History and culture of substituted amphetamines

Substituted Amphetamines: History and Culture

Substituted amphetamines are a class of compounds based upon the amphetamine structure. It includes all derivative forms where the core amphetamine structure is modified by the addition of one or more substituent. The compounds in this class span a variety of pharmacological subclasses, including stimulants, hallucinogens, and empathogens.

History

The history of substituted amphetamines begins with the original synthesis of amphetamine in the late 19th century. Amphetamine was first synthesized in 1887 by Romanian chemist Lazăr Edeleanu at the University of Berlin. He named the compound "phenylisopropylamine". It was not until the 1920s that the stimulant and therapeutic effects of amphetamines were recognized.

In the 1930s, amphetamine was marketed as Benzedrine in an over-the-counter inhaler to treat nasal congestion. By 1937, amphetamine was available by prescription in tablet form and was used in the treatment of the sleeping disorder narcolepsy and the behavioral syndrome called minimal brain dysfunction, which today is called ADHD.

Culture

Substituted amphetamines have had a major impact on culture, particularly in the 20th century. They have been used by militaries around the world for their performance-enhancing effects. During World War II, amphetamines were widely used to keep the fighting men going.

In the 1960s, substituted amphetamines, particularly methamphetamine, became associated with the counterculture movement. They were used recreationally for their euphoric effects and as a tool for exploring altered states of consciousness.

Etymology

The term "amphetamine" is a contraction of "alpha-methylphenethylamine". The prefix "alpha-methyl-" refers to the single carbon atom that is connected to the nitrogen atom in the amphetamine molecule. The term "phenethylamine" refers to the two carbon atoms that are connected to the nitrogen atom in the amphetamine molecule.

Related Terms

• Phenethylamine: A chemical that is a part of the amphetamine molecule. It is also a parent compound of many other psychoactive drugs.
• Methamphetamine: A highly potent stimulant that is a member of the substituted amphetamine class.
• MDMA: A substituted amphetamine with empathogenic and hallucinogenic effects.

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