Amphetamines are a class of synthetic drugs that stimulate the central nervous system, from which derivative compounds, such as methamphetamine (speed) and methyl methylendymethamphetamine, also known as MDMA or ecstasy, can be obtained, which are the most widely used and illegally used amphetamines.Substances increase alertness and reduce fatigue, increase concentration, decrease appetite and increase physical endurance, inducing a state of well-being or euphoria.
However, there are amphetamines that are used for therapeutic purposes, such as attention deficit disorder, which can affect children and adults, and for narcolepsy, which is a disorder whose main symptom is excessive sleepiness. Learn more about this disease.
- In addition to stimulating the brain.
- Amphetamines increase blood pressure and heart rate.
- Which can cause a fatal heart attack.
- Stroke.
- And death from suffocation and dehydration.
- More information about other effects caused by amphetamine derivatives.
Intense anxiety, paranoia and distortion of reality perception, auditory and visual hallucinations, and feelings of omnipotence are some of the symptoms associated with the use of this type of drug, but although these effects can occur in any user, people with psychiatric disorders are more vulnerable to them.
Learn more about amphetamines used for therapeutic purposes
Normally, for people who abuse this medicine in the form of methamphetamine or MDMA, detoxification treatment should be performed.
For the recovery of people who use these drugs, it is important to promote individual comfort and a calm and non-threatening environment, because when the use of amphetamines is abruptly discontinued, symptoms are present opposite to the effects of the drug and for this reason, chronic users may require hospitalization while withdrawing the drug.
People who experience delusions and hallucinations should take an antipsychotic medication, such as chlorpromazine, which has a calming effect and reduces distress. However, the antipsychotic drug can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure.