Amphetamine (AMP)

What is it?

Amphetamines are artificial stimulants that alter brain chemistry by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine which cause people to feel more alert and stronger. At the same time, using amphetamines also suppresses appetites and causes insomnia. If a person starts to become dependent on the drug for its positive effects, when not using amphetamine, they will become irritable and also struggle with focusing. [1]

 A common prescription form of amphetamine comes in the form of Adderall, a pill that treats attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to some degree. However this drug has quickly been ingested by people who do not have the aforementioned disorders. People such as students, workers and the military who try to get a boost in productivity for various reasons. These people may obtain Adderall by bypassing the prescription and getting it from someone else who did have the prescription. Here they enter a domain where they can quickly use more than they can safely handle and spiral into addiction. [2]

Other names for Amphetamine:

  • Pep
  • Upper
  • Study buddy[3]

What health risks are there?

Short-term:

  • Suppressed appetite
  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased breathing rate
  • Dilated pupils
  • Alerntess
  • Insomnia
  • Dry mouth






Long-term:

  • Chronic sleep problems
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • High blood pressure
  • Severe withdrawal
  • Mood swings
  • Weight loss
  • Constipation
  • Addiction[4][5]






How is it used?

Amphetamines come in pill or powder form and can be ingested, smoked or injected.

[1] http://www.gov.pe.ca/hssaddiction/index.php3?number=1011495&lang=E

[2] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/high-times/adderall-amphetamine_b_4174297.html

[3] http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryglossary/g/Amphetamine-Definition.htm

[4] http://chemistry.about.com/od/drugs/a/Adderall-Facts.htm

[5] http://www.isate.memphis.edu/amphetamines.html