling it, it can result in criminal charges.
• Drug use affects the developing mind and body differently than developed ones. Waiting until your mind and body have more fully developed before using substances can have long term health and mental benefits.
• Avoid combining amphetamine with other drugs, especially other stimulants such as cocaine or MDMA. Amphetamines combined with other stimulants can substantially increase the risk of dangerous hyperthermia (overheating), rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscles) and other health problems. Amphetamines used with MDMA appear to cause damage to the dopamine neurons in the brain.
• Do not take amphetamines if you are using, or have used and MAOI Inhibitor in the last 2 weeks. Amphetamines, when combines with MAOIs can cause ‘serotonin syndrome’ with symptoms such as fever, hypertension and arrhythmias. Check with a doctor if you’re unsure whether your medication contains MAOIs.
• Overdose is possible with amphetamines and can lead to death. Know the signs of overdose (tremors, hallucinations, panic states, arrhythmias, hypertension, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, convulsions, coma) and call 911 if they appear. Tell the paramedics what drug(s) were used.
• Do not assume that a drug prescribed by a doctor to a friend will be safe for you to take as well. Amphetamines are prescribed only for individuals who need it, and can have adverse and dangerous effects on individuals for whom they are not prescribed.
• Similarly, if you have been prescribed amphetamines, avoid taking more than the prescribed dosage. Always talk to your doctor or a health professional before taking prescribed amphetamines with other substances.
• If you are using amphetamines recreationally over long periods of time, it is advised you take multi-vitamins, and that you keep an eye on your body weight. Amphetamines can dramatically reduce your appetite, but don’t meet any of your body’s nutritional needs.
• Swallowing is the safest way to use amphetamines. The effects come on gradually and last longer than with other methods. If the amphetamine is in powder form, you can swallow it by wrapping it up in a cigarette paper or a piece of tissue paper and swallowing it like a pill.
• Avoid sharing equipment (straws, syringes, spoons) since this could lead to transmission of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV
• When injecting, use new, clean syringes and equipment. Prepare your shot on a clean surface. Clean the area you are planning to inject with soap and water or an alcohol pad. You can get clean injection supplies from a syringe exchange, a pharmacy, or your local health department.
• Cleaning needles and works is not risk-free; it’s a last resort. Rinse with cool water 3 times, bleach for 30 seconds, then clean water 3 times.
• Regular and repeated injection can cause abscesses, collapsed veins, infections and other complications. Regular smoking can cause chest pain and breathing difficulties. Regular and repeated snorting can cause serious damage to the nose such as a chapped, runny nose, sinus infections, nose bleeds and developing a hole in the cartilage wall between nostrils.
• Use of amphetamines can potentially trigger underlying schizophrenic tendencies.
• Amphetamine use can reduce your inhibitions, potentially leading to risky behaviour such as unplanned or unsafe sex.