Sports Nutrition Improving Performance The Risks of Amphetamines for Performance By Elizabeth Quinn Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. Learn about our editorial process Elizabeth Quinn Fact checked by Fact checked by Cara Lustik on July 26, 2020 linkedin Cara Lustik is a fact checker and copywriter. Learn about our editorial process Cara Lustik Updated on July 26, 2020 Print Cavan Images/Iconica/Getty Images 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 that is 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, as well as increasing 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 attention 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, and Evekeo (amphetamine), Adderall (dextroamphetamine/amphetamine), and Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine) are sometimes prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Evekeo is also used to treat narcolepsy, which is 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. Adderall is banned by all major professional sports leagues in the U.S., the NCAA, and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. 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 result in increased 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 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get nutrition tips and advice to make healthy eating easier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article 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 MedlinePlus. 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