The potential dangers of taking legal amphetamines have been well documented through the years. According to the Center for Research on Globalization, legal amphetamines were once used to incite rage-driven behavior in combat soldiers on a regular basis. While this is not the case today, the use of legal amphetamines for nonmedical purposes still carries potential dangers.
Amphetamines belong to the stimulant class of narcotic drugs. Narcotics in general carry a high risk for abuse and addiction, which accounts for their classification as controlled substances.
Even when prescribed for medicinal purposes, amphetamines interfere with central nervous system functions. When abused on a frequent basis, these drugs can cause permanent damage to vital brain processes. Once a person becomes addicted to legal amphetamines, it’s all but impossible to recover without getting professional help.
Prescription Amphetamines Classification
Some of the more commonly known legal amphetamines include:
- Strattera
- Ritalin
- Adderall
Drugs included on the controlled substances list carry some risk for abuse and addiction. Prescription amphetamines belong to the Schedule II class of drugs making them the second most addictive class of drugs in existence, according to the University of Maryland.
Legal amphetamines are commonly prescribed to treat narcolepsy, ADHD and depression. People affected by these conditions are less likely to become addicted provided they take the drug as prescribed. Undoubtedly, amphetamine’s addictive effects become most pronounced when abused.
Potency Effects
Abuse of amphetamine drugs – legal or illegal – leads to serious consequences.
When comparing the effects of legal amphetamines with cocaine, amphetamines actually pose more of a danger and inflict considerably more damage than cocaine. While both types of drugs stimulate the body’s central nervous system, amphetamine effects last longer than the effects of cocaine.
When ingested, cocaine stimulates brain neurotransmitter secretions for up to an hour on average, whereas amphetamine effects can last for several hours at a time. The ongoing stimulation of brain chemical processes can cause considerable damage to brain cells and brain structures in general. Over time, users start to see a significant decline in both their physical and psychological health.
Interestingly enough, cocaine belongs to the Schedule I class of drugs making it one of the most addictive drugs on the market. As legal amphetamines are derived from synthetic formulations, it’s possible to derive some medicinal benefits from the drug. However, when abused, users might as well be using a Schedule I class drug considering the addictive effects amphetamines carry.
Brain Damage
Abusing legal amphetamines for prolonged periods places users at risk of developing brain damage. From the first time a person takes amphetamine, the brain readily adapts to the drug’s effects.
Over time, the repeated overstimulation of brain cell processes causes cell structures to deteriorate. This deterioration makes brain cells less sensitive to the drug’s effects. When this happens, users take larger doses of amphetamines to maintain the desired effects from the drug.
Brain cells and structures continue to deteriorate for as long as a person keeps using to the point where brain damage is inevitable. In many cases, this damage becomes permanent making it that much harder to stop using the drug. For these reasons, an amphetamine addiction can be one of the most difficult to overcome.
