Amphetamines speed up messages between the brain and the body. They can make you feel alert or agitated.
Speed is a common name for amphetamines.
Amphetamines can come as powder, crystals or pills that people:
- swallow - as a pill, mixed in drinks or wrapped in cigarette paper (speedbomb)
- dab on the gums
- snort
- inject
The colour of speed can vary. But it is often off-white, pink or yellow. Another type called base speed can be a grey or pink paste.
Drug category: stimulant
Stimulants speed up messages between the brain and body. They can make you feel alert or energetic. But they can also cause anxiety, paranoia and heart problems.
Other names for amphetamines
Other names include: amphetamine sulphate, base, billy, paste, phet, speed, sulph, upper, whizz
Effects of amphetamines
The effects of amphetamines can vary depending on:
- your size, weight and sex
- if you have any health conditions or mental health difficulties
- how you take the drug
- the strength of the drug
- how much you take
- if you take alcohol, medicines or other drugs at the same time
- where you take the drug and how you feel before you take it
- if you have taken the drug before and how often
The effects can start within 20 minutes and can last for 4 to 6 hours.
How you may feel or behave
You may feel:
- exhilarated or energetic
- confident
- talkative
- agitated or restless
- anxious
- aggressive
You may also feel a strong urge to take more.
Effects on your brain and body
Amphetamines can cause:
- increased heart rate and blood pressure
- dry mouth
- diarrhoea
- problems peeing
- flushed skin, increased sweating or overheating
- headaches
- teeth grinding or jaw clenching
- loss of appetite - this can affect your health and energy levels over time
- problems sleeping
- itchy skin
- increased sex drive
- hallucinations - you may see, hear or feel things that are not there
- nose damage - if you snort it often
- vein damage - if you inject it
- problems with your teeth and gums - if you use it often
Amphetamines and mental health
Regular use or high doses of amphetamines can lead to:
- anxiety
- depression
- mood swings or aggression
- paranoia
- psychosis - you have confused thoughts, feelings and behaviour and you do not know what is real or not real
Comedowns from amphetamines
A comedown is how you feel as the drug leaves your system.
Comedowns from amphetamines can last days and cause:
- problems sleeping
- mood swings or low mood
- headaches
- paranoia or confusion
- twitching and muscle aches
- fatigue
Avoid using other drugs to cope with comedowns.
It may help to talk to someone about your experience. This could be someone you trust or a listening service.
Amphetamines and dependency
Regular use of amphetamines can cause:
- tolerance - when you need to take more of the drug to get the same effects
- dependency
Signs of dependency can include:
- cravings for a drug
- withdrawal symptoms
- continuing to use a drug even when it causes you harm
How long do amphetamines stay in your system?
It can be hard to know how long amphetamines stay in your system.
There are tests to detect amphetamines. But different types of tests have different detection times.
Things that affect how long a drug stays in your system
The time it takes for a drug to leave your system depends on many things.
For example:
- how much you took
- how often you take the drug
- how strong the drug was
- your age, sex and metabolism
- your general health
Reducing risks from amphetamines
It’s always safest not to take drugs.
There are ways to reduce the risk of harm if you use amphetamines. Select a piece of advice to find out more.
Consider if there is extra risk for you - such as health conditions or how you feel.
There are always risks if you use drugs. But some people may be more at risk than others.
If you or someone in your family has any health conditions or mental health difficulties, you may be more at risk of a drug emergency.
It can be hard to know your level of risk. Some people have health conditions and do not know it.
If you feel low, anxious or stressed, you are more at risk of a negative or challenging experience.
Only take with you what you intend to use.
This is to reduce the risk of taking too much in 1 session.
Some drugs cause a strong urge to take more. You may also lose track of what you take. If you take too much too soon, you increase your risks.
Start with a small amount and wait 2 hours before you take more.
This is to reduce the risk of an overdose or drug emergency.
The contents or strength of drugs can vary, even in the same batch.
If you start with a small amount, you can:
- see how you react
- stop if you get an effect you did not expect or do not want
It can take up to 2 hours for some effects to happen. If you take too much too soon, it increases your risk.
Take breaks to rest and cool down.
This is to reduce the risk of dehydration and overheating. Amphetamines can increase your body temperature.
If you're dancing when you take amphetamines, take regular breaks. You can put a wet cloth or t-shirt on your forehead if you feel too hot.
Sip water or sports drinks - but not more than 1 pint an hour.
This is to reduce the risk of dehydration and water intoxication. Amphetamines can increase your body temperature, make you thirsty and stop you peeing.
But if you drink too much water, your body pushes the extra water into your cells. The extra water causes a salt imbalance and swelling in your brain cells.
Plan a safe way to get home.
It is dangerous to drive if drugs are in your system. You could harm yourself or other people. A drug can still be in your system even if you do not feel the effects.
Consider less risky ways of using if you inject amphetamines.
Injecting drugs increases the risk of overdose and can cause vein damage or infections.
Think about your sexual health.
Amphetamines can reduce your inhibitions and increase your sex drive.
There are things you can do to look after yourself and your partners if you could have sex when you take drugs.
Find safe ways to cope with comedowns.
Using drugs or alcohol to cope with comedowns can make you feel worse.
Try to:
- get enough sleep or rest
- eat well
- keep in contact with friends and check if they are OK too
- talk to someone you trust about how you feel if you had a negative experience or saw something that worries you
- do some light activity, such as a walk - it releases chemicals in your brain that improve your mood (endorphins)
- do some relaxation exercises to manage stress, anxiety and worry
- take regular breaks from drugs and alcohol
- get medical advice if you have thoughts or feelings that worry you
Know what to do in case of a drug emergency.
If you take any kind of drug, it is important to know:
- signs of a drug emergency, including signs related to mental health
- what to do in case of overdose or other emergencies
An overdose can be a life-threatening condition. It happens when someone has too much of a drug or another substance in their system.
Getting help can prevent serious damage or death. Your wellbeing is the main priority.
Find more ways to reduce risks from drugs.
Mixing amphetamines with alcohol or other drugs
Using amphetamines with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can have unpredictable and negative effects. Mixing drugs is always more risky.
For example, if you use amphetamines with:
- other drugs that speed up messages between your brain and body - such as cocaine
- alcohol
- opioids such as heroin
- medicines such as antidepressants or prescription amphetamines
It can increase the risk of heart problems and seizures.
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 if
you or someone else has taken speed or another amphetamine and has:
- chest pain
- a very fast heartbeat
- a seizure (fits)
- problems breathing
- severe distress, confusion or panic - they cannot calm down and may be a danger to themselves or others
Stay with them until help arrives.
Tell the medics everything you know about the drug and give them any leftover drug if possible. It will help them decide the right treatment.
If you are worried about amphetamine use
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s use, you can find support. This can be when amphetamine use affects your health, relationships, work or other areas of your life.
Non-urgent advice: Drugs and alcohol helpline
You can contact the helpline for support, information or advice on treatment and support options.
Freephone: 1800 459 459
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Email: helpline@hse.ie