Jeffrey Salazar
Amphetamines, commonly known as speed, are a group of stimulant drugs that induce feelings of alertness and energy. They are also known to suppress appetite, which has led to their use in weight-loss supplements and diet pills. While amphetamine and its derivatives are now tightly controlled substances, this was not always the case. In the past, diet pills containing amphetamine were easily accessible and often marketed directly to doctors, who prescribed them to patients. Today, concerns have been raised about the presence of speed-like chemicals in weight-loss supplements, with some countries taking steps to ban or recall certain products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet pills | Speed |
| --- | --- |
| Appetite suppression | Yes |
| Increased energy | Yes |
| Alertness | Yes |
| Sleep suppression | Yes |
| Addiction | Yes |
| Legality | Diet pills are legal, speed is a Class B drug |
| Side effects | Speed can cause a comedown lasting several days, increased risk of colds and flu, and heart strain. |
| History | Diet pills containing amphetamines were popular in the 1950s-1970s, and were often prescribed by doctors. |
| Regulation | The regulation of diet pills and supplements containing amphetamine-like substances varies by country. |
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What You'll Learn
Amphetamines suppress appetite
Amphetamines are stimulants that increase the extracellular concentration of dopamine by blocking dopamine transporters and facilitating the reverse transport of dopamine out of the cell and axon. This increase in dopamine levels is believed to be the primary mechanism through which amphetamines suppress appetite and alter food intake.
Historically, amphetamine was used as a treatment for obesity and to facilitate weight loss. Its effectiveness in suppressing appetite was recognized as early as World War II when it was used to keep soldiers alert and active during combat. After the war, pharmaceutical companies marketed amphetamines for weight loss and depression, and they became widely prescribed as diet pills.
However, the use of amphetamines as appetite suppressants was discontinued due to their significant abuse potential and addictive side effects. Amphetamines can lead to serious health risks, including increased blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature, and can cause severe cardiovascular complications, such as stroke, at high doses.
While amphetamines effectively suppress appetite, their negative side effects and abuse potential have led to the discontinuation of their therapeutic use for weight loss. Researchers are now exploring new approaches to combat obesity by studying the mechanisms behind amphetamine's ability to inhibit food intake, with the goal of developing treatments that are effective but lack the harmful side effects associated with amphetamine use.
Additionally, it is important to note that while amphetamines may suppress appetite, they do not necessarily alter the rewarding and motivational aspects of feeding. This suggests that the mechanism behind amphetamine's anorexic effects may be distinct from its effects on reward-related feeding, which is an important factor in the rise of obesity levels. Further research is needed to fully understand the complex interactions between amphetamine, appetite suppression, and their potential for abuse.
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Diet pill companies market their products directly to doctors
Diet pill companies have a long history of marketing their products directly to doctors. In the 1940s, pharmaceutical companies formed to capitalize on the anorectic effects of amphetamine, attempting to maximize weight loss while suppressing its adverse effects. These companies used unconventional promotional techniques to convince doctors to prescribe their pills. For example, they manufactured colorful pills, such as Clark & Clark's Clarkotabs, which came in green, white, blue, pink, grey, and yellow tablets. The use of colorful pills was part of a regimen, with brochures advising doctors to prescribe different colors to different patients to create the illusion of personalized medication.
These "rainbow pills" were a combination of amphetamines, diuretics, laxatives, thyroid hormones, and other drugs to counteract the side effects of stimulants. They were marketed as providing "proven formulae for pleasingly uniform reduction in weight." While laws and regulations eventually prohibited the prescribing of rainbow pills in the United States, they continued to be marketed in other countries, such as Brazil and Spain, and directly to consumers as natural weight loss supplements.
Today, there are still concerns about weight loss pills containing speed-like chemicals, such as BMPEA (beta-methylphenylethylamine), which has been deemed a serious health risk by Canadian authorities. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not banned these supplements, stating that they do not "identify a specific safety concern." This discrepancy has been attributed to the influence of the supplement industry, which lobbies against stricter regulation.
While the marketing of weight loss pills directly to doctors has decreased, companies now utilize direct-to-consumer advertising through radio, television, and the internet. Additionally, prescription weight-loss pills like CONTRAVE are available with a doctor's prescription and are designed to aid weight loss in adults with obesity or weight-related medical problems. These pills are intended to be used in conjunction with diet and exercise and can help control hunger and cravings.
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Amphetamines were used to keep soldiers awake and alert during WWII
Amphetamines, often referred to as "speed", have been used as stimulants to enhance human performance in various contexts, including military conflicts. During World War II, amphetamines played a significant role in keeping soldiers awake and alert, with both the Axis and Allied forces utilising these drugs.
The German military was the first to employ amphetamines on a large scale during WWII. In 1937, the Berlin-based pharmaceutical company Temmler-Werke began selling methamphetamine, a form of amphetamine, under the brand name Pervitin. This drug was initially available without a prescription and was even added to chocolates. The German chemist Friedrich Hauschild was aware of the stimulant effects of the American amphetamine Benzedrine, which had been used by athletes at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. As WWII progressed, German troops were ordered to stay awake for extended periods during their rapid westward advance through Western Europe. The Pervitin-fuelled German soldiers marched through the Ardennes mountain passes for three days, surprising their enemies with their unprecedented speed and endurance. This campaign, known as the Battle of France, resulted in the swift fall of Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and ultimately, France.
The British Royal Air Force discovered the German use of Pervitin when they found stocks of the drug in a downed German aircraft. Not wanting to be outdone, the U.K. approved Benzedrine, another amphetamine, for use across its military branches. Amphetamines were also administered to American troops, although their focus was more on the drug's mood-altering effects, including increased confidence, aggression, and elevated morale, rather than just combating fatigue.
The use of amphetamines during WWII had a significant impact on the troops, enhancing their stamina, alertness, and mental state. However, the dangers of chronic amphetamine use were not well understood at the time, and many soldiers became addicted, experiencing negative side effects such as heart palpitations, paranoia, and poor judgment in high-stress situations. In the decades following WWII, the addictive nature and health risks associated with amphetamines became more widely recognised, and regulations were implemented to control their use.
While amphetamines have been used for various purposes, including enhancing athletic performance and treating medical conditions like depression, their reputation as a stimulant has led to their association with "speed". The term "speed" is often used to describe amphetamines due to their ability to increase energy, reduce fatigue, and stimulate the central nervous system.
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Weight-loss supplements contain speed-like chemicals that could be harmful
Diet pills and weight-loss supplements have long been associated with amphetamines, commonly known as speed. In the 1950s and 1960s, for example, Obetrol was a popular diet pill in America that combined amphetamine mixed salts and methamphetamine. Amphetamines are stimulants that can suppress appetite, increase energy and alertness, and induce weight loss. However, they also carry significant health risks.
Today, while amphetamines and their derivatives are tightly controlled substances, concerns have been raised about the presence of speed-like chemicals in some weight-loss supplements. A 2018 study published in the medical journal Drug Testing and Analysis found that several supplements available at mass retailers contained a chemical called BMPEA (beta-methylphenylethylamine). This chemical, first synthesised in the 1930s as an amphetamine replacement, has never been introduced as a pharmaceutical, and its side effects on humans remain unknown.
Canadian health authorities have deemed BMPEA a serious health risk, similar to DMAA, another amphetamine-like substance known to cause heart attacks and strokes. They have banned supplements containing this chemical and issued a warning about the dangers of amphetamine stimulants, which can increase blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature, lead to cardiovascular complications, suppress sleep and appetite, and be addictive.
Despite these concerns, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not banned weight-loss pills containing BMPEA, stating that they do not "identify a specific safety concern at this time." This discrepancy in government responses has been attributed to the influence of the supplement industry, which generates $33 billion annually, and the ties between regulatory bodies and the supplement industry.
The potential presence of speed-like chemicals in weight-loss supplements highlights the importance of regulating and monitoring these products to ensure consumer safety. While the use of amphetamines for weight loss may have been more common in the past, the current landscape warrants caution, particularly given the potential health risks associated with these chemicals.
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Speed is a powerful stimulant that can be addictive
Amphetamines, including speed, are powerful stimulants that can be addictive. Speed is usually sold as an off-white or pinkish powder or small crystals. It can be snorted or injected, with effects lasting between 3 and 6 hours. Speed can make users feel more energised and alert, and it can also suppress appetite. However, it can be dangerous, especially for those with high blood pressure or heart conditions, as it puts a strain on the heart. Mixing speed with other drugs can be particularly risky and can lead to overdose or death.
The use of amphetamines as diet pills or weight-loss supplements has a long history. In the 1950s and 1960s, a popular diet pill called Obetrol combined several amphetamine salts and was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). During and after World War II, amphetamines were also used by military members to stay awake and alert during combat, and this continued even after the war ended. The stimulant effects of amphetamines were marketed for weight loss, and companies like Smith, Kline & French (SKF) promoted their drugs for this purpose.
The addictive nature of amphetamines has been well-documented. Users can build up a tolerance to speed, leading them to take higher doses to achieve the same effects. Regular users may also experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop. Additionally, the "comedown" from speed can last for days, leaving people feeling exhausted and depressed.
While amphetamines and speed-like chemicals are still found in some weight-loss supplements today, their safety has been called into question. Canadian health authorities have identified amphetamine-like substances in certain supplements and banned them due to the risk of serious health issues, including increased blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature, as well as potential cardiovascular complications and stroke at high doses. However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been criticised for not taking similar action, with some alleging that the presence of former supplement industry executives in the FDA may influence their decision-making.
The potential for addiction and the health risks associated with amphetamines and speed-like chemicals in diet pills highlight the importance of regulating these substances. While some countries have taken steps to ban or restrict their use, ongoing advocacy for stricter regulations and increased awareness of the dangers of these drugs is crucial to protect public health.
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Frequently asked questions
Speed is a street name for amphetamine sulphate, a powerful stimulant that keeps people awake, alert, and energised. It is usually sold as an off-white or pinkish powder or small crystals.
Amphetamines have been known to suppress appetite, and specific formulations for weight loss were marketed as early as the 1950s and 1960s. Diet pill companies marketed their products, which contained amphetamine-like substances, directly to doctors, who then prescribed them to patients. Today, amphetamines and their derivatives are tightly controlled substances.
While there may be similarities, they are not exactly the same thing. Diet pills can contain amphetamine-like substances or other stimulants, but their formulations vary and may include additional compounds or drugs.
