Amphetamines:
The stimulation caused by amphetamines is caused by excessive release of norepinephrine from storage sites in the peripheral nervous system. It is not known whether the same action occurs in the central nervous system. Two other theories for their action are that they are degraded slower than norepinephrine or that they could act on serotonin receptor sites.
Therapeutic doses of amphetamine elevate mood, reduce feelings of fatigue and hunger, facilitate powers of concentration, and increase the desire and capacity to carry out work. They induce exhilarating feelings of power, strength, energy, self-assertion, focus and enhanced motivation. The need to sleep or eat is diminished.
Levoamphetamine (Benzedrine), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and methamphetamine (Methedrine) are collectively referred to as amphetamines.
Benzedrine is a mixture of both the dextro and levoamphetamine isomers. The dextro isomer is several times more potent than the levo isomer.
The misuse and abuse of amphetamines is a significant problem which may include the house wife taking diet pills, athletes desiring an improved performance, the truck driver driving non-stop coast to-coast, or a student cramming all night for an exam.
