The difference between amphetamine and methamphetamine is evident in their pharmacological effect, although they both belong to the same class of drugs. Some people confuse them despite the clear differences in the pharmaceutical composition and the extent of their danger to the body. In this article, Dalili Medical, we will review the differences between amphetamine and methamphetamine, where we will highlight several points that distinguish each of them.

Is there such a thing as a natural amphetamine?

 

Amphetamines are extracted from a natural plant known as "Ephedra Sinca", which grows in China. This plant was initially used as a treatment for asthma and congestion, as it enhanced physical activity. Over time, the euphoric effects of amphetamine were discovered, which led to its transformation into one of the most famous addictive substances, especially after adding a group of other substances to manufacture different types of drugs.

Can it be detected in a drug test?

 

Narcotic drugs derived from amphetamines can appear in a drug test during the period of amphetamine presence in the blood, which ranges from 4 to 12 hours. Amphetamine can also be detected in urine for a period of one to nine days.

Which is more dangerous?

 

Methamphetamine is more dangerous than amphetamine, as it has a stronger effect and reaches the brain faster, which increases the likelihood of addiction quickly. Methamphetamine is also used more in smoking, which leads to more serious side effects compared to amphetamine taken by swallowing.

Is methamphetamine considered a substitute for amphetamine?

 

Methamphetamine is a derivative of amphetamine and has the same properties, but it is considered an addictive substitute for amphetamine due to its strong effect and long duration of effectiveness on the user.

What is the difference between amphetamine and methamphetamine in the methods of use?

 

Both amphetamine and methamphetamine can be taken by swallowing, injecting, snorting, and smoking. However, the most common way to take amphetamine is to swallow tablets, while smoking methamphetamine is preferred.

Does amphetamine addiction cause impotence?

 

Amphetamine is initially used as a sexual stimulant, but after a short period, users suffer from erectile dysfunction and decreased sexual ability.

How long does amphetamine addiction treatment last?

 

Amphetamine addiction treatment requires a period of 3 to 6 months to completely get rid of the effects and harms of the drug, while some may need a longer period of up to 9 months to fully recover.

What is the difference between the duration of amphetamine and methamphetamine?

 

Methamphetamine has a long-lasting effect and higher toxicity compared to amphetamine, as it crosses the brain barrier faster.

What is amphetamine?

 

Amphetamine is a stimulant that helps stimulate the body, making you feel excited and active. When you take amphetamine, your mood immediately improves, and mental and physical alertness increases. Throughout the ages, amphetamines have been used for medical purposes, and not just for their stimulant effect.

**Which is more dangerous: amphetamine or methamphetamine?**

 

Methamphetamine is considered more dangerous than amphetamine, as it causes significant health and behavioral risks when misused. It leads to addiction very quickly within a short period of time, due to the person's desire to continue feeling euphoric and happy. Long-term addiction to amphetamine can lead to serious health complications, such as psychosis or loss of consciousness, and things may reach the point of death.

**What is methamphetamine?**

 

Methamphetamine is a stimulant derived from amphetamine, and is used in the composition of some medications to treat obesity and other conditions. Methamphetamine addiction has increased recently due to its misuse, and crystal meth is considered one of the most dangerous drugs made from it.

**The difference between amphetamine and methamphetamine in terms of effect and methods of use**

The difference between amphetamine and methamphetamine is evident in their effect, as amphetamine is characterized by a slow effect, while methamphetamine reaches the brain more quickly, which makes it more dangerous. As for the methods of use, they are similar and include swallowing pills, crushing them to inhale them, or dissolving them in a solution and injecting them into the body. The only difference is that methamphetamine may sometimes be found in the form of solid crystals that can be smoked.

**The difference between amphetamine and methamphetamine:**

 

Although both compounds belong to the class of stimulants for the nervous system, there are clear differences between them, including use, form, and their degree of danger.

1. **Amphetamine:**

**Effect:**Amphetamine is a stimulant for the central nervous system, as it works to activate catecholamine hormones located above the adrenal gland. When taken, it leads to the acceleration of nerve signals, which puts the user in a state of hyperactivity and a feeling of euphoria and happiness, as a result of the increased secretion of the hormone dopamine responsible for movement and activity in the body.

**Uses:**Amphetamine is used in the medical field to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and sometimes to treat sleep problems and sudden drowsiness attacks. It can also be used in some cases of obesity to help lose weight.

**Brand names:**Prominent brand names for amphetamines include: Adderall, Dexoquin, Dexedrine, Strattera, and Vivence.

**Form:**Amphetamine is available in the form of white tablets that are taken orally or under the tongue.

**Symptoms of abuse:**

- Feeling of euphoria and happiness.

- Increased activity.

- Excessive talkativeness.

- Dilated pupils.

- Rapid breathing.

- Increased heart rate.

- Insomnia.

- Headache.

- Dry mouth.

- Agitation and violence.

**2. Methamphetamine:**

**Effect:**Methamphetamine is a stimulant of the nervous system, and its composition and effect are derived from amphetamine. However, methamphetamine has a stronger effect compared to amphetamine, as it stimulates the central nervous system more with less effect onTo the peripheral nervous system, resulting in a significant increase in cardiovascular activity. Unlike amphetamine, which indirectly stimulates the central nervous system by stimulating the release of catecholamines and reducing their storage, methamphetamine directly stimulates catecholamines post-synaptically.

**Uses:** Methamphetamine is used in the same medical fields as amphetamine, such as treating hyperactivity, attention deficit, and obesity, and sometimes as a contraceptive. However, it is more abused, as it is traded as a drug among people due to its stronger effective effect.

**Trade name:** Crystal meth, also known as shabu, is the most common name for methamphetamine.

**Form:** Methamphetamine is available in the form of a powder or white or blue crystal granules.

**Symptoms of abuse:** Although amphetamine and methamphetamine cause similar effects and side effects, methamphetamine symptoms are more severe and last longer, and include:

- High temperature that may reach the point of fainting.

- Dry mouth and tooth damage.

- Severe itching leading to facial sores.

- Severe mood swings.

**Amphetamine Uses**Because of its effect on the brain, amphetamine is used by doctors to treat a range of medical conditions, including:

- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

- Narcolepsy, a condition that causes daytime sleepiness.

- Weight loss, but it is rarely used for this purpose.

- Parkinson's disease.

**Methamphetamine Uses**Methamphetamine is used in rare medical conditions, although it is more common in its illegal form. Its medical uses include:

**Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder**

**Obesity Treatment**

**What are the harms of amphetamine and methamphetamine?**

 

Amphetamine abuse leads to many side effects when used excessively, the most prominent of which are:

- High blood pressure

- Increased heart rate

- High body temperature

- Paranoia

- Hypervigilance

- Feeling of euphoria and excitement

- Dry mouth

- Loss of appetite

- Unjustified talk

- Dilated pupils

- Body tremors

- Muscle spasms

- Difficulty breathing

- Headache and nausea

As for methamphetamine addiction, it causes the following damage to the body:

- High body temperature

- Sudden fainting

- Severe itching leading to wounds

- Cracked and broken teeth

- Severe gum inflammation

- Disturbed thinking

- Noticeable changes in behavior and mood

**Causes of amphetamine addiction Methamphetamine**

 

There are many causes of amphetamine and methamphetamine addiction, as genetic and environmental factors interfere with the structure of the brain, which increases the likelihood of addiction. The following is an explanation of these reasons:

**Genetic factors** Individuals with a family history of drug abuse or alcohol consumption tend to be more susceptible to addiction.

**Brain structure** Some studies indicate that there are abnormal changes in the brain structure of some addicts, leading to a malfunction in the functioning of brain circuits or neurotransmitters.

**Environmental factors** An environment that tolerates addiction, in addition to increased psychological stress, exposure to physical or sexual assault, or abuse during childhood, can contribute to an increased risk of addiction.

What medications contain amphetamine?

 

Here is a list of the most important names of common amphetamine medications and their intended medical purposes:

1- **Ritalin**: It is considered one of the most prominent amphetamine medications available in pharmacies, and is used to treat some disorders in children such as poor concentration and poor comprehension. It also helps treat sleep disorders by activating some brain cells.

2- **Adderall**: This medication is used to treat hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder, as it helps children restore the normal rate of nerve and brain growth. It is recommended not to take it without consulting a doctor.

3- **Desoxin**: A medication used as an appetite suppressant and helps reduce weight, but it is only used for short periods. Any increase in doses may lead to serious health complications. It is also used to treat hyperactivity and movement.

4- **Dexedrine**: It is one of the medications that contain amphetamine, and it helps improve mood and treat attention deficit in children. It is preferable not to take it before bedtime because it may cause severe insomnia.

**The difference between amphetamine and methamphetamine in terms of withdrawal symptoms**

Withdrawal symptoms of amphetamine and methamphetamine are a group of health damages that an addict suffers from when suddenly stopping use. The severity and duration of these symptoms vary from one person to another according to many factors such as the period of use, the size of the dose taken, age, weight, overall health, and liver and kidney health. Amphetamine and methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms include the following:

**Amphetamine withdrawal symptoms from the body:**

 

- Excessive sweating.

- Feeling anxious and confused.

- Depression.

- Body tremors.

- Severe pain in various parts of the body.

- Fatigue and general weakness.

- Weakness in memory and concentration.

- Auditory and visual hallucinations.

- Runny nose.

- Suicidal tendencies.

- Increased sexual desire.

- Difficulty speaking.

**Methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms from the body:**

 

- Increased appetite.

- Feeling tired and exhausted.

- Agitation.

- Anxiety.

- Restlessness.

- Nightmares.

- Suicidal thoughts.

- Rapid eye movement.

- Aggressive and violent behavior.

- Excessive sleep.

- Severe headache.

- Muscle and bone pain.

- High blood pressure.

- Rapid heartbeat.

- Convulsions.

- Nausea and vomiting.

- Hallucinations.

- High body temperature.

What are the most prominent medications that contain methamphetamine?

 

Methamphetamine is used in the manufacture of some medical drugs to treat a range of diseases, the most prominent of which are:

1- **Adderall ** This drug increases the secretion of dopamine, which leads to a feeling of alertness and activity, reduces the feeling of fatigue and lethargy, and enhances the person's concentration.

2- **Ritalin** This drug is considered an effective treatment for attention deficit disorder, as it helps improve concentration and reduces the child's movement, making it easier for him to pay attention to what is around him. It is also used to treat excessive sleep in adults.

3- **Zenzidi** It is one of the common drugs for treating behavioral problems, as it enhances concentration and regulates thinking, in addition to treating sleep-related disorders.

**The most prominent countries in which methamphetamine is widespread**

Methamphetamine is a drug that is widespread in some Arab countries, most notably Egypt, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. It has recently been manufactured by mixing it with other substances of unknown origin, some of which are unfit for human consumption.

**Methamphetamine in Morocco:** The countries of the Maghreb suffer from the spread of the drug ice, especially in the northern regions, due to its low cost and ease of local preparation. This has led to a large number of young people taking it, as it is sold in the form of tablets or powder, which makes it easy to smuggle it into the country.

**Methamphetamine in Saudi Arabia:** Synthetic drugs are widely spread in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, especially those derived from methamphetamine. At the beginning of this year, the Saudi authorities were able to thwart an attempt to smuggle more than one and a half million methamphetamine pills.

**How ​​to treat amphetamine and methamphetamine addiction**

 

There are no differences in the treatment plan between amphetamine and methamphetamine, as they both follow the same treatment steps, which include:

1. **Examination and diagnosis:**   This is considered the first stage of treatment, and aims to conduct a comprehensive medical assessment to determine the harms of addiction and choose an appropriate treatment program that is consistent with the health condition of each patient.

2. **Painless detoxification:**   The patient is prevented from taking drugs, and special medications are used to detoxify and alleviate withdrawal symptoms, which makes this process pass without pain or suffering.

3. **Psychotherapy and Behavioral Rehabilitation:**

This stage aims to achieve several goals, including:

- Treating the psychological causes of addiction through individual and group psychotherapy programs.

- Treating accompanying mental illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia, hallucinations, and paranoia.

- Bringing about a comprehensive change in the patient's negative behaviors and replacing them with positive behaviors through cognitive behavioral rehabilitation programs.

4. **Social Rehabilitation and Avoiding Relapse:** At this stage, the patient is trained on how to live without drugs, and deal with stress and difficult situations calmly, instead of running away from them.