Amphetamine

Published on July 11, 2024 at 8:00 / Updated on July 25, 2024 at 8:00

methamphetamine

Synonyms	The most common synonyms are: Fine crystals (smoked or injected): Crank, Crystal meth, Glass, Ice, Tina Powder (injected or snorted): Chalk, Meth Tablets (ingested): Candy, Peanut, Peach, Pill, Pink, Speed Other street names include: 222, Amp, C.R., Gak, Geek, Geet, Go, Go Fast, Jib, Ladies Speed, Mye, P2P, Pink Glass, Poor Man's Coke, Prope Dope, Red Rock, Tweak, Zip, Peanut butter, Peanut, Hawaiian salt, High speed chicken feed, Koolaid, Kryptonite, Rock candy, Sketch, Soiks, Spooch, Stove top.
Classification	Stimulant: Refers to a substance that stimulates mental function and increases the brain's overall activity and alertness.
Visual description	Methamphetamine: tablets (various colours and stamped with different logos), crystals (fine, transparent and shiny), powder (white or other colours) Amphetamine: tablets (often contain a mix of amphetamines)
Mechanism of action	Increases the activity of catecholamine-containing neurons. Increases dopamine levels in the part of the brain that mediates pleasure (mesolimbic area), which results in a feeling of euphoria and happiness. Increases alertness due to its effect on noradrenaline and increases irritability due to its effect on serotonin. Repeated use leads to dopamine depletion and the individual becomes unable to experience enjoyment unless they use methamphetamine/amphetamine.
Routes of administration	Methamphetamine:smoked (the crystals are put in a pipe and the fumes are inhaled), ingested, injected or snorted Amphetamine:mainly orally

Effects sought out by the user

Decreased fatigue and drowsiness
Euphoria
Hallucinations
Heightened alertness and awareness

Hyperexcitability
Reduced appetite (weight loss)
Sense of well-being

Common toxic effects

Agitation
Anxiety
Delusions
Digestive disorders
Dilated pupils
Dizziness
Dry mouth and unpleasant taste in the mouth
Hallucinations
Headache

Increased respiratory rate
Increased temperature
Insomnia
Paranoia (can last a few days to a few weeks)
Reduced appetite
Stomach cramps
Sweating
Teeth grinding
Tremors

Severe toxic or overdose effects

Abnormal increase in body temperature
Acute renal impairment
Agitation and violent behaviour
Arrhythmias
Cardiovascular stress (increased heart rate and blood pressure)
Chest pain

Coma
Convulsions
Death (often caused by cardiac arrest, stroke or hyperthermia)
Heart attack and hypertensive crisis
Stroke

Effects associated with chronic use

Behaviour similar to paranoid schizophrenia: visual and auditory hallucinations, delusions of grandeur and delusions of persecution, hostility and violence
Cardiac arrhythmias
Compulsive scratching (feeling that there are bugs under the skin)
Memory and mobility problems

Meth mouth: tooth decay, gingivitis, loss of teeth
Psychosis
Significant weight loss
Skin sores (acne, tooth and gum erosion)

Tolerance (need to increase the dose to feel the same effect)

Yes (quick). Tolerance to its euphoric effects develop more quickly than tolerance to the appetite suppression.

Addiction

Yes (considerable psychological dependence develops very quickly - in as few as one to two doses). The risk of addiction is ten times greater when the drug is snorted or injected.

Withdrawal

The most difficult period during withdrawal usually lasts between 1 and 3 days and causes cravings, extreme fatigue, exhaustion, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, sleep disturbances (prolonged but disrupted sleep), irritability, intense hunger, dysphoria and anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure).

Onset and duration of action
Route of administration	Onset of action	Peak	Duration of action
Methamphetamine
Smoked	0 to 2 minutes	Between 1 and 2.25 hours	4 to 8 hours
IV	0 to 2 minutes		4 to 8 hours
Oral	30 to 40 minutes	At least 3 hours after ingestion	4 to 8 hours
Snorted	5 to 10 minutes	About 4 hours	4 to 8 hours
Amphetamine
Oral		About 4 hours after ingestion

Screening

Blood: can be detected in blood 1 to 3 days after use.
Hair: if hair is 2.75 cm or longer, it can be detected for up to 90 days. If hair is shorter, detection is less than 90 days.
Urine: can be detected in urine 3 to 6 days after use.

Intoxication management

No antidote available.
Treatment is mainly symptomatic. Activated charcoal may be administered if the ingestion is recent (only if taken orally). Do not induce vomiting due to the high risk of convulsions.

Many different street drugs are sold under the same name. Furthermore, nothing guarantees the quantity, purity or even the content of a street drug in spite of the fact that it may, in some cases, look like medication.

If you need help or want to learn more:

Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction

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