Ben Ullrich
Aug 9, 2017 · 7 min read

Amphetamines are psychomotor stimulants that can increase energy, focus, and self-awareness when used responsibly. Pharmaceuticals containing amphetamines include Adderall, Ritalin, Strattera, Concerta, and several others. Methamphetamine is a common street form of amphetamine. Use of amphetamines can have a range of fun and useful effects, though overuse can be detrimental to one’s health.

Amphetamine Basics

Psychomotor stimulants affect the nervous system. Amphetamines affect brain chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine to produce increased energy, wakefulness, and focus. Pharmacologically, amphetamines are used in the treatment of ADHD, obesity, and narcolepsy due to effects including: increased ability to focus, reduced appetite, and increased wakefulness. Black market demand for amphetamines is driven by desire for increased focus, energy, and sense of well-being. The sale of prescription amphetamines to college students or others needing mental focus and energy to complete projects is common.

Use and abuse of amphetamines is also motivated by the feelings of euphoria that are experienced by users, particularly with the use of methamphetamine (meth). Meth is the most common form of amphetamine made and sold on the black market. It’s also referred to as “Crystal”, “Go Fast”, “Tina”, “T”, “Shards”, and “Ice” and many others. Whereas pharmacological amphetamines are designed to release over a period of time (Controlled release), smoking, snorting, or injecting meth delivers an intense almost immediate high.

To snort or smoke meth, you need to chop/smash the crystals into powder form. Snorting is a less effective method of ingestion than smoking. A hot rail is a fashionable form of ingestion among many recreational meth users. It involves snorting a ”rail” of meth up a small glass or pyrex tube of which one end has been heated. The heat instantaneously vaporizes the meth and you end up with a lungful of smoke.

Meth differs molecularly from prescription amphetamines in such a way that it crosses the blood-brain barrier more quickly than pharmaceutical amphetamines and has a more significant euphoric effect. The combination of a boosted mood and heightened alertness can lead to a great level of productivity, deep conversations, and the relief of lowered inhibitions. Feelings of well-being and invincibility replace feelings of worry and limitation. It is surprising to many that a synthetic drug can produce a state of increased self-awareness that can lead to significant personal growth.

Know the Risks

Amphetamines are synthetic substances. Thus, responsible use is especially crucial. With any pharmaceutical or synthetic substance, long term and/or excessive use puts users at risk for various side effects. Adults who were prescribed amphetamines as children often suffer mental distress later in life in the form of paranoia, depression, decreased ability to concentrate, restlessness, disruptive sleep patterns, and more. Heart disease and high blood pressure are other negative effects of prolonged use of amphetamines.

Occasional binging on amphetamines is also taxing to the body. Minimally, overuse will cause sleeplessness, muscle fatigue, and irritability. Extreme overuse or overdose can produce symptoms like heart palpitations, chest pain, and elevated respiratory rates, paranoia, compulsive behaviors, aggression, hypothermia, and dehydration. While rarely fatal, it’s certainly not necessary or wise to use a dosage that results in these unpleasant symptoms.

While combining amphetamines and weed can enhance your experience, mixing alcohol and amphetamines is not advised.

Responsible Use of Amphetamines/How to have the best time possible with minimal recovery

Smart, responsible usage is important to avoid neurotoxicity and unpleasant physical and mental effects. Responsible usage entails understanding your intention for use, acquiring quality product, adhering to a minimal use dosage plan, and preparing for recovery.

Understanding your intention for use

Ask yourself why you want to use amphetamines. This helps you identify what type of amphetamine to use. If you need to get some work done, a pharmaceutical will work best. If you want to party and let loose, meth is more of a match.

Both forms are conducive to productive conversations. Some couples find meth their most recommended couple’s therapy based on the conversations they are able to have under the influence and the sex that follows (more about sex later). Either way, remind yourself that the goal isn’t necessarily reached by doing more (in fact, doing too much can get in the way of all of the desired positive effects). Awareness of that will keep you on track for a productive day or a great night.

Acquiring quality product:

The cleaner the product, the better the high and the easier the recovery. Think critically about where and who the product is coming from. Educate yourself on what to look for.

Look for a clear crystal rock with a texture resembling broken glass or glass shards when purchasing meth. If it’s in powder form, it’s almost definitely been cut with something. It’s commonly cut with epson salt or table salt or another substance that is crystalline in appearance.

Do some research so you can recognize the pill forms to be sure you know what strength and what kind of time-release you’ll experience. Again, buy from someone you trust.

Know your source. Think critically about who you’re getting the product from. Do they use amphetamines? Can they give you an accurate assessment of the potency of the product? Does the seller make the substance or purchase it directly from the person who makes it? Ideally, buy from the cook. The more removed from the source you are, the less likely you’re getting a pure product.

Dosage plan: Pharmacological amphetamines are typically time-release pills that release the drug steadily over a span of time. With meth, smoking, injecting, or snorting it delivers a high quickly. Snorting is a less efficient technique of ingestion compared to smoking or injection.

Due to the quick boost in mood, excessive redosing can be an issue with meth. The initial rush of euphoria with a hit of meth doesn’t last long, despite that the level of the drug in the blood remains about the same (Psychology Today, 2016). A sense of pleasure is still maintained, but some users feel a need to chase and maintain the initial rush, which leads to overuse.

Do as small of a dose as you can to reach the high you seek. It’s easy to find yourself reaching for the pipe to load and smoke another bowl unnecessarily, especially in social situations. Put the amphetamines away and smoke a bowl of weed instead. Take some deep breaths and get conscious of the euphoria and well-being you’re experiencing. Your body will thank you. Using more amphetamines than you need is what leads to side effects and difficult recovery.

Regardless of dosage, your body will need to recover in the sense that along with the amphetamine, you’re ingesting various other chemicals and additives the body has to process. Additionally, being super stimulated increases your heart rate which necessitates a period of rest.

Prepare for recovery:

Responsible use starts before ingestion. In addition to knowing your source, having a dosage plan in place, and setting an intention for your experience that will keep you within the realms of an enjoyable time, stock your cabinet with some recovery tools.

Have lots of low-sugar, high electrolyte beverages like coconut water on hand. Drink these and and water throughout your high and as recovery the next day.

Supplements that promote feelings of well-being and aid muscle recovery are recommended. Take vitamin B, 5-HTP, and a magnesium-potassium blend.

Have an easily accessible nutritious meal available for when you come down. You may not have a huge appetite when you start to come down. However, eating a nutritious meal is a great way to give your body what it needs to repair itself.

Sex and Meth

Meth has a noticeable effect on sexual drive and can enhance sexual experiences. Euphoria and lowered inhibitions can open people up to mind-blowing sexual experiences. While the scientific explanation for this is incomplete, research confirms the connection. The 2010 study by Jessica A. Mong and Mary K. Holder demonstrates a connection between meth use and female initiation of sex. There are several studies examining the male experience of sex and meth as well.

Psychiatrist Dr. Steven Lee explains in his book, Overcoming Meth Addiction: An Essential Guide to Getting Clean (2006) that normally, sex involves dopamine and serotonin. However, he states that with meth use, dopamine levels are elevated, which means the chemical linked to “the aggressive, sort of animalistic kind of sex” dominates the sexual experience by overpowering the intimacy chemical that is serotonin. Responsible use of meth thus can result in a really uninhibited sexual experience.

Moderating consumption of meth is important if enhanced sex is your purpose for using. A study by Frohmader, Batemen, Lehman, and Coolen (2010) indicated that too much meth renders males unable to perform sexually, while smaller doses can increase drive to the point of “maladaptive seeking of sexual behavior.” It’s important to note that overuse and prolonged use of meth can make it difficult for men to get or sustain an erection while under the influence.

Regardless of gender, overuse of this stimulant can result in difficulty reaching orgasm. While this seems silly, it is uncomfortable and can lead to extreme behavior in chasing an orgasm as found by Frohmader, Batemen, Lehman, and Coolen. Your best bet is to dose responsibly.

Final Thoughts

The potential benefits of using amphetamines are surprising to many. Meth has been classified as a dirty, sketchy drug abused by dirty, sketchy people. As with many substances, there is a potential for abuse and a potential for positive growth; it all comes down to the person. The intention you have for your experience and the state of being you bring to using are key.

Ben Ullrich

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