Amphetamine Research Papers

Addiction is the same irrespective of whether the drug is alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or nicotine. Every addictive substance induces pleasant states or relieves distress. Continue use of addictive substances induces adaptive changes in the brain that lead to tolerance, physical dependence, uncontrollable craving and, all too often, death. Dependence is at such a point that stopping is very difficult and causes severe physical and mental damage from withdrawal (William C. Shiel Jr, 2008). Individuals become homeless due to an addiction, but in other cases, people don't develop an addiction until after they start living on the

In 1887, amphetamines were first produced in Germany and largely forgotten for forty years. In 1919, methamphetamine, a synthetic stimulant was developed by Japanese pharmacologist, A. Ogata. The drug helped with alertness and well-being. In the 1930 's, methamphetamines were widely used to treat bronchial diseases and narcolepsy. The American Medical Association approved a tablet form in 1935 for ADHD. During WWII, German and Japanese pilots used methamphetamines to stay awake during long flights, while the U.S and U.K used amphetamines. After the war, Japan saw an epidemic of methamphetamine abuse. The drug was still being used legally into the 1950 's and 1960 's by everyone from homemakers to truck drivers for alertness and weight loss. In 1970 methamphetamines became regulated in the Controlled Substances Act and a public education campaign was mounted to educate people about the dangers of the drug. Starting in the 1980 's and into the 1990 's the drug became extremely popular in the southwest,

Amphetamine was first developed in Germany in 1887 as a treatment for respiratory problems. Methamphetamine originated from japan in 1919. Amphetamines were used to treat several conditions from common colds all the way to depression.

Ritalin and Adderall are two commonly prescribed medications for hyperactive disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Methamphetamine is not even on the list of prescribed medication for ADHD. (NY Times, 2013). It is an outdated medical drug, and has limited medical usage. Most articles when describing meth’s medical usage has a few sentences about it can be used to treat ADHD or obesity. (EMCDDA, 2015). There are better forms of treatment available now with the advances in drug research and design for disorders that meth was previously prescribed for.

Soon after the discovery of amphetamine, methamphetamine was synthesized from ephedrine in 1893 by Japanese chemist, Nagai Nagayoshi. (Chikte, Grobler, & Westraat, 2011). Later, in 1919, methamphetamine hydrochloride was synthesized by pharmacologist Akira Ogata via reduction of ephedrine. During World War II, methamphetamine was sold in the form of tablets as the brand name Pervitin, produced by Temmler Pharmaceutical Company. It was used by all branches of the combined Wehrmacht armed forces of the Third Reich, and it was popular for its performance-enhancing stimulant effects, and its ability to induce extended wakefulness. The side effects associated with methamphetamine, such as extreme withdrawal, were so severe that it made the army stop all production and usage in 1940. (Defalque & Wright, 2011). In the United States, the common medical use for methamphetamine is for treating ADHD and obesity in both adults and children. However, the FDA states that the risks outweigh the rewards with methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is prescribed under the name, Desoxyn. (RxList, 2016). Methamphetamine is used recreationally for its effects as a potent euphoriant and stimulant that allows its user to stay high for a longer period of time than other drugs. Available in many

Stage four is Tweaking. Tweaking is the most dangerous stage because it comes after the binge, when they lose the high and the feel good feeling of Methamphetamine; this causes them to be very delusional and aggressive. Stage five is the crash which includes hours of sleep so the body and rest from the rush it has been previously given lasting one to three days. Stage six, meth hangover, the user then becomes very exhausted, hungry, dehydrated and confused this stage can last anywhere from two to fourteen days. The very last stage is the withdrawal which includes them becoming suicidal, losing all energy and very depressed. Since meth withdrawal is extremely painful and difficult, most abusers revert; thus, 93% of those in traditional treatment return to abusing methamphetamine (2006–2014 Foundation for a Drug-Free World). All of these stages greatly affect the brain in

MDMA is not to be confused with 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA). Both of these drugs do the same general thing; however, the effects of MDA are stronger, longer and more dangerous than those of MDMA. MDMA’s street names are Ecstasy and Molly. MDMA was first synthesized in 1912, but did not become popular until the 60’s (NIDA). Once it started becoming popular, psychologists realized that it could be useful during therapy sessions for people with anxiety or PTSD because of the effects it has on people’s minds. During this time the government had no regulations on the drug, but in 1985 the government made MDMA a schedule one drug which made it illegal to take, sell or possess (Vollenweider 241). It is still highly popular during this time as a party drug. People still take this drug even though it is illegal because of the feelings of euphoria, reduced stress/anxiety and increased sexual arousal (Sessa 177).

It is known with the provided information that methamphetamine was originally used for weight loss treatment and now recognized to treat those diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The drug is known for its high risk for abuse which is why its prescribed to avoid misuse of the product. Not everyone can take amphetamine if they have coronary artery disease, heart problems, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, glaucoma, anxiety or history of drug/alcohol abuse (http://www.drugs.com/methamphetamine.html).

Methamphetamine was used originally in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers. There are a few accepted medical reasons for its use, such as the treatment of narcolepsy and ADD, but these uses are limited. In its regular form, methamphetamines are also known as speed, meth, and chalk. In its smoked form, it is known as ice, crystal, crank, and glass. Methamphetamine comes in many forms and can be smoked, snorted, orally ingested or injected. The smokeable form of methamphetamine, knows as "ice," came into use in the 1980's. Ice is a large, usually clear crystal of high purity that is smoked in a glass pipe like crack/cocaine. The smoke is odorless, leaves a residue that can be re-smoked, and produces effects that my continue for 12 hours or more. Since there are a few accepted medical reasons for its use, methamphetamine is a controlled substance in the United States, and cannot be used legally without a doctor's approval. Methamphetamine abuse can also lead to legal, financial, and social problems. If methamphetamines are used during pregnancy, babies tend to be asocial, incapable of bonding, have tremors, have birth defects, and cry for 24 hours without stopping. There is also an increased risk of child abuse and neglect of children born to parents who use methamphetamines. WISC-TV reports, "There's a new drug moving into your neighborhood, reports WISC-TV. It's methamphetamine and it's one of the

For several decades, amphetamines continued to be synthesized in labs for possible medical uses (MDMA, or ecstasy, was first discovered in 1910, with methamphetamine following in 1919). However, most of these drugs went unused until later in the century. In the 1930s, amphetamines began to be used as a substitute for various drugs for respiratory ailments, leading to the creation of Benzedrine, which helped clear passages in the lungs. One of the side effects of Benzedrine use was insomnia, which led to more research on possible uses for amphetamines. Later in the decade, amphetamines were used to treat sleeping disorders such as narcolepsy (a condition whereby patients fall asleep at seemingly random moments throughout the day). However, doctors still did not know about the harmful physical and psychological effects of amphetamines. Viewing this new class of drugs as a panacea, doctors began to use amphetamines to treat children and adults with ADHD, and this use too proved successful. Patients with ADHD reported being more focused and less hyperactive while being treated with amphetamines. During World War II, soldiers who needed to be alert around-the-clock used amphetamines to stay alert late at night and during long engagements. Later on, during the 1960s, amphetamines began to be used as a weight-loss drug, with millions of American consumers using them to lose weight or to stay alert. As we know

I would like to talk about a brief history of amphetamines and cocaine and the withdrawal symptoms associated with both drugs. Amphetamines first appeared in the 1920’s to treat hay fever and the common cold. In the 1930’s the drug was converted into an inhaler to better reach the bronchial sacs of the lungs. The drug was used to treat multiple diseases such as narcolepsy and addictions to other drugs. It was in 1939 that researchers found that amphetamine based drugs were causing harmful effects due to the abuse of the drug. At first the drug was taken by removing the cartridge from the inhaler and dissolving it in liquid and ingesting it. In 1937 amphetamines were approved for pill form. In the 1950’s there was high demand for the pills as they were used mainly to stay awake. Military soldiers, high school students, and truck drivers all used it for this purpose. Cocaine first came to light in the 1880’s. 1905 was when it first became popular to snort the substance instead of ingestion

Also, Methamphetamine brand name is Desoxyn and the slang names are speed, crank, ice, etc. Methylphenidate brand name is Ritalin and Concerta and the slang name is Vitamin R. Lastly, Methcarthinone, which is mostly used in Africa, slang name is cat (Drug use and abuse, 2011, p. 120). Even though medically used amphetamines are used to calm children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), they are still considered to be an addictive and a quite dangerous stimulant (Drug use and abuse, 2011, p. 120).

Amphetamines were first introduced in 1932 and were originally sold as drugs for nasal congestion that came in the form of an inhalant or tablet (Abadinsky, 2014). These types of drugs were the go-to for just about any health issue (Abadinsky, 2014). In the 1930s and 1940s, amphetamines were used medically as treatment for “schizophrenia, morphine addiction, low blood pressure, and caffeine and tobacco dependence” (Abadinsky, 2014, p. 216). Toward the end of the 1940s, the drugs were eventually used as stimulants, also known as analeptics (Abadinsky, 2014). Back then, amphetamines were available without a prescription, therefore anyone could purchase the drugs without a doctor’s permission, and that is how the popularity of the drugs began across the globe (Abadinsky, 2014). Governments,

Another reason for the increasing rise in the use of neuroenhancers is that these drugs are readily available. Often classmates have seen their peers with ADHD take these pills. In college, it is an easy matter of borrowing some from a friend with ADHD who has a ready supply through a prescription or they buy them from a supplier (Talbot 3). One student closely observed the symptoms of his brother who had been diagnosed with ADHD. Upon describing these same symptoms to his doctor, the healthy student received a prescription for Adderall (Talbot 2). Drugs such as Adderall and Ritalin are amphetamines which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Cocaine- Has similar actions as Amphetamines but the effects are more intense. People develop strong psychological dependence on this drug. A cheaper version of cocaine is called "crack".