It can be smoked,
injected, snorted or swallowed. It stimulates a massive
release of the pleasure-causing neurotransmitters adrenaline and dopamine
in the brain and inhibits their breakdown.
Immediate effects
(lasting from 2 to 14 hours per dose) include euphoria, sexual
arousal, elevated heart rate, tremor, dry mouth, loss of appetite, insomnia and
paranoia, followed by agitation and irritability.
Long-term effects
include malnutrition, psychosis, depression, memory loss and
possible damage to the heart, brain, lungs and liver.
Pharmaceutical versions
of the drug (Desoxyn Gradumet) are approved for
treatment of obesity and attention-deficit disorder.