Methamphetamine and
MDMA. All three of these drugs cause many of the same
effects. Amphetamine is a common
drug of abuse and very deadly, causing many health defects
like cardiovascular problems and brain damage.
Amphetamines are a class of
potent pathomimetic agents with therapeutic applications.
They are chemically related to the human body's natural
catecholamines: epinephrine and norepinephrine. Acute higher
does lead to enhanced stimulation of the central nervous system
and induce euphoria, alertness, reduced appetite, and a sense of
increased energy and power. Cardiovascular responses to
Amphetamines include increased blood pressure and cardiac
arrhythmias. More acute responses produce anxiety, paranoia,
hallucinations, and psychotic behavior. The effects of
Amphetamines generally last 2-4 hours following use, and the
drug has a halflife of 4-24 hours in the body. About 30% of
Amphetamines are excreted in the urine in unchanged form, with
the remainder as hydroxylated and deaminated derivatives.
