Amphetamines

Amphetamines include drugs like dextroamphetamine, benzedrine,dexedrine, Ritalin and many other chemicals. Amphetamines were originallydeveloped as a treatment for asthma, sleep disorders (narcolepsy) andhyperactivity. In 1920, a drug called "ephedrine" was used to treatasthma. In China, the ma huang plant (Ephedra vulgaris) had beenused for centuries to treat people with asthma. It is no wonder that theplant worked...the ma huang plant contains ephedrine. In 1932, syntheticephedrine was sold "over-the-counter" and was available without aprescription until 1954. During World War II, amphetamines were given tosoldiers and pilots to keep them alert and to fight offfatigue.

Amphetamine Effects on the Nervous System Amphetamines are stimulants of both the centralnervous system and sympathetic division of the peripheral nervous system. It appears that the main action of amphetamines is to increase thesynaptic activity of the dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmittersystems. Amphetamines can: cause the release of dopamine from axon terminals. block dopamine reuptake. inhibit the storage of dopamine in vesicles. inhibit the destruction of dopamine by enzymes. All of these actions result in more dopamine in the synaptic cleft whereit can act on receptors. Many of the effects ofamphetamines are similar to cocaine. Addictionto and withdrawal from amphetamines are both possible. Amphetamine usealso causes tolerance to its effects. This means that more and moreamphetamine must be used to get "high." Like cocaine withdrawal,amphetamine withdrawal is characterized by severe depression and fatigue.Users will go to extreme measures to avoid the "downer" that comes when the effect of amphetamines wears off. Short-term effects of amphetamine useinclude: Increased heart rate Increased blood pressure Reduced appetite Dilation of the pupils Feelings of happiness and power Reduced fatigue Long term use of amphetamines can result in: Insomnia, restlessness "Paranoid psychosis" Hallucinations Violent and aggressive behavior Weight loss Tremors

Take a shorton-line, interactive quiz about amphetamines, cocaine andmarijuana.

For more information about amphetamines,see: Amphetamines -National Clearinghouse for Drug and Alcohol Information AmphetamineEffects on the Brain - Center for Substance Abuse Research Addictionto Amphetamines - Center for Substance Abuse Research Amphetamines -Addiction Research Foundation Amphetamines- Indiana Prevention Resource Center Amphetamines- Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association Resource Center MethamphetamineAbuse from the National Instituteon Drug Abuse MethampetamineAbuse (Research Report) from the National Institute on Drug Abuse Methamphetamine/PublicSafety - from StopDrugs.org

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