Overload
Amphetamines and stimulants
Category: Medicines
Type
Involuntary and voluntary
Introduction and description
Amphetamines and stimulants speed you up. This is why the nickname for some of the drugs in this category is ‘Speed’. In simplified terms they act on your sympathetic nervous system in a form of simulated flight or fight response. They keep you awake, they are supposed to help you with fatigue – enabling you to carry on long after you would have otherwise dropped from exhaustion.
They don’t improve your mental capabilites, but it seems like they do, because you feel like you’re thinking twice as fast.
They decrease your appetite for food principally because the sympathetic nervous system makes sure we are releasing glucose ready for the 'fight or flight' response, not wanting it. Generally speaking we will also suffer urinary retention and constipation, because the fight or flight response is geared towards us not wanting a wee during our confrontation with a dinosaur!
They make the heart beat faster ready for this non existent flight or fight we are preparing ourselves for. There is bronchodilation so that we can get the oxygen we need to our muscles ready for the flight and the blood vessels may be dilated so that the glucose needed to help us fight or flight is ready for muscle action. This action depends a little on ambient temperature.
Many of the substances within this class are banned and illegal. But amongst them are – rather surprisingly – quite a large number of legal pharmaceuticals that are supposed to help with obesity and ADHD and narcolepsy plus other odd things, like excessive cold.
These types of stimulant I have also covered in their own sections as pharmaceuticals – obesity, ADHD and narcolepsy for example, as well as here to show their multiple lives.
The drugs are largely the same – whatever they are used for and whether legal or not, so this whole area is hugely confusing, many drugs prescribed by doctors for one complaint get used off label for another and many misprescribed to people end up being resold on the ‘recreational user’ market.
If the observations are any indicator, it is the mis-prescription that fuels the recreational market.
Background
Stimulants and glucose - The sympathetic nervous system produces glucose from stores in the liver and only takes it back again when we relax, as such prolonged use of stimulants results in glucose swishing round our blood stream for a long time. Over time all this unnecessary glucose we aren't using can turn into an irritant producing hardening of the arteries – endothelial dysfunction and high blood pressure. Stress has the same effects as stimulants do. In the worse case scenario it can lead to diabetes.
Stimulants and heat - if you are not actually running or active, stimulants make you hot. Not hot sexy – hot! In fact they are the very opposite of sexy hot, because one side effect can be erectile dysfunction. In fight or flight mode the last thing you need is an erection. The so called heat of the mystic is in some cases simply a reaction to stimulation!
Releasing agents and reuptake inhibitors - Amphetamines and stimulants are but one type of drug within the overall Releasing agent class. Not all amphetamines are exclusively RAs, some are reuptake inhibitors. The defining action however is that they work via adrenaline and its ligands.
Releasing agents are hostile agents in our bodies. They do all sorts of damage to the cells which can lead to cell death. There is a list as long as your arm in Meyler's side effects of drugs of the appalling side effects both long and short term to your health. Furthermore, the effects of these drugs gradually becomes less – the body adjusts to the increase in chemicals and reduces the number of receptors over time, as such you need more and more and more to get any effect – and the destruction continues. So you become addicted.
Some of these drugs also affect our stores of dopamine, serotonin and so on, as such withdrawal symptoms can be ferocious.
More details on the effects can be found in the section Serotonin imbalance, which I urge you to read.
EHealthme information
If we take a drug like methamphetamine prescribed for depression, ADHD, and fatigue these are the Most common side effects by gender :
Female | Male |
Drug Toxicity | Drug Abuse |
Drug Abuse | Cardiac Arrest |
Completed Suicide | Respiratory Arrest |
Cardio-respiratory Arrest | Overdose |
Cardiac Arrest | Substance Abuse |
Respiratory Arrest | Completed Suicide |
Pulmonary Oedema | Cardio-respiratory Arrest |
Pulmonary Congestion | Drug Toxicity |
Hepatitis C | Aggression |
Accidental Death | Suicide Attempt |
Death
If we now look at the ultimate spiritual experience of all - death - and again using the figures on eHealthme calculated from ADRs from doctors submitted to the FDA and SEDA, we have the following:
Dexedrine - On Aug, 7, 2015: 1,454 people reported to have side effects when taking Dexedrine. Among them, 3 people (0.21%) have Death
Adderall [exclding the various alternative formulations] - On Jul, 29, 2015: 11,425 people reported to have side effects when taking Adderall. Among them, 77 people (0.67%) have Death
Vyvanse - On Aug, 14, 2015: 5,708 people reported to have side effects when taking Vyvanse. Among them, 30 people (0.53%) have Death
Methamphetamine hydrochloride - On Aug, 23, 2015: 688 people reported to have side effects when taking Methamphetamine hydrochloride. Among them, 32 people (4.65%) have Death
Desoxyn - On Jul, 26, 2015: 399 people reported to have side effects when taking Desoxyn. Among them, 17 people (4.26%) have Death
Phentermine - On Aug, 2, 2015: 11,038 people reported to have side effects when taking Phentermine. Among them, 42 people (0.38%) have Death
Adipex - On Aug, 16, 2015: 1,392 people reported to have side effects when taking Adipex-p. Among them, 9 people (0.65%) have Death
Ionamin - On Aug, 23, 2015: 2,404 people reported to have side effects when taking Ionamin. Among them, 15 people (0.62%) have Death
Fastin - On Aug, 23, 2015: 2,090 people reported to have side effects when taking Fastin. Among them, 4 people (0.19%) have Death
Armodafinil - On Aug, 14, 2015: 634 people reported to have side effects when taking Armodafinil. Among them, 13 people (2.05%) have Death
Modafinil - On Jul, 28, 2015: 1,759 people reported to have side effects when taking Modafinil. Among them, 46 people (2.62%) have Death
Provigil - On Aug, 5, 2015: 9,435 people reported to have side effects when taking Provigil. Among them, 143 people (1.52%) have Death
Methylphenidate - On Jul, 30, 2015: 438 people reported to have side effects when taking Methylphenidate hydrochloride. Among them, 15 people (3.42%) have Death
Concerta - On Aug, 12, 2015: 8,757 people reported to have side effects when taking Concerta. Among them, 57 people (0.65%) have Death
Ritalin - On Jul, 25, 2015: 9,724 people reported to have side effects when taking Ritalin. Among them, 132 people (1.36%) have Death
Strattera - On Aug, 1, 2015: 18,443 people reported to have side effects when taking Strattera. Among them, 62 people (0.34%) have Death
Amphetamine - On Aug, 10, 2015: 100 people reported to have side effects when taking Amphetamine sulfate. Among them, 5 people (5.00%) have Death
How it works
Why do the amphetamines produce hallucinations?
Generally speaking they don’t.
Stimulants taken at moderate levels simply stimulate you and stimulation does not give you a spiritual experience.
However if you overdose, people get hallucinations and near death experiences, as well as out of body experiences via over-stimulation caused by overdose of the neurotransmitters.
Occasionally the hallucinations are caused simply by sleep deprivation and mental exhaustion.
It should be noted that overdosing on these classes of drugs results in permanent brain damage . You can become permanently psychotic [and aggressive].
Chronic methamphetamine (MA) use can lead to white matter (WM) changes and increased levels of aggression. While previous studies have examined WM abnormalities relating to cognitive impairment, associations between WM integrity and aggression in MA dependence remain unclear. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) was used to investigate WM changes in 40 individuals with MA dependence and 40 matched healthy controls. …. A relationship of WM with aggression scores from the Buss & Perry Questionnaire was investigated. Mean scores for anger (p < 0.001), physical aggression (p = 0.032) and total aggression (p = 0.021) were significantly higher in the MA group relative to controls. …
This study provides evidence of frontal WM changes and increased levels of aggression in individuals with MA dependence. The lack of significant associations between WM and aggressive behaviour may reflect methodological issues in measuring such behaviour, or may indicate that the neurobiology of aggression is not simply correlated with WM damage but is more complex. PMID: 26671551
Again,a little reminder
Most common Amphetamine sulfate side effects [eHealthme]:
- Completed Suicide in Amphetamine sulfate (6 reports)
- Death in Amphetamine sulfate (5 reports)
- Drug Abuse in Amphetamine sulfate (4 reports)
- Drug Abuse And Dependence in Amphetamine sulfate (4 reports)
- Cardiac Arrest in Amphetamine sulfate (4 reports)
- Breathing - Slowed Or Stopped in Amphetamine sulfate (4 reports)
- Dizziness in Amphetamine sulfate (3 reports)
- High Blood Pressure in Amphetamine sulfate (3 reports)
- Weight Increased in Amphetamine sulfate (3 reports)
- Poisoning Deliberate in Amphetamine sulfate (3 reports)
References and further reading
Frontal white matter changes and aggression in methamphetamine dependence. - Lederer K1, Fouche JP1,2, Wilson D1, Stein DJ1, Uhlmann A3.Observations
The summary table using the figures from the eHealthme web site, shown below, needs to be read with some caution.
The constant renaming of drugs and the multiple classification of the same drug can mean that there is duplication, even though the number of hallucinations appears to be different.
I think the compilers of the eHealthme site had as much difficulty as I did when trying to sort out this!
Not all amphetamines and stimulants are shown, this is representative, other drugs are listed within their respective classes.
The link takes you to the eHealthme site where all the side effects of these drugs can be seen. If the link does not work it may be because the drug has been discontinued, or it has been withdrawn from the market or it has been renamed - a not uncommon occurrence. The constant renaming of drugs and reintroduction of drugs under new names, makes it very difficult for any doctor to establish the historical effects and trends. A cynic might say this is deliberate.
Medicine |
Total number of hallucinations |
34 |
|
149 |
|
91 |
|
3 |
|
24 |
|
23 |
|
25 |
|
2 |
|
2 |
|
1 |
|
49 |
|
50 |
|
6 |
|
4 |
|
146 |
|
284 |
|
154 |
|
0 | |
883 |
Related observations
Healing observations
- Defragmentation and Factory Restore Ibogaine; TA extract of iboga by Morninggloryseed 017438
- Heavy metal poisoning and learning difficulties in children from Brazil 013085
- Music therapy – Tony, amphetamine abuse, schizophrenia and the power of music 022464
- Saved from Addiction Ibogaine by Lightofiboga 017439
- Therapeutics Education Collaboration - Bohemian Polypharmacy 012489
- Youtube video - Ibogaine: Rite of Passage (2004) 017456
Hallucination
- A 9-state analysis of designer stimulant, "bath salt," hospital visits reported to poison control centers 017506
- A Disaster Waiting to Happen DPT by Becca 017531
- A Hell of a Drug – MDPV pyrovalerone - Rush/Electric 017875
- Abuse of BRON cough medicine 012136
- Abuse of codeine-containing cough syrups: a report from India 012138
- Acute health problems due to recreational drug use in patients presenting to an urban emergency department in Switzerland 017418
- Adderall 001513
- Adipex 016925
- Adrafinill 005439
- Amphetamine & Dextroamphetamine [including Dexedrine, Adderall and Vyvanse] 005757
- Amphetamine Salt Combo and Amphetamine sulfate 017995
- Amphetamines, anorexia and death 012797
- Armodafinil and Nuvigil 005438
- Australian energy drink hallucinations 005574
- Az - An Experience with Secobarbital (Seconal), Phenobarbital (Nembutal) & Amphetamines 012202
- Bath salts 005762
- Bath salts analysis 005808
- Bath salts, plant foods and hallucinations 005791
- Benzphetamine 018036
- Brain injury associated with widely abused amphetamines: neuroinflammation, neurogenesis and blood-brain barrier 023922
- Bupropion 017329
- Caffeine citrate 018137
- Captagon 005806
- Cash, Johnny – Goes out of body from amphetamine and barbiturate withdrawal 025916
- Cash, Johnny – The effects of amphetamine addiction 025854
- Children given beta blockers for ADHD have nightmares 012272
- Clinical review: Major consequences of illicit drug consumption 006854
- Cocaine 005764
- Desoxyn 016924
- Dexedrine 016922
- Dextroamphetamine as Dexedrine EROWID experience 005435
- Domestic abuse of the European rave drug prolintane 017827
- DPT Disaster DPT by armurr 017530
- Eden, Anthony - Delusions paranoia and hallucinations from prescription medication 026847
- Emergency department visits after use of a drug sold as "bath salts" 016551
- Ephedrine 005514
- Ephedrine from eHealthme 016928
- Fastin 016927
- Focalin and Dexmethylphenidate 024001
- Hallucinations from 'Bath salts' and water 006889
- Hallucinations in a toddler 012998
- Heavy metal poisoning and learning difficulties in children from Brazil 013085
- Herbal supplements and ephedrine 005792
- High Hitler: how Nazi drug abuse steered the course of history 027403
- Hitler's Medicine Cabinet 026846
- Hitler, Adolf - cocaine and strychnine 001448
- Hobson, Dr Allan - The effects of a stroke 05 - Imaginary reptiles conjured up by his drug-soaked thalamus 014252
- I EXPERIENCED A PANIC ATTACK THAT MADE ME WANT TO GET OUT OF MY BODY AND KILL MYSELF 020866
- Intense Sadness and Analyzing My Personality - DOI & Various by Psychedelic*Dreamer 016876
- Ionamin 016926
- Ironside, Robin - Street violinist at Victoria Station 018243
- Khat 005804
- Meeting Morrison and God on the Moon by Rhythm King 014812
- Methamphetamine [crystal meth] 005758
- Methemphetamine psychosis 005441
- Methemphetamines and periodontitis 006252
- Methylphenidate intoxication: somnolence as an uncommon clinical symptom and proof of overdosing by increased serum levels of ritalinic acid 017507
- Modafinil and Provigil 005434
- Neurotoxicity of substituted amphetamines: molecular and cellular mechanisms 005810
- Northera 024111
- Novafed 019710
- Novamine 15 019713
- Pemoline 001516
- Phentermine 005759
- Prescription drug abuse in the US Army 012134
- Project MKUltra 023388
- Psychiatric disturbance and sexually transmitted diseases among gay and bisexual men 013021
- Ramon Medina Silva - False peyote and hordenine 005797
- Ritalin 001515
- Sanorex 020019
- Saved from Addiction Ibogaine by Lightofiboga 017439
- Selegiline Eldepryl, Emsam and Zelapar 001533
- Strattera 001511
- Suddenly, I Was Seeing Bugs Everywhere by Xenoc 005437
- Tripp, Peter 001037
- Voluntary self destruction on Adderall 005802
- Vyvanse 001514
- Vyvanse 016923
Wisdom, Inspiration, Divine love & Bliss
- Canned Heat - Amphetamine Annie 026819
- Cash, Johnny - Cocaine Blues 025914
- Defragmentation and Factory Restore Ibogaine; TA extract of iboga by Morninggloryseed 017438
- Ironside, Robin - Street violinist at Victoria Station 018243
- PubMed paper - Creativity, alcohol and drug abuse: the pop icon Jim Morrison 011298
- Saved from Addiction Ibogaine by Lightofiboga 017439
Out of time
- Cash, Johnny – Goes out of body from amphetamine and barbiturate withdrawal 025916
- Defragmentation and Factory Restore Ibogaine; TA extract of iboga by Morninggloryseed 017438
- DPT Disaster DPT by armurr 017530
- Intense Sadness and Analyzing My Personality - DOI & Various by Psychedelic*Dreamer 016876
- Meeting Morrison and God on the Moon by Rhythm King 014812
- Project MKUltra 023388
- Ramon Medina Silva - False peyote and hordenine 005797
- Saved from Addiction Ibogaine by Lightofiboga 017439
- Youtube video - Ibogaine: Rite of Passage (2004) 017456
In time
- A Disaster Waiting to Happen DPT by Becca 017531
- Cocaine 005764
- Danielou, Alain – On drugs you are possessed by the spirit being of the drug 022582
- Defragmentation and Factory Restore Ibogaine; TA extract of iboga by Morninggloryseed 017438
- Hobson, Dr Allan - The effects of a stroke 05 - Imaginary reptiles conjured up by his drug-soaked thalamus 014252
- Intense Sadness and Analyzing My Personality - DOI & Various by Psychedelic*Dreamer 016876
- Ironside, Robin - Street violinist at Victoria Station 018243
- Meeting Morrison and God on the Moon by Rhythm King 014812
- Methemphetamine psychosis 005441
- PiHKAL - GANESHA - Closed eye visuals 011649
- PiHKAL - Taking TOM 006476
- Project MKUltra 023388
- Sacks, Oliver - If only I could go back sometimes and be a dog again! 011077
- Saved from Addiction Ibogaine by Lightofiboga 017439
- Tripp, Peter 001037
- Voluntary self destruction on Adderall 005802
- Youtube video - Ibogaine: Rite of Passage (2004) 017456
Other observations
- 'Geranium oil' 005809
- Amphetamines, stimulants, erectile and sexual dysfunction 005803
- Analysis of anonymous pooled urine from portable urinals in central London confirms the significant use of novel psychoactive substances 020871
- Believably unbelievable 005702
- Bitter orange and hordenine 005798
- Dexedrine addiction 005440
- Narcolepsy cocktail 005432
- Nonnatural deaths among users of illicit drugs: pathological findings and illicit drug abuse stigmata 015591
- Norwegian teenager 005801
- Sacks, Oliver - If only I could go back sometimes and be a dog again! 011077
- Sudafed - deaths 017475