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The Discovery and Uses of Amphetamines
The drug amphetamine serves as a stimulant for the central nervous system and affects chemicals in the nerves and brain which are associated with impulse control and hyperactivity (PubChem Compound Database). It’s used in a variety of drugs such as Adderall, Concerta, and Focalin to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Amphetamine effectively helps treat ADHD and narcolepsy by increasing the user’s ability to focus, stay awake, pay attention, and control behavior problems (WebMD). I chose this topic because I have always been curious as to how someone can make a drug that can in essence make you smarter. Was the discovery of this drug an accident or something planned, and how has it evolved for new purposes over time? As well as what is the chemistry behind this super drug that allows us to accomplish such amazing cognitive features? I wanted to track the history of this drug and find out how it along with its features got discovered and the chemistry behind how it works.
Though racemic amphetamine was discovered in 1910, G. A. Alles first synthesized the molecule in 1927 while he tried to obtain a more productive and cheaper method of synthesizing Ephedrine. He discovered through experimentation on humans and animals that “Benzedrine had the ability to reverse drug-induced anesthesia and produce arousal and insomnia” (Heal). Early on, this drug was trademarked as benzedrine and it wasn’t until the late 1940s that amphetamine was adopted as the generic name of benzedrine. It was during the late 1930s that benzedrine hit the market as a treatment for narcolepsy. In the early 1940’s benzedrine’s ability to treat behavioral problems and ADHD was noticed when an experiment was done where kids were given benzedrine and immediately showed improvements in their school work, demeanor, and behavior. During the late 1940’s benzedrine’s cognitive enhancing abilities were noticed as several reports came out showing improvement on intelligence tests. This prompted for its widespread use by students and medical professionals to increase concentration, and intellectual performance and reduce stress (Heal).
To understand the chemistry behind how amphetamines work, we need to dive into the chemical reactions that take place in the brain and central nervous system. Amphetamine works by essentially increasing the concentration of dopamine in the synaptic gap between neurons. Since dopamine and amphetamine molecules have similar structures the amphetamine molecules can also enter by either diffusing through the membrane or getting transported in via dopamine transporters in the terminal end of a presynaptic neuron. After they are inside the presynaptic neuron “Amphetamines force dopamine molecules out of their storage vessels and expel them out of the presynaptic gap by forcing the dopamine transporters to work in reverse” (Mcgill). They reduce the reuptake of dopamine molecules allowing the neuron to be more readily excitable and fire quicker and more frequently (Mcgill). This quicker firing of chemical and electrical signals, in turn, increases the user’s ability to focus, stay awake, pay attention, and control behavioral problems.
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