Amphetamines
Amphetamines are powerful central nervous stimulants. Most ‘speed’ is a white crystalline powder containing amphetamine sulphate. Purity varies, and is often below 10%. Other amphetamines include dexamphetamine and methamphetamine. Both of these chemicals are less common and more powerful than amphetamine sulphate.
Another variation is ‘base’ speed. This paste is usually a late-stage product of amphetamine sulphate production.
I’m off me ‘ead, mate
Most people who take speed experience increased confidence, talkativeness and sociability, euphoria, increased energy, loss of appetite and insomnia.
If you’re sat in a room full of people who are using it you’ll be likely to notice that everybody is talking at great length about meaningless things in a way that suggests that they think they are being incredibly profound, and not listening to a word anyone else has to say. Unless you, too, are off your head. In which case you’ll be far too busy talking at great length about incredibly profound things to listen to other people.
These effects last for four to six hours. As the drug wears off, the ‘high’ experience is replaced by a ‘come-down’, including feelings of low (or no) energy, hunger and tiredness. If someone uses amphetamine regularly or takes a high dose they are likely to feel anxious, irritable and sometimes paranoid.
Large doses of amphetamine can cause amphetamine psychosis. This is clinically very similar to other psychoses – like paranoid schizophrenia. People suffering from amphetamine psychosis often feel that there’s a conspiracy, people are out to get them, they’ve done something wrong and that everyone else knows all about it.
This can be extremely frightening. The experience usually diminishes when the person comes down from the amphetamine high. Particularly vivid experiences will be likely to cause a sense of unease even after the drug experience has ended.
Amphetamines stimulate the central nervous system. Common physical reactions include dilated pupils, dry mouth, loss of appetite, an increase in body temperature and insomnia. Higher doses can cause stomach upset, sweating, jaw tension, a disturbed heart rhythm, flushing and cold hands and feet. Less common effects include increased blood pressure, palpitations and tremors.
…the risks, what-about-the-risks, tell-me-about-the-risks, what-about-the-risks-eh? safe, innit? innit? eh? what about it then, eh?
Regular use of amphetamines will interrupt sleep patterns and eating habits, and can lead to extreme paranoid delusions. Whilst it may be true that just because you’re feeling paranoid it doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you, it’s easier to live in ignorant bliss if you don’t do a lot of speed, and avoid doing it on a regular basis.
Someone who feels upset, anxious or irritable and uses speed will find that their feelings are intensified as they come down from the effects of the drug.
Someone who is speeding and drinking alcohol will not feel the full effects of the alcohol until the speed starts to wear off. They will still get drunk, but they’ll be wide awake and drunk. They’ll still find it more difficult to make rational decisions than normal. If you know someone who is angry, using speed and drinking then keep a wide berth. Potentially volatile would be one way to describe a short fuse that’s lit and burning. Steer clear.
Illegally produced amphetamines are ‘cut’ or adulterated with other substances. In the UK, ‘speed’ is regularly confiscated by the police with a purity as low as 4%. Most speed will be 5% to 10% pure.
Amphetamines increase metabolic rate, and will use up stores of nutrients in the body. Someone using speed will recover more quickly afterwards if they replace essential nutrients like Vitamin C and Calcium, and rest properly. It’s a good idea to take vitamin and mineral supplements several days before taking the drugs, to give your body time to absorb the nutrients.
Using speed causes an increase in heart rate and body temperature, and sometimes blood pressure. At high doses it is possible for your heart to go into arrhythmia – it starts jumping about all over the place. Body temperature can soar, causing overheating. Taking speed with other stimulants like E increases these risks.
Amphetamine use can affect sexual behavior. Your interest in sex may increase or decrease. Male orgasm and ejaculation are inhibited, meaning sex with a man can last for a long time. Make sure that you have plenty of condoms, just in case. Personal lubricants can help to reduce friction in intimate relationships. Remember that oil-based lubricants like vaseline or baby oil will destroy condoms. There are plenty of water-based and silicon lubricants out there.
Most people who suffer from amphetamine psychosis find that it wears off as the drug does. As they come down, they can distinguish between their delusions and what’s really happening. This kind of psychological crisis might trigger more serious and long-term mental health problems for someone whose mental health is generally poor. Regular use can cause long-term or even permanent psychological problems.
Amphetamines aren’t thought to cause physical dependence but there is a risk of psychological dependence. Chopping out a line on Monday to ‘sort your head out’ after a heavy weekend will only make Tuesday even more difficult to cope with. A ‘mid-week’ line or two will rapidly help a recreational user to develop a habitual drug problem.
The law
In the UK, amphetamines are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act,1971 as a Class B, Schedule 2 drug.
The list of Class B drugs includes cannabis.
Any Class B drug that has been prepared for injection becomes a Class A drug in UK law, and as such the potential sentence for any offence increases.
