Tropical Weight Loss
Photo by Anna Shvets Pexels Logo Photo: Anna Shvets

Do stimulants make you talkative?

Amphetamines can make people: alert, confident and energetic. talkative, restless and excited.

camh.ca - Amphetamines | CAMH
What are the five signs you may have vitamin D deficiency?
What are the five signs you may have vitamin D deficiency?

Here are five signs to watch out for: Fatigue. Feeling fatigued and sluggish is probably the most common sign of vitamin D deficiency, Dr. ......

Read More »
Last updated Feb 18, 2021
What is the best tea to drink for weight loss?
What is the best tea to drink for weight loss?

Here's a look at six types of tea that may help promote weight loss. Green tea. Green tea may help increase fat oxidation, meaning it helps turn...

Read More »
Last updated Jul 10, 2022

Official Name

​Amphetamines

Street Name

speed, bennies, glass, crystal, crank, pep pills, uppers

What is it?

Types of amphetamines: amphetamine, methamphetamine, dextroamphetamine.

The different types of amphetamines—and related drugs such as methylphenidate (e.g., Ritalin)—are stimulant drugs. Stimulants speed up the central nervous system. They act like adrenaline, a hormone that is one of the body’s natural stimulants. Other drugs with similar effects include cocaine, ecstasy, caffeine, and many others.

Where does it come from?

Amphetamines were first introduced in the 1930s as a remedy for nasal congestion, and marketed over-the-counter as an inhaler named Benzedrine. These drugs were also used medically to treat obesity and depression. Different types of amphetamines were available from the 1930s until the 1970s. People eventually found, however, that the medical value of amphetamines is offset by their dangerous effects and high abuse potential (the chance a drug will be abused, cause addiction or be otherwise harmful). In the 1970s, new laws restricted the medical use of these drugs. Today, only dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, methylphenidate and mixed salts amphetamine are made for medical use. These drugs are used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults. All other amphetamines are made in illegal laboratories.

What does it look like?

Pure amphetamines are white, odourless, bitter-tasting crystalline powders. Illicitly prepared amphetamines vary in purity. They may be whitish with traces of gray or pink and may be a coarse powder, or in crystals or chunks. They may smell “fishy” or like ammonia. Methamphetamine resembles shaved glass slivers or clear rock salt.

Amphetamines are injected, smoked, sniffed or taken as pills.

Who uses it?

When amphetamines were easy to get, many people used them to stay awake and to have more energy. Truck drivers, students and athletes were especially likely to abuse amphetamines. Even recently, soldiers have been given amphetamines for endurance in battle. People with eating disorders may use these drugs to try to lose weight.

How does it make you feel?

How successful is Saxenda?
How successful is Saxenda?

Saxenda® has been proven to be a fairly effective weight loss treatment, with around 86% of people using it losing some weight. The active...

Read More »
Last updated Jan 15, 2020
What foods create brown fat?
What foods create brown fat?

Brown fat foods and compounds that boost activity or induce the browning of white fat include turmeric, green tea, chili peppers, fish oil,...

Read More »
Last updated Aug 7, 2019

How amphetamines make you feel depends on:

how much you use

how often and how long you use them

how you use them (by injection, orally, etc.)

your mood, expectation and environment

your age

whether you have certain pre-existing medical or psychiatric conditions

whether you’ve taken any alcohol or other drugs (illegal, prescription, over-the-counter or herbal). When amphetamines are injected or smoked, they reach the brain quickly and produce a “rush,” or surge of euphoria, immediately.

The effects of amphetamines are often different from person to person.

Amphetamines can make people:

alert, confident and energetic

talkative, restless and excited

feel a sense of power and superiority

tense and nervous

hostile and aggressive.

In children who are hyperactive, however, amphetamines and related drugs, in the correct doses, can have a calming effect. Amphetamines reduce hunger and increase breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. Larger doses may cause fever, sweating, headache, nausea, blurred vision, very fast or irregular heartbeat, tremors, loss of co-ordination and collapse.

How long does the feeling last?

The initial rush after injecting or smoking lasts only a minute. With some types of amphetamines, the stimulant effects can last up to 12 hours. Some people may use amphetamines repeatedly over a period of several days to try to stay high.

Is it addictive?

When taken as prescribed, amphetamines and related drugs do not cause addiction. However, these drugs can cause addiction if they are misused. Methylphenidate is less likely to cause addiction than other amphetamines. Regular non-medical use of amphetamines can lead to tolerance. This means that the person needs to take more and more of the drug to get the desired effect. Regular use of amphetamines, especially when the drug is smoked or injected, can quickly cause addiction. Addiction means that cravings and compulsive use of the drug become very important to a person. If drug use is stopped, the person usually goes through withdrawal, also called “the crash.” Symptoms of withdrawal can include fatigue, restless sleep, irritability, intense hunger, depression, suicidal behaviour and fits of violence.

How did I get a FUPA?
How did I get a FUPA?

A number of factors can contribute to the development of excess fat in the upper pubic area. In many cases, the condition is simply a result of...

Read More »
Last updated Jan 13, 2021
Is it better to drink apple cider vinegar before bed or in the morning?
Is it better to drink apple cider vinegar before bed or in the morning?

Drinking apple cider vinegar before meals or right before bedtime may benefit your blood sugar levels the most. For example, one study in people...

Read More »
Last updated Dec 15, 2019

People who use amphetamines often also use other drugs, such as alcohol, cannabis, or benzodiazepines, to help them relax and sleep. This increases the risk for dependence on these other drugs.

Is it dangerous?

Yes.

Overdose can cause seizures, coma and death due to burst blood vessels in the brain, heart failure or very high fever. Amphetamines are linked to risky and violent behaviours, and increased injury and sexually transmitted disease.

Amphetamines may cause bizarre or repetitive behaviour, paranoia and hallucinations.

Injecting any drug can cause infections from used needles or impurities in the drug; sharing needles with others can transmit hepatitis or HIV.

What are the long-term effects of using it?

Chronic use of amphetamines can lead to serious physical and mental health problems. Because amphetamines reduce appetite and fatigue, they can cause vitamin and sleep deficiencies and malnutrition, and make people more prone to illness. Regular use of amphetamines can also cause amphetamine psychosis. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and bizarre and violent behaviour. These symptoms usually disappear a few days or weeks after the drug use has stopped. Longer-term studies support the efficacy and safety of methylphenidate when taken as prescribed to treat hyperactivity, but more information is needed to evaluate its long-term effects.

Where can I find help, treatment and support?

Where can I find more information?

camh.ca - Amphetamines | CAMH
Which fruit is good at night for weight loss?
Which fruit is good at night for weight loss?

The best fruits to eat at night for weight loss are melons, cantaloupe, and honeydew. These have good water content and are less in calories....

Read More »
Last updated Nov 19, 2019
What happens to your body when you start eating honey every day?
What happens to your body when you start eating honey every day?

Honey boosts your metabolism, which is essential for weight loss. Honey is an excellent antioxidant, which means its regular consumption will...

Read More »
Last updated Sep 30, 2018
How many boiled eggs is enough protein?
How many boiled eggs is enough protein?

3-4 eggs per day. The dietary reference intake for proteins is 0.8 grams per kg of body weight. It amounts to 46 grams of protein per day for an...

Read More »
Last updated May 8, 2018
Does zinc raise your metabolism?
Does zinc raise your metabolism?

' In simple terms, not enough zinc can impair thyroid function, resulting in a slower metabolic rate, which can make it harder to burn fat. To put...

Read More »
Last updated Nov 20, 2019