Sports Nutrition The Risks of Amphetamines for Performance By Elizabeth Quinn, MS Elizabeth Quinn, MS Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 27, 2022 Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Cara Lustik Fact checked by Cara Lustik LinkedIn Cara Lustik is a fact-checker and copywriter with more than 15 years of experience crafting stories in the branding, licensing, and entertainment industries. Learn about our editorial process Print Cavan Images/Iconica/Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Effects of Amphetamines Medical Uses of Amphetamines Amphetamine Use in Sports Side Effects of Amphetamines Amphetamines, sometimes called "speed" or "uppers," are central nervous system stimulant drugs that increase alertness, self-confidence, and concentration while creating a feeling of increased energy and decreasing appetite. Due to these effects, they have been used as performance-enhancing drugs by athletes, even though they are banned substances. Effects of Amphetamines The chemical structures of amphetamines are similar to the naturally occurring adrenaline and noradrenaline produced by the body. The effects of amphetamines are similar to cocaine, but last longer. They have many short-term and long-term side effects and are habit-forming. Amphetamines may provide some minor, short-term benefits. Taking 10 to 30 milligrams of methamphetamine may improve reaction time and cognitive function and increase the feelings of alertness and euphoria while decreasing a sense of fatigue. But with these effects also comes a tendency to make more high-risk choices. At higher doses, people often experience agitation, an inability to focus on divided attention tasks, inattention, restlessness, motor excitation, increased reaction time, time distortion, depressed reflexes, poor balance and coordination, and an inability to follow directions. One of the risks of even moderate amphetamine use in athletes is that due to a distorted perception of pain or fatigue, they may ignore injury warning signs and play even when injured. Medical Uses of Amphetamines Amphetamine-containing medications such as Aszenys ER, Danenzys XR, Dyanavel XR, Evekeo, Adderall, and Dexedrine are sometimes prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Evekeo is also used to treat narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that causes sleepiness during the day or sudden sleep attacks. Amphetamine Use in Sports Despite the negative side effects and addictive nature of amphetamines, some athletes continue to use them in hopes of gaining a small performance advantage. If you are considering using these stimulants, keep in mind that nearly all forms of amphetamines are on the banned substance list of most, if not all, sports organizations. For example, in 2012, eight players were suspended from the National Football League (NFL) for using Adderall without a therapeutic exemption. All major professional sports leagues in the U.S., the NCAA, and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency ban Adderall. Despite this, more than 7% of male NCAA athletes reported using Ritalin or Adderall without a prescription in a 2013 study. Side Effects of Amphetamines Potential short-term side effects of amphetamines include: HeadachesIncreased blood pressureIncreased heart rateInsomniaWeight lossHallucinationsConvulsionsHeart rhythm abnormalitiesHeart attack Long-term use of amphetamines can increase tolerance for the drugs and the need to continually take more for the same effect. It’s not uncommon for athletes to become dependent on the drug and have difficulty withdrawing from amphetamines. Sudden withdrawal can cause depression, weakness, and extreme fatigue. Long-term use of amphetamines can result in: Uncontrollable movements of the faceParanoid delusionsNerve damageIrritabilityInsomniaConfusionTremorsAnxietyIrregular heartbeatDizzinessHypertension A Word From Verywell Amphetamines are an addictive substance that can cause side effects, complications, and lasting health issues. As well, they are considered a banned substance in most sports. If you are considering taking amphetamines, speak to your health care practitioner first. Even though they have some legitimate medical uses, it is dangerous to take amphetamines to enhance athletic performance. 6 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Library of Medicine. Compound Summary: Amphetamine. Wood S, Sage JR, Shuman T, Anagnostaras SG. Psychostimulants and cognition: A continuum of behavioral and cognitive activation. Pharmacol Rev. 2014;(66)1:193-221. doi:10.1124/pr.112.007054 National Library of Medicine. Amphetamine. Buckman JF, Farris SG, Yusko DA. A national study of substance use behaviors among NCAA male athletes who use banned performance enhancing substances. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2013;131(0):50-55. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.04.023 U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Shire US Inc. ADDERALL XR® [package insert]. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. RITALIN® (methylphenidate hydrochloride) tablets [package insert]. By Elizabeth Quinn, MS Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit