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Understanding the Effects of Speed on Your Mind and Body

Speed, often referred to in scientific circles as amphetamine, is a type of stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. It's similar in chemical structure to methamphetamine, albeit usually less potent in its effects. Both legal and illegal forms of amphetamine are used for various reasons: medically for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy, and recreationally for the heightened sense of energy it can provide. However, the focus here will be primarily on the recreational use of speed and its impacts on the user.

What Happens When You Take Speed?

When someone consumes speed, it rapidly increases the amount of neurotransmitters - specifically dopamine and norepinephrine - in the brain. This surge creates a feeling of increased alertness, energy, and typically, a euphoric sensation known as a "high." It's these effects that can make the drug particularly enticing to users, including potentially teenagers seeking to enhance performance or experience a potent rush.

Physical Effects

• Euphoria: The immediate effect of speed is a feeling of being energised and euphoric. This is often what draws users to the drug initially.
• Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: As a stimulant, speed causes your heart rate and blood pressure to rise, which can lead to long-term cardiovascular problems.
• Reduced Appetite: Speed suppresses the appetite, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies and unhealthy weight loss.
• Insomnia: The heightened alertness can disrupt normal sleep patterns, leading to insomnia and other sleep-related issues.

Psychological Effects

• Heightened Alertness: Users often feel more awake and aware, which can initially improve concentration and focus.
• Feeling of Invincibility: Speed can also make users feel more confident and capable, often beyond realistic boundaries.
• Anxiety and Paranoia: These are common side effects as the drug can also heighten anxiety and create feelings of paranoia.

Real-Life Impact on Young People

For teenagers, the allure of speed might be tied to its ability to prolong wakefulness and energy, which can be tempting for those trying to juggle schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and social lives. However, the costs often outweigh the temporary benefits. The use of speed can impair judgement, leading to risky behaviours such as unsafe driving, unsafe sexual practices, or the use of other drugs. Additionally, the legal consequences of using or possessing illegal stimulants can be severe, impacting a teenager's future opportunities significantly.

Moreover, teenagers are in a critical phase of brain development. The use of amphetamines can disrupt this process, leading to potential long-term psychological and physical health problems. The drug's impact on sleep patterns and nutrition can also severely affect a teenager's growth and development.

Strategies for Dealing with Peer Pressure to Use Speed

One of the biggest challenges teenagers face concerning drug use is peer pressure. Below are some strategies to counteract this and maintain healthy boundaries:

Educate Yourself and Others

Understanding the effects of speed is a powerful tool. Educated teens are better equipped to make informed decisions and can also influence their peers positively.

Develop Healthy Coping Strategies

Stress is often a trigger for drug use. Developing healthy ways to cope with stress, like exercise, hobbies, or talking to a trusted advisor, can reduce the reliance on substances.

Choose Your Social Circle Wisely

Surrounding yourself with friends who support your decision not to use drugs can provide a buffer against peer pressure. Peer groups that value healthy activities can reinforce positive behaviours.

practise Assertiveness

Being able to say no confidently and clearly can sometimes be all it takes to stop peer pressure. practise ways to decline offers in a firm, yet polite manner.

Seek Support When Needed

If you find yourself struggling to handle the pressure to use drugs, don't hesitate to reach out to a trusted adult, counsellor, or peer support group. It's important to seek help when you feel overwhelmed.

Conclusion

Understanding what it feels like to be on speed, with its euphoric highs and dangerous lows, can provide insights into why some might be drawn to using it. However, the risks involved, especially for teenagers, are significant. By educating yourself about the effects of speed, the real-life implications, and how to deal with peer pressure, you can make informed, safer choices that support your health and well-being in the long run. Knowing when and how to seek help can also make a crucial difference in managing any issues related to drug use.

How are you feeling?

It is really important that when we need help, we feel able to ask for it. This could be speaking to a parent, a close friend, a teacher or someone else you trust. Sometimes it can be really hard to share our feelings with other people but if we are feeling low or don't know where to turn, sharing with others is really important. Teachers will always take you seriously and listen to your problems in confidence if you approach them for help. Likewise, parents, siblings or friends will help you if you reach out to them.

If you feel like you can't speak to anyone you know, there are people and organisations that can help support you:

• Childline - Call them on 0800 1111 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• NSPCC - Call them on 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email them on help@NSPCC.org.uk
• The Samaritans – Call them on 116 123 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• SANE – Call 0300 304 7000 for support (4:30pm - 10:30pm every day)
• Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (9:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday)

*Sometimes we will use real life examples in our articles to aid understanding. When we do, names and ages will be changed.