Amphetamine

Amphetamine
The skeletal formula of Amphetamine.
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names	Amphetamine, speed
Substitutive name	Benzedrine, Adderall, dextroamphetamine
Systematic name	(RS)-1-phenylpropan-2-amine (RS)-1-phenyl-2-aminopropane <-- Class Membership -->
Class Membership
Psychoactive class	Stimulant
Chemical class	Amphetamine
Routes of Administration
Oral Dosage WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section. DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is a summary of data gathered from users and resources. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy. Threshold 5 mg Light 10 - 30 mg Common 30 - 60 mg Strong 60 - 100 mg Heavy 100+ mg Duration Total 6 - 8 hours Onset 20 - 60 minutes Peak 3 - 6 hours Offset 3 - 5 hours Afterglow 5 - 10 hours

Summary sheet: Amphetamine

Amphetamine (contracted from α-Methylphenethylamine) is a strong central nervous system stimulant that increases activity in the brain and induces temporary improvements such as enhanced alertness, wakefulness, and locomotion. It is the parent compound of the substituted amphetamines class which also includes MDMA, methamphetamine, DOM, and DOC.

Amphetamine is widely used throughout the world as a prescription medicine for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the sleeping disorder narcolepsy. It is also used without prescription as an illicit substance of recreational use or abuse.

Although the term amphetamine traditionally refers to an equal combination of the two enantiomers levoamphetamine (l-amphetamine) and dextroamphetamine (d-amphetamine), it is frequently used for any mixture of the two or only one of them. The popular prescription drug Adderall contains both enantiomers. The drug is usually taken orally, but can also be insufflated, injected, or administered rectally.

Chemistry

Amphetamine is comprised of a phenethylamine core featuring a phenyl ring bound to an amino (NH2) group through an ethyl chain with an additional methyl substitution at R_α. It can be referred to as a methyl homologue of phenethylamine as it has the same general formula, differing only in the addition of one methyl group.

Pharmacology

Amphetamine is a full agonist of the trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1), which is a key regulator of common and trace brain monoamines such as dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline. The agonism of this set of receptors results in the release of increased concentrations of dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline in the synaptic cleft. This leads to an increased rate firing of the post-synaptic neuron, triggering both cognitive and physical stimulation within the user.

Subjective effects

The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. The listed effects will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects.

Physical effects

The physical effects of amphetamine can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. These are described below and generally include:

• Stimulation - In terms of its effects on the physical energy levels of the user, amphetamine is usually considered to be extremely energetic and stimulating in a fashion that is identical to that of methamphetamine, but stronger than that of modafinil, caffeine, and MDMA. It is similar, yet distinct, from the stimulation experienced on MDMA, encouraging physical activities such as dancing, socializing, running, or cleaning. The particular style of stimulation which amphetamine presents can be described as forced. This means that, at higher dosages, it becomes difficult or impossible to keep still as jaw clenching, involuntarily bodily shakes and vibrations become present, resulting in extreme shaking of the entire body, unsteadiness of the hands, and a general lack of motor control.
• Increased heart rate
• Dehydration'
• Appetite suppression
• Nausea
• Frequent urination
• Abnormal heartbeat
• Vasoconstriction
• Temporary erectile dysfunction
• Bronchodilation
• Increased perspiration
• Increased blood pressure

Cognitive effects

The cognitive effects of amphetamine can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. The general head space of amphetamine is described by many as one of extreme mental stimulation, increased focus, and powerful euphoria. It contains a large number of typical stimulant cognitive effects. Although negative side effects are usually mild at low to moderate dosages, they become increasingly likely to manifest themselves with higher amounts or extended usage. This particularly holds true during the offset of the experience.

The most prominent of these cognitive effects generally include:

• Focus enhancement - This component is most effective at low to moderate doses as anything higher will usually impair concentration.
• Thought acceleration
• Analysis enhancement
• Wakefulness
• Memory enhancement
• Motivation enhancement
• Cognitive euphoria
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Compulsive redosing
• Cognitive fatigue - This component can occur during the offset of this compound as a rebound effect which is usually equal in its intensity to the enhancements which occurred before it.

Toxicity and harm potential

This radar plot shows therelative physical harm, social harm, and dependence of amphetamine.

In rodents and primates, sufficiently high doses of amphetamine cause dopaminergic neurotoxicity (or damage to dopamine neurons) which is characterized as reduced transporter and receptor function. As of March 2014, there is no evidence that amphetamine is directly neurotoxic in humans. High-dose amphetamine can cause indirect neurotoxicity as a result of increased oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species and autoxidation of dopamine.

Lethal dosage

The LD50 (the dosage required to kill 50% of the test subjects) of amphetamine in rats has been found to be between roughly 15mg and 180mg per kilogram depending on the study. No formal studies in humans have been carried out.

Tolerance and addiction potential

Tolerance develops rapidly in amphetamine abuse, so periods of extended use require increasing doses of the drug in order to achieve the same effect. Addiction is a serious risk with heavy recreational amphetamine use, but is unlikely to arise from typical medical use.

Psychosis

Main article: Stimulant psychosis

Abuse of amphetamine can result in a stimulant psychosis that may present with a variety of symptoms (e.g., paranoia, hallucinations, delusions). A Cochrane Collaboration review on treatment for amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methamphetamine abuse-induced psychosis states that about 5–15% of users fail to recover completely. The same review asserts that, based upon at least one trial, antipsychotic medications effectively resolve the symptoms of acute amphetamine psychosis. Psychosis very rarely arises from therapeutic use.

Dangerous interactions

Although many drugs are safe on their own, they can become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with other substances. The list below contains some common potentially dangerous combinations, but may not include all of them. Certain combinations may be safe in low doses of each but still increase the potential risk of death. Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.

• Tricyclic antidepressants - Amphetamine may increase the effects of tricyclic antidepressants to dangerous levels.
• 25x-NBOMe - Both the NBOMe series and amphetamines induce powerful stimulation. Side effects such as thought loops, seizures, increased blood pressure, vasoconstriction, increased heart rate, and heart failure (in extreme cases) may occur.
• Alcohol - It is dangerous to combine alcohol, a depressant, with stimulants due to the risk of excessive intoxication. Stimulants decrease the sedative effect of alcohol which is the main factor most people consider when determining their level of intoxication. Once the stimulant wears off, the effects of alcohol will be significantly increased, leading to intensified disinhibition as well as other effects. If combined, one should strictly limit themselves to only drinking a certain amount of alcohol per hour.
• DXM - This combination may cause increased heart rate and panic attacks (in extreme cases).
• MXE - Increased heart rate and blood pressure may occur.
• Tramadol - This combination can increase the risk of seizures.
• MDMA - The neurotoxic effects of MDMA may be increased when combined with amphetamines.
• MAOIs - This combination may increase the amount of neurotransmitters such as dopamine to dangerous or even fatal levels. Examples include syrian rue, banisteriopsis caapi, 2C-T-2, 2C-T-7, αMT, and some antidepressants.
• Cocaine - This combination may increase strain on the heart.

Legal issues

Amphetamine is legally approved for medical purposes worldwide. However, it is a controlled substance and is illegal to sell and possess in most countries without a prescription.

• United States: Amphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance.
• Canada: It is a Schedule I drug.
• United Kingdom: Amphetamine is considered a Class B drug.
• Thailand: The drug is classified as a category 1 narcotic in the Thai Narcotic Act of 2012.
• South Korea: Amphetamine is banned even for medical purposes.
• Japan: Amphatamine is prohibited.

See also

• Responsible use
• Stimulants
• Modafinil
• Substituted amphetamines
• DOM
• MDMA

External links

• Amphetamine (Wikipedia)
• Amphetamine (Erowid)
• Potential Adverse Effects of Amphetamine Treatment on Brain and Behavior: A Review
• Dextroamphetamine and Amphetamine (Medicine Plus)