I learned quite a bit about amphetamines in my forensics class, but the topic interested me so much I decided I wanted to look a bit further into it. I wanted to know things like why people feel a need to take them knowing they have severe side effects, some of which might even be long term. I was interested in finding how these people get a hold of them, how they’re made, what they’re used for, the side effects they bring upon use, what treatments are used for these symptoms, and what these people experience when taking them etc. In my research, I will be answering all these questions I have on amphetamines, and maybe even learning some extra information while doing so. Amphetamines are drugs that were first discovered in the 1800s and …show more content…
are now available in capsules and tablets, which can be taken, or inhaled, orally (drugscope). The drug can also be injected or inhaled/snorted through powders, chunks and off-white crystals that are available. The Chemical formula for an amphetamine is C9H13N. The street names for an amphetamine consist of the names road dope, mollies, speed, uppers, whiz, cartwheels, dexies, thrusters, truck drivers and many more. Amphetamines can be sold in the brands of Evekeo, Adderall, or other brands. Some chemical derivatives for amphetamines are cathinone, phentermine, ortetamine, cathine, mathamphetamines, along with many other derivatives. Methamphetamine is the most commone derivative. It may have been discovered as early as 1893, but it was first crystallized by some Japanese researchers in 1919. It is a more powerful and easier-to-consume drug than its relative (Rosen 7-8). Amphetamines can be purchased for the street value of five dollars per bag. A bag will usually consist of about 10-15 pills. It can be classified as both a Schedule 2 drug and as a stimulant (a substance that raises levels of physcological or nervous activity in the body). The use of amphetamines may result in several side effects. The effects may range from minor to critical depending on your dosage. It is a synthetic, addictive, mood-altering drug, used illegally as a stimulant and legally as a prescription drug to treat children with ADD and adults with narcolepsy. There are both legal amphetamines (prescribed by a doctor) and illegal amphetamines. Some of the popular illegal amphetamines conist of ecstasy, and molly. Legal amphetamines aid in several disorders such as inability to sleep, epilepsy, migraine, depression, hyperactivity, obesity, Parkinson’s disease, narcolepsy, ADHD, etc. Stimulants do not cure ADHD, rather help to alleviate or reduce symptoms (nimh). As for obesity, the amphetamines work by reducing appetite. Adderall (a type of amphetamines) is used for depression because of the fact that it boosts the user’s confidence, energy level, mood, and it causes the user to feel more social or outgoing. When it comes to narcolepsy, the drugs work by improving alertness which is most effective for reducing sleepiness. They are also believed to cause the release of catecholamine’s from central neurons which aid in users with Parkinson’s disease (PubMed). I highly disagree with doctors easily handing out these stimulants to their patients simply because of the fact that these drugs can be resold and used in a negative way by people who are in no need of medical assistance. For instance, there has been many times that I have visited the hospital and been returned home with a full bottle of pills when I typically end up using only about half of the pills. Of course, I do not take more than I should nor do I sell these drugs simply for pleasure purposes, but I am simply proving how these pills can so easily be handed out to the wrong people who will use them for other reasons, which could lead to abuse. During the Second World War, amphetamine and methamphetamine were adopted in the military services on all sides, in quasi-medical efforts to tune mind and body beyond normal human capabilities.
Similarly, athletes welcomed the drugs as performance- enhancing panaceas in postwar years. Around 1950, family doctors embraced amphetamines as psychiatric medications for their distressed patients, cemeting the notion that depression was both commonplace and easily treatable. Moreover, amphetamines were hailed as breakthrough in weight loss and enjoyed enormous success as diet pills, helping to transform obesity into the mencing through preventible and treatable epidemic that medicine views it as today (Rasmussen 3). Today, the use of amphetamines for medical assistance is very common, and as I mentioned before, it aids in many disorders, however, some people don’t neccesarily need the drug for medical purposes. People may simply take it instead as a method of getting high, this would now be considered illegal amphetamines which are not prescribed for medical treatment rather sold in labs for pleasure. People who purchase illegal amphetamines feel the need to use them in order to feel relaxed or to forget about their problems for a while and just be happy. Users experience the “thrill” of a rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, blood vessel constriction and sweating. The illegal amphetamines, molly, for example makes the user feel as if they can be open, accepting, unafraid and connected to the people around them. The drug effects are stimulated by visuals, sounds, smells, and touch which bring pleasure to the consumer, and is the reason so many people are attracted to the drug (drugpolicy.org). Feelings of relaxation and clarity are reported. People using molly experience heightened sensations and want to intensify these feelings by dancing, talking and touching. Whether they are used legally or illegally they have some negative side effects, both long term or short
term. The effects upon use may include an increase in your confidence or motivation, a sense of power or superiority over others, increased talkativeness, repetition of simple acts, nervousness, anxiety, agitation, panic, paranoia, hallucinations, headaches, etc. Some of the long lasting effects would include abrupt shifts in thought and speech, increased breathing rate increased heart rate and blood, increase of body temperature, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, reduced appetite, stomach irritation pressure, etc. Effects for an overdose of amphetamines tend to be much more critical than symptoms for that of a normal dosage for the drug. There are several ways to know if you are experiencing an overdose of the drug., and sometimes being aware of these symptoms can lead to saving your own life. Some of the effects or signs that are a red alert for an overdose and you should beware of include seizures, irregular heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, aggressiveness, panic, hallucinations, restlessness, confusion, rapid breathing, tremors, heart attack, stroke, renal failure, and severe hyperthermia. If you are a user of amphetamines and experience any of these listed symptoms you are most likely at risk of an overdose, and should speak to a doctor immediately. Although these amphetamines are addictive and at high risk for both pyhsical and potential abuse, theere are several other routes to take other than to continue using the drug for your own pleasure. While a residential amphetamine rehab facility is essential for recovery, it is common for users of amphetamines to refuse seeking help, or even visiting a doctor or rehabilitation services. Consumers tend to experience an overdose considering its high risk of potential abuse. Whenever consumers overdose, or even take the drug occasionally, there are several treatments doctors use in order to recover the patient from either the overdose or from getting the consumer to stop taking the drug. When the consumer is occasionally taking the drug and is seeking help to impede, the treatment is a visit to a residential amphetamine recovery facility. At the facility, patients will go through the intake process, which consists of a physical checkup and basic tests to determine the addiction as well as any existing medical conditions that might affect treatment. Detox comes next and lasts for up to a week, this helps in getting liberated of the drug presence in the body. While this is taking place the patient is usually not allowed visitors and is closely supervised for signs of withdrawal, which may involve panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, depression, and lethargy. Counseling to help the patient find the cause of compulsion occurs next. For example, if a student they says they were using the drug to help stay concentrated and study more, they’ll learn better study habits, or in other words shown a different route than taking the drug. (Recovery.org) However, rehabilitation is only for users who have not yet found themselves undergoing symptoms of overdoses, or are not as addicted but simply are attempting to quit before they find themselves in these severe stages. These individuals experience different treatment from those patients who have become so addicted and are now or have already faced an overdose and are rushed to the emergency room. Treatment in the emergency room depends on what symptoms the patient is experiencing from the overdose, and are very chronic. Emergency room treatments focus on managing the severe factors of an overdose because of the fact that there are no drugs that directly counteract amphetamines. The treatments vary, for example, if a patient experiences a seizure, anticonvulsant drugs, preferably benzodiazepines, will be used. If there is no IV access, lorazepam or midazolam may be substituted. To prevent further seizures, a longer-acting drug, like phenobarbital, may be used. To protect the kidneys, overdose patients may aggressively be treated with IV crystalloid. Hypertension in amphetamine overdose patients will first be treated with sedation. If the patient’s blood pressure does not fall, vasodilators or beta-blockers can be used to reverse hypertension caused by methamphetamine abuse. If the patient is suffering from a rapid heartbeat and possible chest pains, nitroglycerin may be used if they also have elevated or even normal blood pressure. If the patient does not develop any life-threatening amphetamine overdose symptoms, quiet observation in a medical setting may be all that is required (projectknow.com). Amphetamines are common; in fact, there are multiple celebrities who have also experienced the use of the drug in the past. For example, Charlie Parker’s introduction to drugs was B- bombs (bronchitis inhalers), Adolf Hitler couldn’t function without daily methamphetamine injections into his butt, and he also took cocaine eye drops. The British Prime Minister, Anthony Eden MP, lived on Benzedrine throughout the Suez Crisis. Judy Garland developed an amphetamine addiction after using it to keep her weight down, and Lenny Bruce was prescribed Benzedrine for narcolepsy but acquired a habit. One of the more popular celebrity stories was Britney Spears’s. Her former bodyguard revealed back in October 2012 that the singer was once hooked on prescription drugs and would down up to 30 a day. He also claims she shaved her head to beat a drug test. “She liked to use amphetamines. Mostly everything that went wrong was because of this drug,” One of Lutfi's first actions after being hired as manager was having drug-sniffing dogs search the singer's hilltop home and claimed the dogs turned up a substance which Britney told Lufti was probably crystal meth (independent.co). I was unable to find out whether or not Britney was convicted or punished for the use of amphetamines, but it would be insolent to assume she wasn’t because of the fact that it wasn’t made into a major concern. Although it doesn’t mean all celebrities get away with the use of amphetamines. Ryan Adams, shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles, was suspended for 25 games after he tested positive for the banned psychostimulant drug amphetamine (Inquisitr.com). Punishments vary. An individual who is convicted of possessing, distributing, or manufacturing more than 5 grams of methamphetamine can be subject to a prison sentence between 5 and 40 years. If the use or sale of amphetamine sparks a death, the minimum prison sentence will be 20 years. A fine of up to $5 million may be imposed. For a repeat offense, the minimum prison sentence will increase 10 years; the fines will increase by up to as much as $10 million. The associated penalties will be increased for individuals convicted with more than 50 grams of the drug (drugs.laws.com). To synopsize my inquiry, I will make notice that I learned amphetamines have more downs than ups. It is safe to say the pleasure the drug brings is not worth all the pain it will convey for the rest of your life. I have cultured that there are different routes to take rather than simply resorting to the drug as your first option. There are people who are willing to help you quit taking the drug and I now know symptoms to look out for, or that are a sign for an overdose. It was interesting learning why people use amphetamines and how it makes them feel. In a way, exploring the topic helped refrain my own use of them, although I never planned to use them in the first place.
Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which work on the central nervous system as stimulants. A stimulant is a drug that produces a temporary increase of function activity by affecting the chemicals in the brain. There are 4 salts the combine to for the active ingredients, dextroamphetamine saccharate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, amphetamine aspartate monohydrate, and amphetamine. Inactive ingredients are also present, but they do not play a role in Adderall’s function.
In brief, while ecstasy at one point may have been a facilitator in the field of psychology between therapists and patients, it soon became a facilitator in society between recreational users and death. Ever since ecstasy was introduced to the curious public back in the 1960's, it has become a popular preference among drug addicts. Till this day, teenagers all over the world are being pressured into experimenting with MDMA leading them to a life controlled and regulated by not only ecstasy but other various drugs as well. It is actually quite interesting to see what lengths society will go to in order to attain and maintain a sense of happiness and ecstasy.
One may ask, what is methamphetamine and some of the side effect associated with use. Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug chemically related to amphe...
Credibility material: Its intake results in adverse medical conditions that are further exalted by its addiction properties that ensure a continued intake of the substance. The drug can be abused through multiple means and is medically recorded to produce short-term joy, energy , and other effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure. This ultimately results in numerous psychiatric and social problems; factors that played a major role in its illegalization after multiple and widespread cases of its effects were reported in the country during the 1900s. In addition to this, the drug results in immediate euphoric effect, a property which the National Institute of Drug Abuse (2010) attributes to be the root cause for its increased po...
Amphetamines produce feelings of euphoria, relieve fatigue, improve performance, increase activity, and suppress appetite. Euphoric effects associated with the use of amphetamines, increase potential for abuse. Consequently, prolonged use of amphetamines may lead to drug dependence and tolerance. Desired effects are only achieved by increasing to higher doses of amphetamine, which can result in an acute overdose. Seizures, hypertension, tachycardia, hyperthermia, psychosis, hallucinations, stroke, or death can be experienced. Additional reports revealed that those who abuse amphetamines were significantly more likely to report using a greater number of illicit substances including nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, and opiates.
Drugs are used to escape the real and move into the surreal world of one’s own imaginations, where the pain is gone and one believes one can be happy. People look on their life, their world, their own reality, and feel sickened by the uncaringly blunt vision. Those too weak to stand up to this hard life seek their escape. They believe this escape may be found in chemicals that can alter the mind, placing a delusional peace in the place of their own depression: “Euphoric, narcotic, pleasantly halucinant,” (52). They do this with alcohol, acid, crack, cocaine, heroine, opium, even marijuana for the commoner economy. These people would rather hide behind the haze than deal with real problems. “...A gramme is better than a damn.” (55).
Although drugs are used in an illegal aspect for the most part, there are accounts of medical research to prove the positive effects on some patients with long-term diseas...
Crystal meth is a sub-category of amphetamine. Amphetamines are synthetic amines- which are similar to the body's neurotransmitter: norepinehrine and the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline). Amphetamines stimulate the reticular activating system. This activation is transmitted to all parts if the brain. This process causes the user to become aroused, alert and hypersensitive to stimuli- such as sun light.
In a world where mental illnesses like PTSD, depression, and autism are becoming more and more prevalent, MDMA, or “Ecstasy” is just the mental boost that someone needs and is illegally being dealt to patients while in therapy or counseling. The theory is that MDMA can raise “happiness levels” by forcing the brain to release serotonin and dopamine at the same time, resulting in intense euphoria and “ego softening” (Errowid). Some other side effects of MDMA can include feelings of inner peace, increase in social bonding, and an increase in ability to communicate. Some of the less positive side effects can be eye wiggling, increased heart rate, and dehydration. All of which, are quite manageable and not too noticeable. Sufferers of social anxiety and depression could greatly benefit from MDMA, as it can break down inner boundaries and increase the need to be around other people. A grou...
Watanabe-Galloway, S., Ryan, S., M.D., Hansen, K., M.P.H., Wullsiek B., B.A., Muli, V., M.P.A., & Malone, A.C. (2009). Effect of Methamphetamine abuse beyond individual users Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 4131, 241-8.Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/207970885?accountid=41057
the left of a pair of crystals that are a mirror image of each other.
Cannabis, ecstasy and Heroin are just a few names of the drugs that are considered “taboo”. When in fact, these illegal drugs contain various positive impacts on one’s body. A drug like cannabis, when used, allows the use to feel happy, hilled and relaxed. Relaxation does not come easy for some people. Therefore, cannabis may be used for recreational use. Heroin can reduce physical and psychological pain. Many drugs such as, downers and stimulants aid in fighting depression, helping insomnia and nervous tension. “A temporary state of openness”, is what users of the drug ecstasy describe as its effects. For ecstasy, too, allows one to feel alive, alert and produces a feeling of great love towards people. The drug speed also gives an emotion of aliveness or excitement towards the user.
The altered states of consciousness produced by drugs presents an all-to-common phenomenon in today’s society. Whether the desired sensation comes in the form of energy, a means of relaxation, or pain reduction, many people go to great lengths and present their bodies to threatening conditions in order to achieve this euphoric “high.” Unfortunately, the use of these drugs very often comes with dangerous side effects that users must learn to manage with for the rest of their life. According to neuroscientists, our entire conscious existence bases itself off of the lighting-fast reactions occurring in our nervous system (Nichols, 2012). Therefore, changing these neurological reactions can permanently effect our conscious being (Blatter, 2012). The physical and neurological effects from the use and abuse of stimulants, sedatives, hallucinogens, organic solvents, and athletic performance enhancing drugs will be discussed in order to better comprehend why certain individuals expose themselves to such dangerous materials with seemingly no regard to the permanent consequences associated with such actions.
Amphetamines are typically used to provide the same effect that pure adrenaline does. The drug is specified for people with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity as well as narcolepsy, although if you decide to abuse the drug and use it for recreational purposes you may start to feel paranoia and nervousness. Using amphetamines can also put a strain on the circulatory system by causing the user's blood pressure to increase suddenly. (Amphetamine) Long term psychological effects of the drug can cause something called amphetamine psychosis which is much like paranoid schizophrenia. This could lead towards hallucinations, paranoid delusions, and obsessions. (Amphetamine)
The use of drugs is a controversial topic in society today. In general, addicts show a direct link between taking drugs and suffering from their effects. People abuse drugs for a wide variety of reasons. In most cases, the use of drugs will serve a type of purpose or will give some kind of reward. These reasons for use will differ with different kinds of drugs. Various reasons for using the substance can be pain relief, depression, anxiety and weariness, acceptance into a peer group, religion, and much more. Although reasons for using may vary for each individual, it is known by all that consequences of the abuse do exist. It is only further down the line when the effects of using can be seen.