Speed

Amphetamine, or speed, is an illegal hard drug popular in nightlife. The drug has a strong stimulant effect and gives a lot of energy. This makes it difficult for the user to sit still and causes a serious energy shortage afterwards. Speed has a highly addictive character and it can be difficult to stop. This is partly due to the withdrawal symptoms, including paranoia, depression and sleeping problems. 

History

Amphetamine was first synthesized in 1887 at the University of Berlin. This was done by the Romanian scientist Lazar Edeleanu. The drug was marketed as a medicine to treat people with respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis. The drug first appeared on the market under the name Benzedrine. The drug was prescribed in the form of inhalers. Furthermore, because of its uplifting effects, it was also used by doctors to treat patients suffering from narcolepsy. Only later did it become clear that the patients also suffered serious side effects such as addiction and heart problems. 

Speed as a medicine

In the 1930s, amphetamine became increasingly popular. The American Medical Association approved amphetamine in pill form at this time. This could be prescribed as a medication to treat concentration disorders (later called ADHD). Today it is still used for this purpose. The well-known drug Adderall consists of a mixture of different amphetamine salts. 

There were numerous other ailments and conditions that amphetamine was used for. It was used to treat depression, to lose weight, and to help with alcohol hangovers. 

In World War II it was widely used as a stimulant by soldiers. Amphetamine was mainly used by American and British soldiers. Japanese and Germans used mainly methamphetamine, a stronger form of speed. 

During this period, the harmful side of the drug also became increasingly apparent. The drug was widely given officially as medicine to military service members, among others. In the 1940s, for example, pilots were prescribed speed and related substances as a way to stay alert longer. Several users developed serious heart problems that more often than not led to premature death. When this got out of hand, the drug became prescription-only. 

During the Vietnam War, soldiers used large amounts of drugs, a significant portion of which were amphetamines. About 60% of soldiers used drugs. 

Usage

Amphetamine is available in several forms. It is usually manufactured as a white powder or in pill form. 

• Pill: When swallowed, it begins to work after about 20 minutes. The drug is also often taken in the form of a "bomb": powdered speed is put into a piece of rolling paper and rolled into a ball. Because of the paper, it takes a little longer for the drug to be absorbed and the effect can only be felt after 30 minutes to an hour. 
• Smoking: Abroad, mainly the United States, amphetamine is also smoked. This is called crystal meth and is done with methamphetamine, a form of speed that is even more potent. In Europe, it is mainly speed that is in circulation and this cannot be smoked. Speed can be obtained in powder form, while crystal meth consists of crystals. Methamphetamine is inhaled through a glass pipe after it has been heated using a lighter. 
• Snorting: Speed is usually snorted, however, then the effects are felt after only a few minutes because it is absorbed directly through the nasal mucosa. Speed in powder form can be somewhat moist and is then impossible to snort. It is then dried before use. 

Difference between amphetamine and methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a more powerful form of amphetamine. The drug was first synthesized in 1919 by Japanese scientist A. Ogata. 

Effects 

Amphetamine has a stimulating effect. Users have a lot of energy, sweat and often make a lot of movements. The drug activates parts of the brain that normally "turn on" in the face of danger or excitement. The neurotransmitter norepinephrine and adrenaline are produced by the body, giving a user a big boost and making them feel temporarily very active and alert. 

Users generally feel very lethargic, lacking energy and depressed the day after. Users who use speed for a longer period of time suffer from this to a greater extent. Quitting can lead to depressive symptoms.

Physical effects

• Stimulating: speed gives a physical and mental energy boost. It incites to move a lot, dance, run and clean. At high doses it can become impossible to sit still and the user has a constant tendency to move their jaws. Shivering and reduced precise motor skills are common. 
  After this stimulant effect diminishes, it is replaced by general fatigue and exhaustion. 
• Abnormal heart rhythm: changes in heart rhythm occur. A user may experience palpitations. Blood pressure may also rise significantly. 
• Nausea: A user may feel nauseous. This can be somewhat avoided if some food is eaten beforehand. 
• Mania: people who are prone to this are more susceptible to mania when using amphetamine. This is mainly a risk for users who have bipolar disorder or schizophrenia or have a predisposition for this. The risk increases when a user takes high doses and gets little sleep. 
• Teeth grinding: as mentioned earlier, a user on speed has difficulty staying still. The body makes uncontrolled movements. Teeth grinding is common, especially at high doses. This damages the teeth. However, it is less intense than with MDMA. 
• Increased temperature: amphetamine makes the user feel hotter and can cause severe sweating. Dehydration is often the result. 

Mental effects

• Motivation: users often report an increase in motivation and the desire to make plans. The risk is that someone becomes manic. 
• Inflated ego: speed users may feel superior and have temporarily high self-confidence. 

Addiction

Speed has a highly addictive nature. Many users find it difficult to stop using. The energy boost, motivation and overall effect on the mind become increasingly difficult to resist. Recreational users who use speed regularly quickly develop dependence, where it can be difficult to stop because of the withdrawal symptoms. 

Withdrawal Symptoms

Regular speed use makes quitting all the more difficult because of the negative side effects. The body is physically and mentally exhausted, which causes various reserves to become unbalanced. As a result, a user must recover substantially. Some of the symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Concentration problems
• Mood swings
• Reduced motivation
• Insomnia
• Strong desire for speed
• Decreased appetite
• Increase in heart rate

Tolerance

A user who uses amphetamine regularly will soon need to increase the dosage to get the same effect. 

Sirius smartdrugs for natural energy

As a smartshop, Sirius' goal is to let people enjoy legal smartdrugs. Hard drug users find themselves in dangerous territory, where the risk of addiction can be very high. Speed is also a dangerous substance that demands a lot from your body and mind. 

At Sirius you can get stimulating capsules that consist of a clever mix of various powerful plant extracts and caffeine. Of course, these stimulant legal remedies are plant-based and close to their natural source. They won't produce the extreme stimulant effect you'd expect from amphetamine. This is just as well, because you actually need very little to feel energized and motivated to dance and move. 

Bionix Brazilian Power

Capsules for long-lasting energy thanks to guarana. This plant is native to the Amazon jungle and its seeds contain high concentrations of caffeine, even more than coffee. In terms of effect guarana gives a longer lasting effect, with both mental and physical energy. These energy capsules also contain several B vitamins, so you feel even better the next day. 

NXT Phase Yellow

This line of energy-giving food supplements has been specially developed by Sirius to bring about different effects that are all stimulating. Each color has a unique effect thanks to a chosen plant extract. For NXT Phase Yellow, ginseng has been chosen. This Asian root has been used within Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years as a general tonic and longevity enhancer. Research shows that people who regularly take ginseng have a reduced risk of getting cancer. 

Ginseng is further known for refreshing and stimulating properties, giving a user more mental focus and physical energy. Ginseng is also used as a body warmer and can be sexually stimulating.

Recovering from amphetamine

Naturally, Sirius advises against the use of amphetamine. People who do use are recommended to recover by getting enough rest, eating healthy and taking a supplement such as L Tyrosine-B6, which promotes the reuptake of dopamine in the brain. This is important in recovery from speed because the drug disrupts the supply of this neurotransmitter. 

L Tyrosine-B6 supplement: tyrosine is the precursor to dopamine. Dopamine plays a role in the body for having energy, getting motivation and alertness, among other things. In a tense state, dopamine can help calm down. Take 1 capsule daily, at least half an hour before breakfast. 

Mood Doctor: This natural antidepressant is a great tool for drug users who are suffering from withdrawal symptoms. One of the common side effects of quitting an addiction is suffering from depressive symptoms.

CBD: the substance from the cannabis plant is widely applicable and can relieve various complaints including sleep problems, depressive symptoms, anxiety. It can also relieve physical pains and muscle cramps.