Amphetamines and methamphetamines have played a significant role in medicine, military history, and popular culture for more than a century, leaving a lasting mark on how societies understand and regulate drugs. From their early use in hospitals and laboratories to widespread distribution on battlefields and streets, these powerful substances have influenced medical practice and social behavior. Their reputation has shifted dramatically over time—from celebrated stimulants to controlled substances fraught with controversy. In this overview, we’ll explore their rise to prominence, the various ways they have been used, and the current landscape surrounding these potent drugs.
The Origins and Early Discovery of Amphetamines
The story starts in the late 1800s, when a Romanian chemist named Lazar Edeleanu first synthesized amphetamine in 1887. Funny enough, he didn’t have any idea just how stimulating the compound would turn out to be for humans. The real kick came later, when scientists in the 1930s searched for ways to treat conditions like asthma and nasal congestion. They rediscovered amphetamine, and things got rolling quickly.
By the 1930s, amphetamine was hitting pharmacy shelves in forms like Benzedrine inhalers in the United States. These over-the-counter inhalers were sold to help people breathe more easily if they had stuffy noses or asthma attacks. Users quickly discovered that the effects went far beyond clear sinuses; they brought alertness, increased energy, and sometimes euphoria. Others began to check out the drug’s ability to keep them awake during long drive times, cramming for exams, or working night shifts.
Medical and Military Uses: Amphetamines Spread Widely
Amphetamines weren’t limited to treating coughs or asthma for long. Doctors began prescribing them for narcolepsy, obesity, depression, and even attention problems. During World War II, governments gave amphetamines to millions of soldiers on both sides to keep them awake and focused during long missions. This practice introduced lots of people to the drug’s mood-boosting and performance-enhancing effects.
- Narcolepsy and ADHD: Doctors realized that people with narcolepsy (who struggle to stay awake) could really benefit from amphetamines’ wakefulness boost. Children with what we now diagnose as ADHD were often prescribed amphetamines to help them focus on school.
- Weight Loss: Amphetamines were one of the original diet pills. They acted as appetite suppressants, and prescriptions jumped from the 1950s through the 1970s for people hoping to drop a few pounds. Their reputation as a shortcut to weight loss grew stronger due to their presence among Hollywood stars and pop culture, making them both trendy and risky.
- Military Use: Reports suggest that during World War II, an estimated 200 million amphetamine pills were handed out to Allied troops. The purpose was to keep soldiers sharp during combat, long flights, or late-night operations.
The wide range of use turned amphetamines into household names and made them easy to access. However, as recreational use and addiction followed their widespread adoption, problems started becoming clear.
The Arrival of Methamphetamine: Synthesis, Uses, and Rise
Methamphetamine is a chemical sibling to amphetamine: stronger, more potent, and even longer lasting. Japanese chemist Nagai Nagayoshi first made methamphetamine in 1893, but it wasn’t until 1919 that Akira Ogata produced crystallized methamphetamine. This powerful crystalline form (the base of today’s illicit “crystal meth”) changed how people experienced stimulants.
- Medical Beginnings: Like amphetamine, methamphetamine originally had real medical uses. It was marketed under brand names like Methedrine and Desoxyn for weight loss, depression, and narcolepsy, and was even used to treat hay fever.
- World War II Again: Methamphetamine was known as Pervitin in Nazi Germany; sometimes called “tank chocolate.” Soldiers, pilots, and even civilian workers took Pervitin to fight fatigue.
- Postwar Popularity: After the war, methamphetamine use surged in Japan. It became a widely used street drug among workers and students who wanted to stay up late to study or work.
From Miracle Drug to Widespread Abuse
The initial “miracle drug” glow for both amphetamines and methamphetamines faded. By the 1960s and 70s, reports of widespread addiction, adverse effects on mental health, and illegal use took center stage. Prescription pills ended up on the black market. By this time, “bennies” (Benzedrine), “speed,” and “uppers” became slang you’d hear around music scenes, among students, and in working-class neighborhoods. Famous musicians and celebrities were open about using these drugs, and they gained a reputation in the youth counterculture and music movements.
- Addictive Properties: It became clear that some people could go from using amphetamines for a pick-me-up to needing them to make it through a typical day. Withdrawal symptoms, including tiredness, depression, and severe cravings, made quitting a challenge.
- Illicit Labs: Once regulations got tough, underground chemists started producing both amphetamine and methamphetamine outside of legal boundaries. Products grew stronger and risks rose.
- Regulatory Changes: In 1970, the United States passed the Controlled Substances Act, putting heavy controls on the prescription and manufacture of both amphetamines and methamphetamines. Other countries also created controlled drug lists and new rules to lower rates of abuse.
Modern Medical Uses and Ongoing Controversies
Despite their complicated past, amphetamines and methamphetamines still play a role in today’s medicine. The big difference today is strict regulation and the expectation of responsible prescribing.
- ADHD Treatment: Medications like Adderall and Vyvanse are prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. When taken as directed, they can genuinely help people focus and function. Methamphetamine is still FDA-approved as Desoxyn for severe ADHD and obesity, though it is rarely prescribed due to stigma and potential for abuse.
- Careful Regulation: Doctors now carefully monitor prescriptions, and pharmacies use digital systems to prevent people from doctor shopping or obtaining multiple scripts. Regular check-ins are standard to help spot any possible misuse early.
- Illicit Use: Sadly, methamphetamine as a street drug continues to cause considerable problems in several parts of the world. Homemade labs, biker groups, and extensive international networks have made “meth” infamous for its devastating effects.
Physical and Psychological Effects You Should Know About
If you’re unfamiliar with these drugs, it’s essential to recognize their effects on the human body, as well as the risks involved.
- Short-term effects: Increased energy, alertness, reduced appetite, and a feeling of confidence. These boosts are part of why they’re effective for narcolepsy or ADHD patients, but also why they’re tempting for recreation.
- Long Term Effects: Routine or heavy use may cause anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, heart problems, and dental damage (especially “meth mouth”).
- Addiction: Both amphetamines and methamphetamines have a high potential for addiction. Users may build a tolerance, needing larger doses to feel any effect, leading to severe mental and physical health problems over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few things folks often want to know about amphetamines and methamphetamines:
Question: Are amphetamines and methamphetamines different?
Answer: Amphetamine and methamphetamine are closely related chemicals, but methamphetamine acts faster and has a longer, more intense high. Both are stimulants and have similar risks.
Question: Do doctors still prescribe these drugs?
Answer: Yes, but only for specific medical conditions like ADHD and narcolepsy, and under strict rules to prevent misuse or addiction.
Question: If these drugs are so risky, why are they used for ADHD?
Answer: When used at carefully controlled doses under a doctor’s close supervision, amphetamines help many people manage focus and attention. Abuse usually means taking much larger, unregulated doses or using the drugs in ways not approved by doctors.
Everyday Lessons and Looking Ahead
The adventure of amphetamines and methamphetamines shows how drugs can move from being cutting-edge discoveries to becoming public health concerns—sometimes both at once. Their story highlights the ongoing need to balance real medical benefits with the risks of abuse and addiction. For me, learning about their history sheds light on the super strict prescription rules in place now, and why it’s so important to have honest, understanding conversations around drugs, addiction, and recovery instead of stigma or blame.
If you want to learn more about these drugs, track down informational sources like the NIH’s Methamphetamine Research Report or check out trusted health information from the Mayo Clinic to ensure you’re fully informed about risks, uses, and safe practices.