Dante Carrillo
Amphetamines, commonly referred to as speed, are stimulant drugs that have been used for weight loss since the end of World War II. They are highly addictive and can cause various health issues, including heart problems, mental health issues, and overdose. Despite these risks, some weight-loss supplements still contain speed-like chemicals, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been criticized for not banning them. Today, amphetamine and its derivatives are tightly controlled substances, and their use is restricted. However, prescription weight-loss pills containing amphetamine-like substances, such as phentermine, are available and fall under Schedule III or Schedule IV controlled substances. These pills are meant for chronic weight management but come with a risk of dependence and abuse.
Characteristics and Values of Speed as a Controlled Diet Pill
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Controlled Substance Classification | Schedule II drug, Schedule III drug, Schedule IV controlled substance |
| Effects | Increased attention, alertness, energy levels, feelings of euphoria, decreased appetite, weight loss |
| Side Effects | Heart problems, mental health problems, addiction, overdose, sleep problems, tooth decay, impaired judgment and coordination, psychosis, delusions, decreased immune system, risk of accidents, eating disorders |
| Active Ingredients | Amphetamine, phentermine, ephedrine, benzphetamine, phendimetrazine, diethylpropion, BMPEA |
| Brand Names | JetFuel Superburn, JetFuel T-300, MX-LS7, Aro Black Series Burn, Black Widow, Dexaprine XR, Fastin-XR, Lipodrene Hardcore, Lipodrene Xtreme, Stimerex-ES, Yellow Scorpion, Adipex-P, Lomaira, Ionamin, Atti-Plex P, Didrex, Adipose, Anorex-SR, Statobex, Qsymia, Saxenda, Contrave, Victoza, Tirzepatide |
| Legality | Illegal to have without a valid prescription, illegal to possess, supply, or drive under the influence |
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What You'll Learn
Amphetamines suppress appetite, leading to weight loss
Amphetamines are a class of stimulant drugs that increase alertness, attention, and energy. They work by increasing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. While amphetamines have legitimate medical uses, such as in the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy, they have also been used recreationally due to their stimulating effects.
Amphetamines have long been known to suppress appetite, which can lead to weight loss. This effect was first recognized after World War II, when companies began marketing amphetamines specifically for weight loss. Amphetamines were often prescribed by doctors for this purpose, and colorful diet pills containing amphetamines became popular.
The mechanism by which amphetamines suppress appetite is not fully understood. However, it is believed to be related to their ability to increase the extracellular concentration of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a complex role in the control of feeding behavior. Low doses of amphetamine have been found to increase feeding, while higher doses inhibit feeding.
Despite their effectiveness in suppressing appetite and promoting weight loss, amphetamines are no longer used as appetite suppressants due to their significant abuse potential and addictive side effects. Amphetamine use can lead to physical and psychological dependence, and withdrawal can be challenging. In addition, amphetamines can have dangerous health consequences, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, and have been linked to serious health risks such as heart attacks and stroke.
Today, amphetamine-like chemicals and drugs such as phentermine are sometimes prescribed for weight loss, but they are tightly controlled substances due to their potential for abuse. Phentermine is approved for short-term use in individuals with a high body mass index (BMI) or other risk factors, and it is meant to be used in conjunction with diet, exercise, and behavioral modifications.
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Speed is a central nervous system stimulant
Amphetamine, commonly known as speed, is a central nervous system stimulant. It was initially developed for medical use and was prescribed to treat conditions like narcolepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obesity. However, due to its potential for abuse and addiction, it is now a controlled substance in many countries and is illegal to possess or use without a valid prescription.
Speed stimulates the central nervous system, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, and decreasing appetite. It can also lead to increased attention, alertness, energy levels, and feelings of euphoria. The effects typically last for 3-6 hours but can last longer in some individuals, especially if they have taken a high dose or have a history of stimulant abuse.
Amphetamine was once a common ingredient in diet pills, and its appetite-suppressing effects were often marketed as a weight-loss aid. However, the use of amphetamine in weight-loss supplements has come under scrutiny due to its potential health risks. While it can cause weight loss, it can also lead to the development of eating disorders or an unhealthy relationship with food. Additionally, the misuse of amphetamine through snorting, injecting, or smoking can increase the risk of addiction and overdose.
In the United States, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies amphetamine-like drugs, such as phentermine, as Schedule IV controlled substances due to their potential for abuse and dependence. Phentermine is often prescribed as part of a weight-loss plan that includes exercise, behaviour modification, and calorie restriction. It is typically used for short-term treatment in individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher with additional risk factors.
Despite the concerns surrounding the use of amphetamine-like substances in weight-loss supplements, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been criticized for not taking stronger regulatory action. While Canadian health authorities have banned certain supplements containing amphetamine-like chemicals, the FDA has stated that these supplements do not "identify a specific safety concern at this time."
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Diet pills are prescription weight loss medication
Amphetamines, also known as 'speed', have been used as diet pills since the 1960s. In 1969, an undercover journalist named Susanna McBee exposed the magnitude of the United States' amphetamine use, which was fuelled by weight worries and prescribed with abandon until the 1970s. Amphetamines suppress appetite and speed up weight loss, but they are also highly addictive and can have serious side effects. As a result, amphetamine and its derivatives, such as phentermine and ephedrine, are now tightly controlled substances.
Phentermine is a prescription weight loss medication that is similar to amphetamine. It stimulates the central nervous system, increasing heart rate and blood pressure while decreasing appetite. It is typically prescribed as part of a weight loss plan that includes exercise, calorie restriction, and behaviour modification. Phentermine is generally prescribed for short-term use, usually for 12 weeks or less, and is meant for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher with other risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. It is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance by the DEA due to its potential for abuse and dependence, although the risk is considered relatively low compared to other substances.
Other prescription weight loss medications include bupropion (Wellbutrin), an aminoketone that is prescribed for weight loss and to treat depression. The FDA has also approved several appetite suppressants, such as tirzepatide (Zepbound), liraglutide (Saxenda), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), and phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia). These medications are typically for short-term use and can have side effects such as gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, dizziness, and fatigue.
Despite the health risks associated with amphetamine-like substances, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been criticised for not banning weight-loss pills containing these chemicals. A study published in the medical journal Drug Testing and Analysis found that several supplements available at mass retailers contain beta-methylphenylethylamine (BMPEA), a chemical deemed by Canadian authorities to be similar to amphetamines and a serious health risk. The FDA has stated that these supplements do not pose a specific safety concern, although they will consider taking regulatory action to protect consumers.
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Speed is highly addictive and can cause dependence
Amphetamines, commonly known as "speed", are stimulant drugs that increase alertness and physical activity by speeding up the messages between the brain and body. They are prescribed by healthcare providers to treat health problems such as obesity, narcolepsy, or attention deficit. Speed is also used as a weight-loss supplement, with several weight-loss pills containing speed-like chemicals such as BMPEA, a chemical deemed by Canadian authorities to be a "serious health risk".
While prescription amphetamines taken at the right dosage are not addictive, amphetamines are illegal and highly addictive when used without a prescription to get high or improve performance. This is because addiction means your body and mind are dependent on the drug, and you are unable to control your use of it. You need it to get through daily life. Speed addiction can lead to tolerance, which means that a user needs more and more of the drug to get the same high feeling.
Amphetamine pills were once widely prescribed by doctors in the United States, with about 5% of Americans using prescription amphetamines in 1970. However, undercover journalist Susanna McBee exposed the magnitude of the United States' amphetamine use in 1969, and in 1970, amphetamine became a Schedule III drug. It was later classified as a Schedule II drug, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and is available legally only by prescription.
Phentermine, a drug similar to amphetamine, is also classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance by the DEA because it is a prescription stimulant medication with the potential for abuse and dependence. Phentermine is used to speed up weight loss in overweight people and should be prescribed as part of a weight-loss plan that includes exercise, modifying behavior, and reducing calories.
Methamphetamine, commonly known as "speed", is a potent and addictive central nervous system stimulant. It is chemically related to amphetamine but has greater central nervous system side effects. It is classified as a Schedule II stimulant by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), indicating a high potential for abuse. When abused, it is commonly referred to as "speed", "meth", or "chalk".
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The dangers of injecting speed
Injecting speed is particularly dangerous and can lead to several health issues and other problems. Speed is the street name for amphetamine sulphate, and it is a potent and addictive central nervous system stimulant. Injecting speed can lead to an overdose, which can be fatal. It is much easier to overdose when injecting speed because it is usually very impure, and it is not just the amphetamine that goes into the bloodstream, but also everything else that the drug has been cut with. Speed is often cut with cheaper substances to increase weight and dealer profits, and some of these impurities can be added by mistake. This means that injecting speed can lead to the transmission of blood-borne diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV/AIDS, if needles or other injecting equipment are shared.
Injecting speed can also lead to addiction, with some users becoming addicted quickly. As the pleasurable effects of speed disappear, users may be compelled to use more of the drug to achieve the same high. This can lead to a cycle of abuse, with users taking speed many times over several days, often without food or sleep, in what is known as a "run". Injecting speed can also put a strain on the heart, and it is not advisable for people with high blood pressure or a heart condition to use the drug. Regular use of speed can also lead to problems with learning and concentration, as well as acute psychotic episodes, where the user sees or hears things that are not there and has delusions.
The comedown from speed can last several days, with users often feeling lethargic and sad. Withdrawal symptoms from speed can include depression and anxiety, and these usually reduce after a week and disappear after a month. If you or someone else needs urgent help after taking speed, it is important to call for an ambulance and tell the crew everything you know.
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Frequently asked questions
Speed is a street name for amphetamine, a central nervous system stimulant that affects the release and reuptake of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. Amphetamines have been used in the past as an ingredient in prescription diet pills, but due to their potential for abuse and addiction, they are now classified as controlled substances and are illegal to possess without a valid prescription.
Amphetamines can increase heart rate and blood pressure, leading to serious heart problems such as heart attack, stroke, and arrhythmia. They can also cause various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, and schizophrenia. Speed is highly addictive, and users can quickly develop a dependence on the drug, leading to amphetamine rehab treatment being necessary.
Phentermine is a prescription weight loss medication that is chemically similar to amphetamine. It is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance by the DEA due to its potential for abuse and dependence, although the risk is considered relatively low compared to other substances. It is typically prescribed as part of a weight loss plan that includes exercise, calorie restriction, and behavior modification.
