Forums › Drugs › Amphetamines › What are Amphetamines?
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.
just think of it in a ‘harm minimisation’ way….
you did good :love:
its not that easy to just stop and maybe you need to look at stabilising in a planned and more safe way i.e not injecting and gradually ween yourself off over a little time ?
thanks everyone =] yeah i’m just taking baby steps better than nothing lol x
I’ve only done speed once, and I was unimpressed. Despite not having that much I still felt like death the day after; and I didn’t have anything to help me nod off either, it was awful!
That knowledge of speed combined with a fear needles means I don’t think I could ever inject. Speed’s screwed up a few of my mates too so I’m really wary.
Even if it is “baby steps” its a few steps and a half to where you wanna be going. Good on you raaa
And yeah, needles arn’t my bag either :laugh_at:
Go Wildchild!!
It takes a lot to stop a habit like that and it sounds like you are doing really well at it.
I hate speed – I used to do it when I was younger but soon stopped. I don’t even drink coffee (it makes me tetchy) but if I need to stay sober on a night out I will drink a pint of Coke and you’ll still find me dancing at 3am with a smile on my face. :bounce_fl
Speed just makes me go faster which I find quite boring tbh.
I am well impressed with your determination and your amazing successes so far. Don’t cave in – you deserve better 😉
Wildchild – hope you keep it up! :love: Keep us informed of your progress!
Thanks every1. I never thought i’d get so much suport on here i really apreciate it =].
I had a major setback tonight tho.
My best mate had 1 blue ….. was fine then about 12hours later became drowsy n weird. Now i hav his sister, x gf, n his mam screaming at me asking what hes taking, n blaming me, so i got some wizz n have had i dig =[. I just did it to try n block everything out. but if anything i feel worse now. Just proper sick of everything. Its made me realise i dont need it and i can stop doing it tho. It just fucks ur head up so so much xox
Keep at it wildchild, it’ll all become easier in time.
What’s most important is that you want to stop, do it for yourself ^_^
if you cant do it on your own do you have anyone else to help?
been to your GP?
its difficult to stop anything, keep with the reduction, try knocking the pins on the head – but if you keep at em make sure your injecting safley :group_hug
@wildchild 244361 wrote:
I just did it to try n block everything out. but if anything i feel worse now. Just proper sick of everything. Its made me realise i dont need it and i can stop doing it tho. It just fucks ur head up so so much xox
Youknowsit!
Hi.
No I cant go to my gp atm. got too much going on n that would fuck it up big style.
I kno i can do it monday made me realise i dont need to do it, it fucks u up 2 much. If i keep at it i’m gonna end up been sectioned, n i really dont want that.
Yeah speeds fine now and agen but when u do it constantly u end up with issues. monday made me realsie this. Had nothing since then. Having a session on sat but I’m gettin pills n staying way clear of the amphet.
I was injecting safely anyway, used to be a ward clark on the orthapedics ward so hav plenty of medical knowledge lol
thanks agen every1
xox
@wildchild 244822 wrote:
Hi.
No I cant go to my gp atm. got too much going on n that would fuck it up big style.
I kno i can do it monday made me realise i dont need to do it, it fucks u up 2 much. If i keep at it i’m gonna end up been sectioned, n i really dont want that.
Yeah speeds fine now and agen but when u do it constantly u end up with issues. monday made me realsie this. Had nothing since then. Having a session on sat but I’m gettin pills n staying way clear of the amphet.
I was injecting safely anyway, used to be a ward clark on the orthapedics ward so hav plenty of medical knowledge lol
thanks agen every1
xox
GO WILDCHILD!! sounds like are well on the way :weee:
Thank you =] and I think I’m doin so so well lol……go me xox
Had a bad relapse. had the worst week ever. been arrested 4 possesion of class c. started injecting agen, took smack th comedown was so bad.
I’ve admited everything to my parents n goin to get help on mon……sick of life tbh! x
Forums › Drugs › Amphetamines › What are Amphetamines?