Amphetamine - powerful stimulant drug

Amphetamine was widely prescribed until the mid 1960s as a stimulant and appetite-suppressant, until the dependence-potential of amphetamine (and other stimulants) led to a falling out of favour among the medical profession. Amphetamine, although a controlled drugs, is still prescribable for certain conditions (e.g. narcolepsy)[i], and appears in Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drug Regulations 1985, meaning that it can be prescribed for medical treatment subject to proper monitoring and reporting criteria.

Amphetamine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant drug, used recreationally for the euphoriant effects, as well as "functionally" to ward off fatigue and increase energy and capacity for physical activity. The effects of amphetamine are similar to those of cocaine, both affecting the same neural systems, amphetamine stimulates catecholamine release, and cocaine reduces reuptake - expressed simply, if the level of alertness were to be represented by the water level in a bath, amphetamine would act by turning on the taps, whereas cocaine would act by putting in the plug.

The effects of amphetamine have been studied for over a century, although since it became a controlled drug in most countries of the world, opportunities for research on the effects on humans have been limited.