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Amphetamine

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substance

Amphetamine is a synthetically produced stimulant belonging to the phenethylamine class of drugs. Amphetamine causes the release of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, resulting in euphoria and increased energy. A mixture of caffeine and amphetamine is usually sold under the names speed or pep. Medical amphetamines are used, among other things, in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

group

Stimulants

Be careful when mixing substances!

  • Codeine

  • GHB / GBL

  • heroin

  • Ketamine

  • cocaine

  • Nitrous oxide

  • Opioids (painkillers)

Forms of appearance

White, beige, yellowish or pinkish powder or paste, rarely packaged in capsules or in pill form.

Consumption patterns

Mostly snuffed or swallowed as a "Bömbeli", less often injected or smoked.

dosage

Due to the varying purity (the amphetamine content of street amphetamines can differ significantly!), dosing is difficult and the risk of accidental overdose is high. Doses exceeding 25 mg of pure amphetamine intensify the negative effects; a dose of 50 mg within 12 hours should not be exceeded.

Substance groups

Snuffed

Maximum dose: 5-10 mg
Low dose: 10-25 mg
Average dose: 25-40 mg
High dose: 40-75 mg
Very high dose: + 75 mg

Effect

Release of the body's own neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine. Increased self-esteem, elevated body temperature, suppression of hunger and sleepiness, feeling of increased performance, increased risk-taking, suppressed pain perception, euphoria, and increased talkativeness (verbal stimuli).

The perceived effects [1] and duration of action vary greatly from person to person. Important factors influencing how amphetamine affects a person are dosage, frequency of use, prior experience, set, and setting.

Onset of effect

Sniffed after 2–10 minutes, swallowed after 15–120 minutes (significantly faster on an empty stomach than on a full one).

Duration of effect

Snorted: 3–6 hours; swallowed: 4–12 hours (amphetamine is poorly broken down in the body).

After effect

Up to 24 hours (sniffed and swallowed).

Risks and side effects

Tremors, restlessness, nausea, rapid heartbeat and cardiac arrhythmias, sleep disturbances, headaches, nervousness, irritability, loss of appetite, and aggressive behavior (especially in combination with alcohol) are possible. At high doses: hallucinations, uncontrolled movements (tics), circulatory collapse, strokes, as well as kidney, liver, and heart failure, and states of deep unconsciousness. An often underestimated danger is the rise in body temperature up to 41°C, resulting in life-threatening overheating and dehydration.

After the comedown: extreme need for sleep, intense hunger, depressed mood, anxiety, irritability, etc. There is also a risk of unintentionally consuming synthesis impurities. Synthesis impurities arise from unsanitary manufacturing processes in the laboratory. The extent to which these impurities and their interaction with the amphetamine are harmful to health is unknown.

Long-term risks

Amphetamine addiction with psychological symptoms can develop rapidly with regular use. Frequent amphetamine use can lead to deficiencies (calcium deficiency, causing bone and dental problems) and psychological issues such as depression. Intensive use can result in constant restlessness (but also persistent fatigue), sleep and circulatory problems, anxiety and paranoia, and even amphetamine psychosis. Furthermore, high blood pressure, motor disorders, weight loss, skin inflammation ("speed bumps"), stomach problems, abdominal cramps, as well as liver and kidney damage and epileptic seizures are possible. Snorting damages the nasal mucous membranes and nasal septum, while swallowing damages the stomach lining. Chronic use increases the risk of cerebral hemorrhages and strokes with sudden paralysis. There may also be an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease later in life with chronic use.

Safer Use

  • Use drug checking! If this is not possible, use a low dose (max. dose 50mg per 12 hours).

  • Before taking the medication, consider how long you want to stay awake! Don't suppress your need for sleep.

  • The least risky way to consume amphetamine is by swallowing it ("Bömbeli").

  • Moist amphetamine (paste) must be thoroughly dried before consumption, as paste contains particularly harmful solvents (synthesis impurities).

  • Eat enough after consuming to prevent weight loss.

  • Drink 500 ml of water or isotonic drinks per hour.

  • If you use this product frequently, take vitamins C and D as well as minerals (iron, calcium and magnesium).

  • Give yourself time to recover, and take breaks of several weeks after each use.

  • People with high blood pressure, liver and kidney diseases, epilepsy, chronic psychoses and diabetics should refrain from consuming amphetamines.

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