Amphetamine

= __ Amphetamine __ = by Shannon

** History of Amphetamines: **Amphetamines are drugs known as psycho-stimulants, which means they are agents that have mood-elevating properties and produce such effects. To be specific, amphetamines were originally used to increase alertness and decrease fatigue and stress. Some of the general effects related to this drug are loss of appetite, a sudden increase in energy, and euphoric hallucinations. Amphetamines were initially created in 1887 by the chemist Lazăr Edeleanu at the University of Berlin. They later became available to the public in the 1927, incorporated into the prescription drug Benzedrine, and were purchased over the counter for nasal congestion and narcolepsy. In the later 1930's, amphetamines were also used to aid in the treatment of MBD, or minimal brain dysfunction, which is currently known as ADHD. Some of the main persons using amphetamines during this time were truck drivers and pilots, in order to prevent them from falling asleep on the job. Now, people have found even more uses for this drug, many of which are illegal. For example, intravenous abuse of amphetamines became popular with addicts who came to be recognized as "speed freaks."

Although injection was the most preferred way of abusing amphetamines, it could also be taken orally as a pill, snorted as a powder, or it could be smoked in a form known as "ice." Amphetamines are found in many over the counter drugs, which are sold in drugstores and also in clandestine labs for the average junkie. After amphetamines are administered, the onset of the effects could take place up to 40 minutes later. The duration of these effects usually last 4-8 hours, but could be prolonged, depending on how the amphetamines were taken.
 * Additional Information: **

** Properties: **
 * IUPAC Name: 1-phenylpropan-2-amine
 * Formula: C 9 H 13 N
 * Molar Mass: 135.2084 grams/mol
 * Melting Point: 538-545 °F (281-285 °C)
 * Boiling Point: Not able to boil
 * Percent composition: C - 80.48% H - 10.13% N - 9.39%


 * Effects: **
 * psychosis that is similar to schizophrenia
 * paranoia
 * preoccupation with own thoughts
 * visual and auditory hallucinations
 * violent behavior (mainly seen in chronic abusers)
 * vasoconstriction (tightening of blood vessels)
 * dilated pupils
 * accelerated heartbeat
 * insomnia
 * nervous twitching


 * Drugs containing Amphetamines: **
 * Adderall
 * Vyvanse
 * Dexedrine
 * Ritalin
 * Adipan
 * Benzedrine


 * Resources: **
 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphetamine
 * http://www.ohsinc.com/amphetamine_speed_uppers_pep_pills_bennies.htm
 * http://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/4862
 * http://www.3dchem.com/moremolecules.asp?ID=400&othername=Benzedrine