Amphetamines: A Case Study

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The current use of amphetamines can be seen as very negative substances in current society. This comes from the addictive properties it produce on the human body, producing a great amount of psychological, biological, and economic turmoil not only on the user but also those that come into relations with the user. The psychological turmoil it produce can be attributed from the biological changes amphetamine’s produce on the central nervous system in the human body. Although the initial use of amphetamines was not seen with such a negative stigma, as it is seen in today society. According to Meyer and Quenzer (2013) the original amphetamines were used in ancient Chinese culture as a herbal remedy as well in religious ceremonies, and can be dated …show more content…
Meyer and Quenzer (2013) describes the changes to a synthetic bi-product occurred because the high demand for amphetamine’s and the lack of natural resource being able to fill those demands. The earliest synthetic amphetamine was known as Benzedrine, but with small chemical changes have produced multiple sub-categories of amphetamines according to Meyer and Quenzer (2013). The popularity of amphetamine was reached in mid-20th century occurring from world war two, this occurred because militant personal were given Benzedrine for its behavioral and mood altering affects according to Tracey and Flower (2014). Current amphetamines have been classified in the mood altering drug category known as psychomotor stimulants but may also include substances such as cocaine, nicotine, and caffeine for their ability to produce energy and positive mood changes. With small chemical changes to original amphetamine chemical formula sub-category of amphetamines can be produced and include such drugs as methylenedioxymethamphetamine (M.D.M.A) or ecstasy, methamphetamine, ephedrine, and dextroamphetamine …show more content…
Tracy and Flower (2014) characterizes the behavioral effects that occur when introduced in to the body to include heightened energy, heightened alertness, sleep delay, reduced fatigue, increased exhilaration, increased mood, increased self-confidence, and feeling of euphoria. Meyer and Quenzer (2013) have associated these mood and behavioral attributes from the amphetamines interaction with the neurotransmitter systems such as dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), and norepinephrine (NE). The effects of amphetamines are not all positive there a multiple negative side effects associated with the use of them as well. The increased use produce a tolerance for the drug, which requires a higher amount to produce similar effects that can lead or entail to drug dependence or substance abuse along with a risk of acute biological effects described by Campbell and Young (2015). There is also multiple short term and long term effects that can be produced when amphetamines are produced. Willi et al (2017) describes some of the short term effects to include psychotic symptoms, delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, increased aggression, disorganized thinking, and