Amphetamine is a fairly well-known substance that was first used exclusively for medical purposes. Unfortunately, over time, amphetamine preparations began to be used as narcotic drugs. What is amphetamine? What is the mechanism of its effect? What are the adverse reactions from consuming this substance? Today these are pretty topical issues.
What is amphetamine? A bit of history
This substance was first obtained in 1887 by Berlin researchers. But the active study of amphetamine began a little later - in 1927. It was at this time that pharmacologist G. Ails re-synthesized the substance and began to conduct research.
Mass production of amphetamine began in 1933, when a well-known American company began to produce the drug “Benzedrine”. The first known scientific study began in 1935 in Los Angeles. Dr. M. Natanson studied the effects of taking the drug on hospital staff. And already in the 1950s, the first outbreaks of teenage addiction were replaced. Since 1964, amphetamine preparations began to be dispensed only by prescription. At one time, this substance was used by American sailors and pilots, as it quickly removed fatigue and drowsiness, and increased the ability to concentrate. And to date, such drugs are sometimes used among the military. Unfortunately, the abuse of amphetamine and its use as a drug have not disappeared.
What is amphetamine and how does it affect the human body?
Back in 1935, during research, it was noticed that taking it increases activity and relieves fatigue. However, amphetamine is a very powerful psychotropic drug that stimulates the central nervous system.
The pharmacological properties of such drugs are based on an increase in the level of catecholamines (adrenaline, norepinephrine) in the blood. As a result of taking the drug, an increase in activity is observed. Among other effects, one can notice vigor, an excellent emotional state, the ability to have an excellent concentration of attention, a decrease in the body’s need for rest, and a decrease in appetite (by the way, for this reason, small doses of amphetamine were added to diet pills at one time).
The effect of small doses of the drug lasts from 4 to 8 hours, and when used in high doses - up to three days. It was during this period that a person notes a surge of strength, an increase in mental and physical activity, the appearance of an unprecedented confidence in one's own strength. Interestingly, in a small number of people (10%), the use of such drugs causes a completely different, paradoxical reaction - they complain of drowsiness and lethargy.
When the effect of the narcotic substance ends, fatigue, irritability and drowsiness, as a rule, pile on the person. Activity and concentration are quickly replaced by apathy, and sometimes even depression. The fact is that amphetamine preparations use the body's reserve reserves, which need to be restored.
What is amphetamine? Signs and consequences of its use
Taking amphetamines is characterized by a number of physiological effects - this is the expansion of the pupils, increased sweating, increased heart rate and respiration. The regular use of such drugs, of course, affects the human body and its behavior. The need for sleep is reduced, the activity and sense of sexual attraction are increased. A person becomes too talkative, quickly loses weight. The use of amphetamines is usually accompanied by auditory and visual hallucinations.
Prolonged use of this narcotic substance causes health problems, as well as various kinds of mental disorders. Such people are characterized by very aggressive behavior, excessive agitation, causeless panic, hallucinations, memory problems, paranoia.
An overdose of amphetamine often leads to dangerous complications such as a heart attack or stroke.