Choices in Sports.

Drugs in Sports: Amphetamines

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Table of Contents:

[ General / Adrenergic / Amphetamine ]
[ Ergogenic / Hormones / Steroids ]
[ Over the Counter / Recreational / Related ]

(to top) What are the various forms of amphetamine?
A variety of compounds contain amphetamine substances such as dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), methamphetamine (Desoxyn). Other similar drugs are phenmetrazine (Preludin), methylphenidate (Ritalin). Illegal forms of amphetamine appears as crystals, chunks, and fine to coarse powders, off-white to yellow in color, and supplied loose (in plastic or foil bags) or in capsules or tablets of various sizes and colors. The drug may be sniffed, smoked, injected, or taken orally in tablet or capsule form. Common street names for amphetamines include:

(a red animated arrow motioning and pointing upwards)
  • crystal
  • speed
  • meth
  • bennies
  • dexies
  • uppers
  • pep pills
  • diet pills
  • jolly bean
  • copilots
  • hearts
  • footballs
  • crosstops
  • ice

Amphetamines are sometimes used in combination with other drugs such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, alcohol and heroin (Hall and Hando, 1993). Amphetamine misuse has declined dramatically since the near epidemic between 1950 and 1970. However, there has been a marked increase in the use of such other stimulants as cocaine and "designer" amphetamines that mimic the psychoactive effects of amphetamines - such as methcathinone (CAT), MDMA (Ecstasy), Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), Para methoxymeth- amphetamine, 4-Methylaminorex.

(black and white sketch: old laboratory distiller

(to top) What is the history of amphetamine use?

  • 1887 German pharmacologist L. Edleano synthesized the first amphetamines
  • 1910 amphetamines were tested in laboratory animals
  • 1927, Gordon Alles, a researcher self-administered amphetamine and found that when it was inhaled or taken orally it reduced fatigue, increased alertness, and caused a sense of euphoria
  • 1932 benzedrine, an amphetamine inhaler became available as an over the counter drug until 1949
  • Professional football players started using amphetamines in the 1940s
  • 1938 amphetamines were classified as prescription drugs by the FDA
  • During the Second World War 1939-45, amphetamines were used by the German military during WW II to reduce fatigue. Soldiers on amphetamines were able to walk for longer distances. Soldiers were also able to run longer to the point of exhaustion.
  • 1957 the American Medical Association condemned the use of amphetamines for performance enhancement
  • 1967 about 31 million prescriptions were written for anorexiants (diet pills)
  • 1969 over 13% of American college students had used amphetamines at least once. Throughout the 1960s amphetamines were widely available and were used for weight control.
  • 1970 Controlled Substance Act changed the availability and production of amphetamines
  • 1971 all potent amphetamine nasal inhalers were taken off the market (Wadler and Hainline, 1989; Mottram, 1996; Hanson and Venturelli, 1998).

(to top) How do amphetamines work in the body?
Amphetamine has four mechanisms to produce its effects (Brookes, 1985; Goodman and Gillman 1985):

  • release of neurotransmitter dopamine (DA), serotonin (5HT) and noradrenalin (NA) from their nerve terminals
  • the release of DA by amphetamine is associated with the reversing of the neuronal membrane uptake transporter
  • inhibition of monoamine oxidase activity
  • inhibition of neurotransmitter re-uptake
  • direct action on neurotransmitter receptors

Amphetamines are absorbed from the small intestine. The peak plasma concentration occurs in 1-2 hrs following use. Absorption is usually complete in 2.5-4 hours and is increased by food intake. Amphetamine metabolites are excreted in the urine.

(to top) What are the general effects of amphetamines?
The effects depend on:

  • the amount taken at one time
  • the user's past drug experience
  • the manner in which the drug is taken
  • the circumstances under which the drug is taken
  • the setting in which the drug is taken
  • the user's psychological and emotional stability
  • the simultaneous use of alcohol or other drugs

Amphetamine limits appetite, increases plasma free fatty acid levels and body temperature, has sympathetic effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory functions.

Amphetamines increase alertness and arousal; however, an extended level of arousal may change to anxiety or panic. Amphetamines cause feelings of intense pleasure when taken intravenously. Chronic use can lead to a condition generally called "behavioral stereotypy", or getting hung up. The individual will get caught up in the meaningless repetition of a single activity such as repeatedly cleaning the same object, or taking objects apart.

(to top) What is the approved medical use of amphetamines?
In 1970 the FDA restricted the use of amphetamines to treat narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a condition causing spontaneous sleep episodes, hyperkinetic behavior. Most medical associations do not recommend amphetamines for weight loss. Today, less than 1% of prescriptions are written for amphetamines compared with 8% in 1970.

(to top) What are the effects of amphetamines on athletic performance?
Athletes have used amphetamines to increase alertness and increase excitement for an upcoming event. A study by Goldberg (1981) showed no correlation between subjective feelings of increased alertness in athletes taking amphetamine, or lethargy in subjects who were randomly given a tranquilizer, with any change in reaction time or manipulative skills. None of the athletes knew which drug they were taking. Chandleer and Blair (1980) reported improved athletic performance in knee extension strength, but reported no effect on overall sprint speed. Athletes taking amphetamines may sweat less than normal and be unaware of fatigue, and this may lead to heat stroke during an athletic event.

(to top) Why would student athletes want to use amphetamines?
Student athletes have taken amphetamines to improve mood states, improve confidence, increase alertness and concentration, and increase endurance.

(to top) What are some of the unwanted side effects of amphetamines on athletic performance?
Amphetamine causes blood to flow away from the skin and increase the risk of heat stroke. In 1967 British cyclist Tommy Simpson died from complications from using amphetamine during the Tour de France (Beckett, 1979). The Danish cyclist Knut Jensen died of heat stroke and cardiac arrest during the Olympic Games.

(to top) What are some of the main effects of amphetamines on the body?
Amphetamines increase heart rate and blood pressure, decrease appetite and increase weight loss, increased respiration, increase inability to sleep, increase dry mouth, headache and dizziness, heat intolerance, increase kidney damage, increase the risk for cerebral hemorrhage and seizures. Regular amphetamine use may lead to dependency, irritability, fearfulness (in some cases paranoia) and apprehension, hallucination, and even psychosis. Heavy users of amphetamines may be prone to sudden, violent, and irrational acts, self-centeredness, distortions of perception, and paranoid delusions.