14 The Encyclopedia of Addictive Drugs
sulting from such needle work. Federal authorities placed new restrictions on
these stimulants during the 1960s. Varieties available from drugstores de-
clined, as did physicians’ ability to prescribe them. The 31 million prescrip-
tions made in 1967 comprise a number never equaled since.
Amphetamines stimulate the central nervous system (the brain and associ-
ated anatomy). At one time evidence of damage to nerve cells was not clear
enough to satisfy some credible researchers that such a hazard exists, despite
any theoretical reasons for concern, but in the 1990s evidence was becoming
persuasive. Among other things, researchers have found that persons who
continually abuse amphetamines and persons with a certain type of organic
brain injury (“focal damage to orbitofrontal PFC [prefrontal cortex]”) have
similar problems in making decisions.^4 Severity correlates to length of am-
phetamine abuse. Nonprescription sales have long been banned in Sweden
due to kidney system damage, and amphetamines are suspects in liver dam-
age involving hepatitis. Amphetamines also excite the heart, increasing pulse
rate and blood pressure. Normally cardiac effects are unharmful but can be
risky at high doses. To a lesser extent, amphetamines help to open air path-
ways in the lungs while stimulating breathing. A less welcome action can be
promotion of muscle and vocal tics, causing users to jerk or cry out uncon-
trollably. This problem, however, applies more to persons already troubled
by tic afflictions than to persons having no such disability. Amphetamines can
also cause rashes or hives. Libido can also change, perhaps involving a
stronger sex drive, perhaps involving impotence.
Various foods and drugs can interact with amphetamines. Vitamin C and
fruit juices lessen amphetamine effects, while common stomach antacid prep-
arations increase them. Amphetamines can boost actions of widely prescribed
psychological medicines called tricyclic antidepressants, an interaction also
affecting heart action. Amphetamines can counteract medicines intended to
control high blood pressure and can also release extra noradrenaline hormone
that is stored in the bodies of people taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors
(MAOIs, found in some antidepressants and some Parkinson’s disease medi-
cation). That release can raise blood pressure enough to create headaches
while simultaneously raising body temperature enough to kill a person. The
danger of MAOI interaction is far less with oral amphetamine dosage than
with intravenous injection, and some medical practitioners have simultane-
ously prescribed oral forms of amphetamine and MAOI drugs, believing that
probable benefits outweigh possible risks. Lithium carbonate, a medicine used
to control manic behavior, can reduce central nervous stimulation caused by
amphetamines.
Psychological effects vary. In addition to results that many persons would
find attractive (noted above), users can also become grouchy, jittery, unable
to sleep, and suspicious of other persons. Someone highly intoxicated on am-
phetamines can act mixed up and pugnacious, be frightened, and have hal-
lucinations. This type of drug promotes impulsive actions—not a good
consequence if a user is angry and afraid. Overindulgence can leave a person
tired, peevish, confused, and depressed when the drug session ends. A serious
abuser can develop symptoms duplicating schizophrenia.
Over time some abusers feel a need to increase dosages in order to get the