Amphetamine

One of a large group of synthetic drugs with powerful stimulant action on the central nervous system, which includes many substances exclusively encountered on the illicit market and a large number of drugs with medicinal use.

Amphetamines are most frequently ingested orally, sniffed/snorted, smoked, or injected. Intravenous injection is gaining in popularity worldwide.

They increase breathing and heart rate, lessen appetite and make the pupils widen. Users tend to feel more alert, energetic, confident and cheerful and less bored or tired. With high doses people often experience a rapid flow of ideas and feel they have increased physical and mental powers.

Common street names: “speed”; “ice” and “cat”.