Amphetamine

Amphetamine, any of a group of stimulant drugs, including Benzedrine and Methedrine, derived from the chemical compound amphetamine (C₉H₁₃N). Amphetamines counteract fatigue, suppress appetite, speed up performance (hence the slang “speed”), and give the taker a false sense of confidence. Pronounced depression often follows use, encouraging psychological and then physical addiction. A paranoid psychosis resembling schizophrenia may result from prolonged use. Amphetamines have been used in the treatment of obesity and narcolepsy (a rare condition of abnormal sleepiness).