Speed

MDMA/Ecstasy

28. September 2016

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

23. October 2016

What is it?
How is it taken?
What does it feel like?
Side and long-term effects
Overdosage
Mixed consumption
Addictive potential and withdrawal
Safer Use
Safer Sex
HIV therapy interactions
Counseling

What is it?

Speed contains the substance amphetamine and/or other stimulants and other active ingredients. Most often, you will encounter speed as a whitish or yellowish, crystalline powder or paste, more rarely in the form of capsules, tablets or solutions (juices).

The amphetamine content in speed can vary greatly from drug to drug and usually fluctuates between 10 and 80 percent. The average active ingredient content in Germany has fluctuated slightly for years between 12 and 15 percent.

In addition to amphetamine, speed may contain other active ingredients such as 4-fluoramphetamine or 4-methyl-amphetamine, methamphetamine, ephedrine, MDMA, cocaine, caffeine, painkillers and largely ineffective extenders (lactose, creatine/creatinine, mannitol or similar). During the production of speed, harmful impurities can arise that are not visible from the outside.

How is it taken?

Speed is mostly snorted, less often swallowed in capsules or wrapped in paper (“bomb”) or drunk mixed in a drink. Very rarely, speed is slammed.

Dosage: A common dose is between 5 and 25mg of pure amphetamine. A dose of 50mg is considered high and should not be exceeded. Due to the high variation of active ingredients in speed preparations, it is hardly possible to measure an exact dose.

When you sniff speed, the effect kicks in after a few minutes and lasts for about 6-12 hours.

Speed can cause a strong burning sensation in the nose and throat. The nasal mucous membranes are attacked when sniffing speed, injuries can occur. Especially the nasal consumption of speed pastes is described as very corrosive and biting.

When swallowed, it can take 30 minutes to take effect and the effect lasts longer overall. Depending on when and how much you ate beforehand, the time it takes to feel the effects may vary. If you consume in this way, you may experience stomach upset and nausea.

What does it feel like?

Each substance has a different effect on each person. The effect of speed depends on personal factors (body mass, habituation, ingested amount, on a full or empty stomach, …). An important role is played by the setting and your mental and physical condition.

In the consumption of illegally manufactured substances, it is usually not known how much active ingredient is present in a drug or parts of it. This makes accurate dosing difficult and increases the likelihood of unintended effects. Pay attention to current substance warnings and use drug-checking services when possible.

Speed puts your body in a state of emergency that normally occurs in dangerous situations. Physical needs that are not essential for survival, such as hunger, thirst, pain and fatigue, are suppressed. Instead, strength, endurance, attention, self-esteem and performance are greatly increased. Speed, however, does not supply your body with energy, but stimulates you and makes your body use up its energy reserves. Users report extreme performance, alertness and euphoric states when using speed. It has a disinhibiting effect and increases the willingness to take risks. When the effect wears off, you may feel like having sex.

Side and long-term effects

Since the exact composition of speed is mostly unknown, it is never predictable what effect the consumption will have.

Using speed puts your body under extreme stress. Speed use can push you to your performance limits. The more often, longer, or more you use speed, the more likely unpleasant or undesirable effects will come to the fore.

If you take speed, these side effects are likely:

subdued sense of hunger, thirst and fatigue
Sweating or shivering
Jaw spasm, “chewing lash”
Tingling sensation in the hands and feet
Dry mouth
Muscle cramps
Heart palpitations
Increased body temperature
Irritability
increased aggressiveness
Nervousness
paranoid or delusional thoughts
Hallucinations and delusions

When coming down and after your consumption, you may notice some of these symptoms:

Sleep disorders
Headache and pain in the limbs
Fatigue
Listlessness
ravenous appetite
Memory Gaps
Depressed mood

If you consume over a longer period of time, the following effects become more likely:

Fatigue
Heart and circulatory problems
weakened immune system (and thus more frequent infections)
strong weight loss
Skin blemishes (“speed pimples”)
increased risk of stroke and heart attack
Nerve damage
Psychoses

Overdosage

Because the exact composition of speed is mostly unknown, overdoses or unexpected effects can occur quickly.

Signs of a speed overdose include:

Dizziness
Trembling
Sweating
Compulsive body movements
Paranoia, psychotic states
Circulatory collapse, unconsciousness
Overheating
Red coloration of the skin
Stroke
Heart, liver or kidney failure

In case of persistent malaise, increasing cramps and overheating, get medical help. If you find an unconscious person, check if the person is breathing, give first aid and call an ambulance (112).

Guide first aid in (drug) emergencies (german).

For more information on first aid for Chemsex emergencies, click here.

You can also contact the following agencies: Drug emergency phone: 01806 313031 (24 hours) Drug emergency service: 030 19237 (24 hours)

Mixed consumption

Basically, if you take several substances at the same time, this puts a greater strain on your body and psyche. Individual effects can be intensified, weakened or delayed. The probability of overdose or side effects is not calculable.

Speed + other stimulants (caffeine, cocaine, other amphetamines): The circulation is extremely stressed. Fluid loss, overheating and circulatory collapse are possible.
Speed + cannabis: the effect of cannabis is enhanced, the development of anxiety is increased, a permanent anxiety disorder or psychosis may develop.
Speed + Alcohol: You are less likely to perceive that you are drunk. This makes it more likely that you will drink too much. It can be easier to get alcohol poisoning.
Speed + Poppers or Viagra: The circulation is extremely stressed. You risk mortal danger when mixing.
Speed + beta-blockers, MAO inhibitors, or tricyclic antidepressants: Severe increase in blood pressure. You risk mortal danger when mixing.
Speed + benzodiazepines: Extremely high circulatory stress, this can lead to circulatory collapse.

Addiction risk and withdrawal

The use of speed leads to a rapid build-up of tolerance (habituation effect). This means that you have to take more and more of the substance over time to achieve the same effect.
If you use amphetamines, you may develop a psychological dependence.
When speed is discontinued after sustained and long-term use, physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms may occur. The main symptoms are: strong craving for the drug, depressive mood, lack of strength and excessive sleepiness, panic attacks, sweating. In addition, delusions, cardiovascular problems, nausea, cramps and inner restlessness may occur.
Self-organized “cold turkey” withdrawal (without medical consultations and care) can be physically and psychologically stressful. Find out which hospitals in your area offer medically supervised withdrawal and get support.

Safer Use

Individuals with psychological distress or illness are at higher risk of experiencing acute psychotic reactions (paranoia, persecutory delusions).
Do not consume if you have cardiovascular problems, liver or kidney disease, or diabetes.
Use only your own snuff tube. If sharp-edged tubes are used for sniffing (e.g., banknotes, plastic straws), minor injuries to the nasal mucosa may occur and minor traces of blood may remain on the tube. If a tube is shared with others during sniffing, hepatitis C or herpes may be transmitted.
Always measure your dose yourself. Do not delegate the responsibility for this to others. That way you are guaranteed to keep track.
It is never okay to administer substances to other people without their knowledge and consent! You are endangering the life of the person and are liable to prosecution. If you observe such a situation, get help from others and protect the person concerned.
Speed damages the mucous membranes of the nose. To protect your nose while snorting, you can chop the powder as small as possible and do a nasal rinse after the party.
Speed belastet den Kreislauf und nimmt deinem Körper Energie. Du kannst zwischendurch Pausen an der frischen Luft machen, um dich etwas abzukühlen. Achte darauf, immer mal wieder eine Kleinigkeit zu essen und zu trinken. Eine ausgewogene Ernährung hilft, einem Nährstoffmangel vorzubeugen.
After consumption, you may feel out of tune, drained, or irritable. Plan this phase into your week and take it easy.
Find an end to use and try to be abstinent when coming down. Substance use with the goal of shortening the downtime can lead to unexpected interactions and promote dependence.
Certain drug interactions pose a high risk to your health. Talk to your doctor about drug interactions with other substances.
Do not consume alone. Unexpected side effects can always occur. Inform your friends about what you have consumed.

Safer Sex

Under the influence of speed, risks of a situation are perceived and assessed differently. When you use speed, you may be more likely to overstep boundaries and abstain from safe sex. This increases your risk of infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Under the influence of speed, you may become very horny, but your cock will not get stiff.
Do not mix Speed and Viagra! Mixing Speed and Viagra can lead to life-threatening cardiovascular failure.
On speed, the cock is less sensitive and it can be harder to cum. This usually makes the fuck a longer, harder affair with the risk of small, bleeding injuries. HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted infections can easily be transmitted here.
If sex on speed lasts longer, change the condom every half hour or choose another protection strategy.
Have plenty of safe sex items (gloves, condoms, water-based lube) on hand.
Sex and speed only work with mutual consent and trust. Clarify in advance which sex practices are willing by all and which are not.
Only have sex with people who can express their will! If a person is so high that he or she is no longer able to communicate, he or she is also incapable of giving consent. Under no circumstances may sexual acts be (further) performed on him. This applies even if mutual intentions were previously discussed while she was conscious. This may be a criminal offense (§177 StGB).
Consume only enough to be able to defend yourself or to recognize defensive signals from your partners.
Pay attention to your body! If you notice any abnormalities, you should consult a doctor.
Get tested for sexually transmitted infections at least once a year and check your hepatitis A/B vaccination status.
You can find information about first aid for chemsex emergencies here.

HIV therapy interactions

Boosters (Norvir®(Ritonavir), Tybost®(Cobicistat)) inhibit the metabolism of speed. This makes the drug more potent and longer lasting.
Take drugs and HIV medications at different times. This may reduce drug interactions. Lower the dosage of drugs when taking medications at the same time.
Often the night grows long – take enough medication with you and keep your intake times.
Talk to your doctor about the interactions of your HIV medications with intoxicants.
For information on interactions between substances and HIV medications, click here.

Counselling

Want to talk about your use, have questions, or looking for support about substance use?
Want to share and/or reflect on your experiences under substances with someone?
You feel that you consume too much?
Are you worried about a friend or acquaintance and want advice or tips on how to deal with it as a friend?
You have the feeling that you use too much? The drug counseling in your area will be happy to help you!

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