Amphetamines

From RationalWiki
Jump to: navigation, search
Our secret stash of

Drugs

Icon drugs.svg
Highs and lows

Amphetamines are a class of stimulant drugs that provide increased alertness and focus and decreased fatigue and appetite, in exchange for psychological addiction and (in some cases) remarkably bad teeth. Amphetamines are used to treat behavioral disorders such as ADD, ADHD, and depression,[1][2] but are also used recreationally as euphoriants, to lose weight, and increase performance in both academics and physical activities.[3]

Contents

[edit] Amphetamine v. amphetamines

The term amphetamines should not be confused with the term amphetamine; the latter referring to the chemical alpha-methyl-phenethylamine or phenylisopropylamine (C9H13N) which is known as speed, and the former referring to an entire class of drugs that contain the amphetamine backbone (commonly known as substituted amphetamines).[4] Therefore, amphetamines can refer to anything ranging from ephedrine, bupropion (Wellbutrin), amphetamine itself, all the way to Bromo-DragonFLY (a very potent psychedelic.)[5][6][7]

[edit] Effects of amphetamine

Persons under the influence of amphetamine may show notable interest and intent concentration towards a specific task they are undertaking. Other common behaviors associated with amphetamine use may include (but are not limited to): increased sociability and talkativeness, increased alertness, changes in sex drive, euphoria, dysphoria, compulsive behavior, obessive thoughts, increased confidence, persistent thirst, irritability, emotional lability, paranoia, tachycardia, hypertension, dry skin, insomnia and in severe cases psychosis.[10]

[edit] Types of amphetamines

[edit] Medical

It's what the cool kids do
  • Mixed Ampheramine salts (Adderall - a mixture of dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine)
  • Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
  • Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse - a prodrug of dextroamphetamine)
  • Methamphetamine (Desoxyn)
  • Ephedrine (BronkAid)
  • Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)

[edit] Footnotes

  1. "Adderall". The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. http://www.drugs.com/monograph/adderall.html. Retrieved 3 April 2011. 
  2. "Drugs Used to Treat ADHD/ADD". WebMD, LLC. http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-medical-treatment. Retrieved 16 September 2012. 
  3. Gritz ER, Crane LA.. "Use of diet pills and amphetamines to lose weight among smoking and nonsmoking high school seniors". PubMed - NCBI. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1935868. Retrieved 16 September 2012. 
  4. Editorial. Abuse of the term "amphetamines". - Alexander Shulgin; Clinical Toxicology 1976
  5. Goldfrank, pp. 1125–1127
  6. Glennon, pp. 184–187
  7. Schatzberg, p.843
  8. It has a methylenedioxy on the 3,4 positions of the ring and a methyl on the N
  9. It has two dihydrofuran groups substituted on the benzene ring along with a bromo at the 4 position.
  10. Erowid Amphetamine Vault: Effects
Personal tools
Namespaces

Variants
Actions
Navigation
Community
Tools
support