Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
4.2.1
Amphetamine
It is the parent compound of this class of substances, synthesized for the first time
in 1887 and used at the beginning for treating asthma by inhalation. The stimulating
effect was discovered later, in 1922.
4.2.2
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine, known on the illicit market as
speed
,
ice
, or
crystal
, is a white
crystalline powder, with a bitter taste and odor that dissolves easily in water or alco-
hol. Similarly to cocaine, it exerts a potent positive reinforcement and it is believed
that the dextrorotatory form is responsible for the dopaminergic psychostimulant
effect [
15
] .
4.2.3
MDMA, MDA, MDEA
The 3-4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is the prototype of many of
the designer drugs and despite its well known neurotoxicity, is one of the most fre-
quently used drug among young people around the world and especially among
clubbers and ravers. Commonly known as ecstasy, MDMA was synthesized in 1898
by the German chemist Fritz Haber. Ecstasy is considered a stimulant with mild
hallucinogenic effects [
16
] .
MDA, known as the
Love Drug
, and MDEA, known as
Eve
, have very similar
effects as MDMA, but the former has higher psychedelic power, while the latter is
less effective.
Pharmacodynamics
Psychostimulant amphetamines induce the release of catecholamines, such as
adrenaline and dopamine [
15
] .
Entactogene and hallucinogenic amphetamines, furthermore, have an effect on
the serotonin system by increasing the availability of serotonin, a neurotransmit-
ter that controls sleep, mood, emotion, memory, perception, sexual behavior, and
hunger [
14
] .
For oral ingestion the effects start after about 20 min, while the effects of intra-
nasal administration occur within 3-5 min without producing an intense rush.
Effects
The symptoms of amphetamine consumption are tremors, irritability, excessive
loquacity, and anxiety. In the down phase symptoms of sleepiness, fatigue, heart
