Amphetamines belong to the psychotropic sympathomimetic stimulants.
They stimulate the adrenergic receptors in myocardium and central nervous system (CNS). Their properties are similar to the ones of the alkaloid ephedrine, including euphoria-hypomania, anorexia-satiety, thermogenesis, increased fatty acid oxidation – lipolysis, alertness-restlessness, sleeplessness-insomnia, tachycardia-increased heart rate, arrhythmias -palpitations, tremors-trembling and tachypnea- increased respiration.
In medicine, they were initially prescribed and administrated for the clinical phenomenon of narcolepsy, where the individual shows drowsiness and psychosomatic fatigue with changes in their sleep schedule.
In modern medicine, amphetamines were medically used as a method to suppress hunger and appetite, or even to boost BMR and fat burning effect.
Amphetamines are highly addictive, as several people have made extensive uses of it, like soldiers in the WW2, Afghanistan, Gulf, or even police officers in the US during late shifts.
Amphetamines were widely spread among university students in Europe.
The reason why amphetamines are highly addictive is due to the increase of neurotransmitter dopamine.
Dopamine is associated with the feeling of reward, initiative and self-confidence.
In sports, amphetamines are widely used by track athletes in explosive sports (speed, throws, jumps), but also athletes who demand stamina and endurance (tennis, soccer, volleyball, cycling).
They provide alert and increase of fatigue threshold.
Motor drivers (F1 and Moto GP) for improved concentration, alertness and focus.
The side effects of its use are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea syndromes, palpitations – arrhythmias, hypomania and emotional instability.
The peak of amphetamines action occurs within an hour.
AMPHETAMINES