Amphetamines are stimulant medications. Amphetamine stimulates the central nervous system by increasing the amounts of certain chemicals in the body, and can be useful in treating attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy, according to the Mayo Clinic. Because of their ability to increase metabolism, drugs containing amphetamine have also been used for weight loss. Prescription drugs that contain amphetamine include Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphetamines are also popular recreational drugs, with street names such as "speed" and "crank."
Mental Changes
Amphetamines cause numerous possible psychological side effects that can alter a person's mental status. According to Drugs.com, examples of such side effects include hallucinations, confusion and abnormal behavior.
Anxiety
Because amphetamines are stimulant drugs, they increase people's energy levels. Some of that energy can be misdirected, causing nervousness and anxiety. According to the Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Internal Medicine, patients taking amphetamine medications often feel jittery and restless.
Abdominal Discomfort
Amphetamines slow down the muscles that push food through the digestive system. According to MayoClinic.com, people taking those medications can develop constipation. Along with the constipation, the decreased movement of food through the bowels can also cause abdominal discomfort, bloating and nausea.
Headache
People taking amphetamines can develop headaches as drug side effects, according to Drugs.com. Along with headaches, they can also experience dizziness. The symptoms can occur at nighttime, and so people taking amphetamines can also develop insomnia.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Amphetamine
- "Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Internal Medicine"; Marc Sabatine; 2007
- Drugs.com: Amphetamine
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