What are Amphetamines and Stimulants?

Amphetamines are powerful psychomotor stimulants, like cocaine. All psychomotor stimulants produce wakefulness, increased activity, and decreased appetite. They also increase the activity of the autonomic nervous system, which controls the iris of the eye and the smooth-muscle actions in the body that outside of a person’s willful control, such as heart rate. In humans, these drugs also produce feelings of euphoria, well-being, and self-confidence.

The chemical name of amphetamine is alpha-Methyl benzene ethanamine. Amphetamine is structurally related to ephedrine, a natural stimulant found in plants of the genus Ephedra. It is also structurally related to adrenaline, the body's "fight or flight" hormone. Amphetamines are prescription medicines used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD. True amphetamines come in tablets or capsules, although they are sometimes ground up and/or diluted before use. "Look-alike" drugs are also made in underground labs. Amphetamines may be swallowed, snorted, or injected.