Amphetamine, is a synthetic drug which is a phenylisopropylamine. Chemists often use the term "amphetamine class" to describe chemicals that are structurally similar (and often similar in effect as well) to amphetamine--namely, chemicals with an ethyl backbone, terminal phenyl and amine groups, and a methyl group adjacent to the phenyl.

Structure

History *During World War II, amphetamines were widely used by military personnel to keep the fighting men going, prescribed as an anti-fatigue pill.

Physiological & psychological effects At low doses: Euphoria & awakefulness are accompanied by a sense of power & well-being.

At higher doses: *Restlessness,agitation. *acute psychosis may occur, accompained by tachycardia. *Prolonged muscular hyperactivity can cause dehydration & hypotension. *Seizures & muscular hyperactivity may contribute to hyperthermia & rhabdomyolysis. *Body temp as high as 42°C have been recorded. Hyperthermia can cause brain damage, hypotension, coagulopathy & renal failure.

For short term use: *decreased appetite *increased stamina and physical energy. *increased sexual drive/response, *alertness. *euphoria. *increased concentration, rapid talking, increased confidence, increased social responsiveness, *nystagmus (eye wiggles), hallucinations. *loss of REM sleep (dreaming). *involuntary bodily movements. *increased perspiration. *hyperactivity *jitteriness, nausea, itchy, blotchy or greasy skin, increased heart rate, irregular heart rate, and headaches.

Long-term abuse or overdose effects: Including tremor, restlessness, changed sleep patterns, poor skin condition, hyperreflexia, tachypnea, gastrointestinal narrowing, and weakened immune system. Fatigue and depression can follow the excitement stage. Erectile dysfunction, heart problems, stroke, and liver, kidney and lung damage can result from prolonged use. When snorted, amphetamine can lead to a deterioration of the lining of the nostrils.

Ecstasy MDMA -methylenedioxy-N- methylamphetamine) is anempathogenic drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine cla sses of drugs. MDMA has become widely known as "ecstasy"methylenedioxy methylamphetamineempathogenicphenethylamineamphetaminecla sses of drugs

Chemistry

Amanita muscaria "Fly Agaric" Amanita muscaria is a color variant of Amanita muscaria. Amanita muscaria can be white, yellow, red, orange or even brown. The book Alice in Wonderland was written by Lewis Carroll after he had experimented with Amanita muscaria and the changes in size and time perception described in Alice in Wonderland are characteristic effects of the mushroom intoxication.

Amanita muscaria Siberian tribesmen valued Amanita muscaria for its effects and would even trade a prized reindeer for one or two dried specimens. When they urinated on the ground an hour after eating the mushrooms, the reindeer would come for the salt in the yellow snow and become intoxicated, clueing poorer tribesmen to capture the urine for their own intoxication. The common name "Fly Agaric" refers to the fact that in the Middle Ages Europeans learned that the mushroom crushed in a saucer of milk would attract flies that would become stupefied and drown. In some parts of the world, Amanita muscaria is still used as an insecticide.

A. muscaria

Effects Amanita muscaria, is one of the seIt induces muscle spasms, dizziness (and vomiting, if too many mushrooms have been eaten), then a deep sleep, full of fantastic dreams, lasting about 2 hours. On waking, the subject usually experiences a 'good trip': a feeling of elation that persists for several hours. People often become hyperactive, making compulsive and uncoordinated movements, perhaps talking non-stop, and having altered perceptions of reality. Occasionally the experience is a 'downer.' Clearly, Amanita muscaria contains a substance that specifically affects the central nervous system.

Ibotenic acid, a prodrug of Muscimol

Psilocybin mushrooms Also known as psychedelic mushrooms, are mushrooms that contain the psychedelic drugs psilocybin and psilocin.mushroomspsychedelic drugspsilocybinpsilocin About 40 species are found in the genus Psilocybe. Psilocybe cubensis and P. mexicna are the most common psilocybin mushroom used and abused.

P.mexicana

Effects As with other psychedelics such as LSD, the experience, or "trip", is strongly dependent upon set and setting. A negative environment could induce a bad trip, whereas a comfortable and familiar environment would allow for a pleasant experience. Many users find it preferable to ingest the mushrooms with friends, people with whom they are familiar, or people who are also 'tripping'.psychedelicsLSDset and settingbad trip