Amphetamine facts for kids
Amphetamine is a special kind of medicine. It's made by scientists, not found in nature. This medicine is a stimulant, which means it can make your brain more active. It helps people stay focused and awake. It can also make you feel less hungry and less tired.
Amphetamine works by increasing certain chemicals in your brain called dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals help control your mood, focus, and how you feel pleasure. When they increase, it can make you feel very happy or excited, a feeling called euphoria.
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What is Amphetamine?
Amphetamine is part of a group of medicines often used to treat certain health conditions. It's similar to another medicine called methamphetamine, but they are used for different purposes. Doctors prescribe amphetamine to help people with specific brain-related challenges.
How Does Amphetamine Work?
Imagine your brain has tiny messengers that send signals. Dopamine and norepinephrine are two of these messengers. Amphetamine helps your brain have more of these messengers available. This can improve how your brain sends signals, which helps with focus, attention, and energy levels.
Medical Uses of Amphetamine
Doctors use amphetamine to help people with several conditions. It's important to remember that this medicine should only be used when a doctor prescribes it and tells you how to take it safely.
Treating ADHD
One of the main uses for amphetamine is to help children and teenagers with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). People with ADHD often find it hard to focus, sit still, or control impulsive actions. Amphetamine can help calm their minds and improve their ability to pay attention in school or at home. It helps them concentrate better and manage their energy.
Helping with Narcolepsy
Amphetamine is also used to treat a condition called narcolepsy. People with narcolepsy can feel extremely sleepy during the day, even after a full night's sleep. They might suddenly fall asleep at any time, which can be dangerous. Amphetamine helps them stay awake and alert during the day, making it safer for them to go about their daily activities.
Other Medical Uses
Sometimes, doctors might use amphetamine to help people who have had a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI is an injury to the brain that can cause problems with thinking, memory, and energy. Amphetamine can help improve some of these symptoms, making it easier for people to recover and function. In the past, it was also used to help people reduce their appetite, but this is less common now.
See also
- In Spanish: Anfetamina para niños
