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GENERAL INFORMATION:
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AMPHETAMINESWhat Are Amphetamines? Amphetamines, in their pure form, are a colorless liquid with a strong odor and a burning taste. They are man-made stimulants. They are marketted in ampules, capsules and tablets. They also come as an odorless crystalline powder. They are taken orally or by injection. Amphetamines have been available since 'the 1930's. They were used first as a nasal inhaler to treat colds and hay fever. But they were found later to stimulate the central nervous system, their primary medical use today. As stimulant, amphetamines sharpen alertness, curb hunger, banish sleep, dispel depression. They generate feelings of renewed physical and mental power, produce an elevation of mood and a sense of well being. The commonly abused amphetamines are: Benzendrine ("bennies"), Dexedrine ("dexies"), Methedrine ("meth" or "speed"). These are available not only in their pure forms, but in combination with tranquilizers and barbiturates as well. How do Amphetamines work? Amphetamines stimulate the brain areas associated with vigilance, mood and heart action. In emergency situations, artificial and excessive stimulation of these brain cells is vital. But harmful effects can occur when stimulation is prolonged by amphetamines. Amphetamines, when they activate, release "norepinephrine," a substance stored in the nerve ends, and concentrate these in the brain's higher centers. This speeds up action of the heart and the metabolic process, through which the body converts food into the chemicals it needs. What Are the Amphetamine Effects? In ordinary doses (15 to 30 mg.), amphetamines give a user a short-term feeling of surging physical strength, mental alertness and personal wellbeing. The actual effects are: the body and mind are given a battery recharge, get a sense of renewed sharpening and strengthening; hunger is deadened. A fatigued person, when he takes amphetamines, - shows a physical and mental boost. His fatigue subsides; strength returns to him. He is able to do physical work again, sometimes more than what he yields normally. He also shows an increased capacity to concentrate and think. The user also feels gay, happy, up in spirit. Hence the popular names given to amphetamines: "pep pills," "jolly beans." Unknown to abusers, however, is: amphetamines push them to a greater burning of energy than normal, much more than they realize. Utter fatigue often results, which usually goes undetected until it is too late. Herein lies a main danger of the "Up" drugs. When amphetamines are "mainlined" or injected, an ecstatic "high" occurs. This buoyant and lifting feeling subsides after a few hours, however; to reproduce the hyper-stimulation, the abuser gets a re-injection, The cycle can go on for days until the abuser is physically and mentally exhausted. Shaking, tension, itching and muscle pains are common among extreme "Up" drug abusers. Mentally, in drugs talk, they can "blow their brains"; in plain talk, they go crazy. Collapse and death have occurred. What Are the III Effects? Among the physical and mental ill effects of amphetamine abuse are:
What are signs for high amphetamine doses? An abuser gets signs he has taken a high dose or, worse yet, a lethal overdose, like: a rise in his blood pressure, heart palpitations, rapid brething, dry mouth, cold sweating, acute headache, confused thinking, disorganized speech, dulled emotions, jitters, tensions, hyper raw nerves, diarrhea, paleness, dilation of eye pupils. He also has hallucinations, visual and hearing. When these hit him, he needs skilled medical and pstchiatric treatment. What Are the Amphetamine Medical Uses? Amphetamines and related drugs have a wide, important and essential use in medicine. They are used for:
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