Amphetamines: A psychostimulant drug

Amphetamines are synthetic drugs and are considered powerful brain stimulants. They are used to increase the focus and wakefulness. Amphetamines can be both prescribed and street drugs while recreational users of amphetamines have named them “speed”. In case an individual abuses street amphetamines for a prolonged period of time various health issues can arise including malnutrition, psychosis, and brain damage. There are also individuals who use amphetamines for the purpose of enhancing physical performance.

There are distinct types of amphetamines produced by authorized pharmaceutical companies, which are prescribed by doctors to treat mental disturbances. Illegal stimulants are created in non-certified labs and are usually mixed with other drugs. When purchasing illegal drugs individuals have no way of knowing whether the dosage is adequate and what other substances they will be taking.

In any case it is illegal to produce or distribute amphetamines outside of reputable institutions. Furthermore, it is against the law to carry or consume amphetamines that have not been prescribed. In Australia, the most widespread type of amphetamine is methamphetamine. There are three distinct types of the drug including base, ice, and speed. The base is simply a damp gummy paste. Ice comes in the form of a powder and is slightly more intense than the rest. It is commonly called “crystal meth”. Finally, speed is also a powder and is the most widespread kind of the drug.

When it comes to the US, amphetamines are considered to be very easily abused as they are widely employed legally. In Canada, for instance, individuals who are caught with illegal amphetamines are prosecuted and fined or imprisoned. The laws are even stricter in the UK where persons who are in possession of amphetamines could be imprisoned for up to five years.

The way a person would react to an amphetamine depends on many different factors. For instance, the individual’s expectations play a major part in determining the intensity of the drug. For those who are in better physical shape or have string postures larger doses are necessary in order to reach a desired state. Finally, the substances that are mixed into the amphetamines as well as the dosage taken regulate the effects of the drugs.

In addition, when an individual is in a stressful situation the brain is prepared to take action. The two types of actions are fight or flight, or in other words either face the danger or run and hide. Amphetamines produce the fight or flight response by increasing blood pressure and heart rate, directing the blood flow into muscles, and by triggering the production of various stress hormones. As amphetamines are commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder their primary effect is to eliminate the feeling of fatigue and increase attention and alertness. On the other hand, once the effects wear off the individual usually feels extremely tired, agitated, and depressed.

The instantaneous effects of amphetamines include edginess, an abundance of energy, increased heart rate, loss of appetite, sweating, and so on. It should be noted that even when the consequences of amphetamines start to fade they could still be detected through a blood and urine test within the next four to eight hours or a few days, respectively. Also, the higher the dosage the more intensely the effects are felt. Coupled with the common reactions to amphetamines are coordination and vision problems, and headaches.

When it comes to overdosing on amphetamines it usually happens when they are mixed with alcohol, sleeping pills, or marijuana. As is the case with any other type of overdose the consequences can be dire including stoke, heart attack and death. Taking drugs, which are initially used to treat psychological disturbances, could lead to the development of tolerance in individuals who are taking them for a long time. The more a person takes drugs the higher dosage is needed to achieve the desired effects. As a result the body becomes unable to run without amphetamines. Dependence is closely linked to withdrawal if the individual is unable to get the needed dose in time. The most prominent symptoms of withdrawal include panic attacks, fatigue, sleep problems, and depression.

Anyone who uses or abuses amphetamines for long time can expect serious health problems, which result from the drugs’ damaging the system. For instance, brain cell impairment is characteristic of all drug use. Drug induced psychosis is also a very common occurrence and once the psychological issues begin most aspects of the person’s life start to suffer, such as work, family, finances, social life, and so on. The symptoms of psychotic disorders include delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations but in drug abusers they are not considered permanent. Other physical health problems include inadequate diet, as the drugs interfere with appetite, sleep problems, and weak immune system.