Helping the brain's messengers get from A to B Jun 11, 2010
Because widely used medications for depression modulate this transport process by binding to the transporters, the new findings help explain how the medications work, and the way in which stimulants like cocaine and amphetamine produce their effects. This new understanding should also prove useful in the development of more targeted medication therapies for anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and substance abuse. (EurekAlert!)
4 in 5 poker players use drugs to stay sharp Jun 8, 2010
Researchers from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Fort Lauderdale, found that alongside caffeine, energy drinks and guarana, professional and amateur players all over the world are turning to marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, Valium and a host of other prescription medications to try to gain some advantage at the table. "The use of these substances could allow poker players to stay awake longer, as well as focus and concentrate better, which would be a competitive advantage, study author... (USA Today)
Study finds poker players using drugs to enhance performance Jun 2, 2010
Poker players are using drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, Valium, and other prescription medications, as well as substances including caffeine, energy drinks and guarana to get an edge over their opponents. "The use these substances could allow poker players to stay awake longer, as well as focus and concentrate better, which would be a competitive advantage," said Kevin Clauson, Pharm. (EurekAlert!)
Drug Tests Not Immune from False Positives Jun 2, 2010
Cold medications, the antidepressant Wellbutrin and tricyclic antidepressants can trigger false-positive results on tests for amphetamines, according to the review, and the antidepressant Zoloft and the painkiller Daypro can show up as a benzodiazepine problem. The quinolone antibiotic drugs can trigger false positives for opioids, and the HIV medication Sustiva can show up as marijuana use, Smith said. (CBS News -- Health)
Deaths 'not due to mephedrone' May 29, 2010
" North East Lincolnshire Coroners Court has refused to comment ahead of the inquest. Political aspects At the time, the ban on mephedrone - which catagorised it alongside amphetamines and cannabis - caused a row amongst some politicians and scientists. The Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) had recommended a ban, saying the substance was "likely to be harmful" despite incomplete research. Analysis Danny Shaw BBC home affairs correspondent Until Louis Wainwright and Nicholas Smith... (BBC News -- UK)
Braves minor-leaguers suspended May 28, 2010
PITTSBURGH Three Braves minor league infielders have been slapped with 50-game suspensions after testing positive for amphetamines ... Amphetamines are classified by baseball as a banned, performance-enhancing substances. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
1,200 National Guard troops won't fix the border May 26, 2010
Surely a "Buy American" campaign for marijuana and amphetamines would be a smashing, patriotic success. There is, I admit, not much we can do about cocaine and heroin. (Salon)
Braves option Kimbrel, call up Martinez May 26, 2010
PITTSBURGH -- Major League Baseball announced Friday that three Braves Minor Leaguers have received 50-game suspensions after testing positive for an amphetamine, a performance-enhancing substance banned under Minor League Baseball's Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Infielders Albaro "Yoel" Campusano, Geraldo Rodriguez and Amadeo Zazueta, currently playing for Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach, will all immediately begin serving their suspensions. (MLB.com -- Atlanta Braves)
* Sport Briefs May 24, 2010
Williams tested positive for an amphetamine at a meeting in Spain in July last year. Williams said on Saturday he took sleeping tablets and used an inhaler on his way to the meeting, and indicated the medications on a form filled out for doping control. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Warnings over new 'legal highs' May 24, 2010
As a Class B drug - the same category as cannabis and amphetamines - anyone now found carrying mephedrone could face up to five years' imprisonment - while dealers could receive up to 14 years. Eye on Wales found alternatives were already being touted on the internet, with numerous websites selling MDAI and NRG-1. (BBC News -- UK)
She's Hooked: Allure of Vices Tied to a Woman's Monthly Cycle May 11, 2010
Removing the ovaries of female rats so that the no longer produce estrogen can diminish their tendency to seek out stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamine. In addition, giving estrogen to female rats whose ovaries have been removed can shorten the path to addiction. (Scientific American)
SWAMINOMICS: How Raman Effect is being used by US today May 9, 2010
At the scene of a crime, or during airport security checks, the scanner can tell whether a substance is heroin, crack cocaine, amphetamine, or plain chalk. Security experts can programme scanners to detect different sorts of explosives such as RDX or nitroglycerine. (India Times)
Diet Pills Review - Analysis Apr 28, 2010
Diet pills developed initially contained amphetamines like Digoxin and Dexedrine which are actually stimulants that increase heart rate to dangerous levels ... Diet pills containing amphetamines or similar stimulants present a definite risk an attack or even death. (Suite101.com)
Click to watch: Popping Pills A Popular Way To Boost Brain Power Apr 23, 2010
People have used amphetamine 'diet pills' to enhance study since the 1950's. The questions I have are whether they work for this purpose of study and what are the long term effects. (CBS News -- 60 minutes II)
Dwyers drug test a result of approved prescription medication for ADD Apr 20, 2010
The website said Dwyer tested positive for amphetamines, but did note that the failure was a result of the prescription medication. Dwyer, a Marietta native, rushed for 1,395 yards in each of the last two seasons. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Cocaine- related charges up 55% Apr 20, 2010
Part of the reason for the increase may be that users of amphetamines - the number of which has dropped - are moving towards cocaine, which is seen as having less of a stigma. Join the conversation. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Two Prospects Test Positive Apr 19, 2010
Dwyer tested positive in February for amphetamines, but this appears unlikely to hurt his standing as a late first-round/early second-round selection in this weeks draft. A source said the positive test was triggered by a prescription medication that Dwyer has NFL clearance to use for a pre-existing condition. (PackerReport.com)
Report: USC's McCoy tests positive at combine Apr 19, 2010
com also reported Georgia Tech running back tested positive at the combine for amphetamines because he was taking prescription medication. "All 32 teams received notification prior to the combine that a medication he's taken since childhood would likely result in a positive result at the combine," Adisa Bakari told ESPN's Joe Schad. (ESPN -- College Football)
Georgia Tech's Dwyer tests positive at combine Apr 19, 2010
Georgia Tech running back tested positive at the NFL scouting combine for amphetamines, FoxSports. com reported Sunday, but Dwyer's agent said teams were aware of his client's medical history. (ESPN -- Football)
Congress looks into smokeless tobacco in baseball Apr 15, 2010
172 -- but still with Detroit -- in early July 2007 when he tested positive a second time for amphetamines. A first positive test carried no public punishment at the time, a second resulted in a twenty-five-game suspension. (Salon)
Board examines EISD drug testing plan School board members heard and discussed a proposed drug-testing plan for Elgin ISD students that has been the subject of several public hearings recently. Apr 8, 2010
Testing will include screening for marijuana, cocaine, PCP (phencyclidine), opiates, amphetamines - methamphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, propoxyphene and methadone. Perez said the range in cost of testing runs from 14 to 23 [per administered test], depending on the number of drugs being screened. (Elgin Courier, TX)
Where elephants (infants or in rehab) get under your skin Apr 4, 2010
As we fed the elephants, the staff told us about them: Lilly, whose two previous owners kept her addicted to amphetamines so she could work double shifts; Malai Tong, whose foot was partially blown off by a land mine and with a handler was forced to beg on the streets with a life-threatening infection; and Jokia, who was blinded in both eyes by repeated slingshot assaults intended to make her work past exhaustion. Most of the elephants were purchased from abusive owners, many of whom are only... (Boston Globe)
Dope leads to drink, hard drugs Apr 4, 2010
About 2000 Australian schoolchildren were tracked over a decade in a study that found those who had used cannabis occasionally at age 13 and 14 were more likely to be taking ecstasy, cocaine or amphetamines at 24. They were also more at risk of addiction to cannabis, with one in 10 occasional teen users hooked as adults. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Washington: I also used marijuana, amphetamines Apr 2, 2010
(AP) A day after acknowledging he failed a drug test for cocaine last year, Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington admits he used marijuana and amphetamines while he was a player ... Washington made his latest admission before Texas played a "B'' game against Milwaukee on a practice field. On Wednesday, Washington said he tested positive for cocaine in a Major League Baseball test last July. He told Rangers management and MLB about the cocaine he said he used it only once before the test result... (Alva Review Courier, OK)
Cleaned-up hitter Apr 1, 2010
I probably smoked two joints, drank about three or four beers, got to the ballpark, took some [amphetamines], took a pain pill, drank a cup of coffee, chewed some tobacco, had a cigarette, and got up to the plate and hit, Carbo said. The Sox were four outs from elimination against Cincinnati s Big Red Machine in Game 6 when Carbo came off the bench to smash a three-run home run into the center-field bleachers, tying the score at 6-6. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
* Sports Briefs Mar 20, 2010
A day after acknowledging he failed a drug test for cocaine last year, Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington said he used marijuana and amphetamines while he was a player. Washington calls his past drug use a youthful error. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
NOTES Washington admits more illegal drug use Mar 19, 2010
A day after acknowledging he failed a drug test for cocaine last year, Rangers manager Ron Washington admitted he used marijuana and amphetamines while he was a player ... NOTES / Washington admits more illegal drug use Articles A day after acknowledging he failed a drug test for cocaine last year, Rangers manager Ron Washington admitted he used marijuana and amphetamines while he was a player. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Washington used amphetamines, pot as player Mar 19, 2010
Texas Rangers' Ron Washington said he used amphetamines and marijuana during his playing days - ESPN Dallas ... -- A day after apologizing for using cocaine last season, manager Ron Washington said that he used amphetamines and marijuana during his playing career ... Washington did not specify how often he used amphetamines during his 10-year career in the majors, which ended in 1989 with the. (ESPN -- Baseball)
Exhibition roundup: Manny shines with bat, glove Mar 19, 2010
Hours before the game, manager Ron Washington admitted to having used amphetamines and marijuana during his playing career. The admission came one day after it was revealed Washington had tested positive for cocaine use last July. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- MLB)
Washington admits drug use as player Mar 19, 2010
Rangers manager used amphetamines, marijuana ... -- One day after admitting that he used and tested positive for cocaine one time last summer, Rangers manager Ron Washington found himself answering questions on Thursday about his use of marijuana and amphetamines during his playing career ... " Washington admitted Wednesday that he used cocaine once last summer at some point before the All-Star break. Immediately thereafter, he was told that he was up for a random drug test. At that point,... (MLB.com -- Texas Rangers)
Washington reveals more Mar 19, 2010
A day after acknowledging he failed a drug test for cocaine last year, Rangers manager Ron Washington admitted he used marijuana and amphetamines while he was a player ... Washington did not detail how often he used marijuana and amphetamines, or describe what kind of amphetamines he took. (Boston Globe)
Disconnected UK Mar 18, 2010
Growing up in what she describes as a dysfunctional family, Annamarie became hooked on heroin, amphetamines and crack cocaine at an early age. The internet could not have been further from her mind. (BBC News -- Technology)
Psychopaths' Brains May Focus Solely on Reward Mar 18, 2010
In the study, researchers studied the brain's reward system as subjects received low doses of amphetamine and played a game. The researchers think it's possible that people with hypersensitive reward systems "may become focused on a chance to get a reward, and less able to shift their attention until they get what they're after," said Joshua Buckholtz, doctoral candidate in neuroscience and the lead author of the study, in a statement. (MEDLINEplus)
Inside a psychopath's mind Mar 15, 2010
In the first experiment, positron emission tomography, or PET, imaging was used to measure dopamine release in the brain after the participants had been given a dose of amphetamine, more commonly known as "speed". "Our hypothesis was the psychopathic traits are also linked to dysfunction in dopamine reward circuitry," Buckholtz said. (iAfrica.com)
Mouse Model Reveals a Cause of ADHD Mar 12, 2010
The researchers also found that the CK1 -overexpressing mice became less hyper in response to amphetamine and methylphenidate (Ritalin) in a way similar to that of ADHD patients. Finally, biochemical studies by Postdoctoral Associate Heike Rebholz showed that both classes of dopamine receptors, D1R and D2R, are significantly reduced in the CK1 -overexpressing mice, further evidence that the dopaminergic system is severely affected. (Science Daily)
More cocaine-overdose deaths seen on hotter days Mar 11, 2010
Few of the deaths in the study involved neither cocaine nor opiates, so it was not possible to study the relationship between temperature and overdoses from amphetamines or other stimulants, according to Bohnert. The bottom line, according to Bohnert, is that cocaine users should be aware of the potentially greater risks they face on hotter days. (People's Daily Online, China)
Michigan Special-Education Aide Alleges She Was Fired for Reporting a Third-Grade Drug Dealer and Sexual Harassment of Co-Worker Mar 10, 2010
"I used to be an EMT so I knew to take the coding off the pills. I came home, ran the codes on the computer, and found out they were amphetamines.". The pills were found by several people at the school, including kindergarten students and a school secretary, she said. (ABC News)
Kava-Kava for Mental Well-Being Mar 6, 2010
Derived from a shrub native to the Pacific Islands, Kava-Kava extract contains powerful compounds called Kavalactones, one of which has chemical similarities to the psychoactive amphetamine MDMA. Kava-Kava extract appears to calm the limbic system (the emotional center of the brain) and also acts to relax the muscular system, thus making it an appropriate remedy for headaches, backaches, and other tension-related pain. While its total impact on the brain is still not clear, it's apparent that... (Suite101.com)
Forces Find Weapons, Drug Cache Mar 4, 2010
A combined patrol in the Kash Rod district of Nimroz province found and destroyed 4 pounds of amphetamines, 1 pound of opium and five gallons of acid. (From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news release. (DOD DefenseLINK -- News)
Q&A: Bud Selig talks Rose, McGwire Mar 4, 2010
We banned amphetamines, which I'm proud of ... Amphetamines have been around for 100 years. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Outfielder Lin making good contact Mar 4, 2010
While in the Seattle organization, Sosa was banned 50 games for amphetamine use. I had a little problem with the consulate there, said Sosa. (Boston Globe)
Tragedy part of Games Mar 1, 2010
It was later discovered that he had ingested amphetamines and nicotinyl tartate, which, combined with sunstroke, is thought to have led to his death. This accident paved the way for the quest to end doping in sports. (Carroll County Times, MD)
Ritalin is students' new drug of choice for parties and studying Feb 27, 2010
If you are chopping up Ritalin tablets or dissolving them and injecting them or snorting them, you are more or less taking the same risk as someone doing cocaine or amphetamines intravenously or intra-nasally. . (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Barnett defends NZ transplant for junkie Feb 26, 2010
She had needed a new organ after acute liver failure caused by 12 years of amphetamine and heroin addiction. WA Health Minister Kim Hames on Thursday said the state government would pay to fly Ms Murray and her father to New Zealand for assessment at Auckland Hospital, which has the only adult-to-adult live donor liver transplant unit in Australasia. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Cheese? Urine? Hurt Athletes Try It All Feb 13, 2010
" by sean70x February 12, 2010 3:35 PM EST The World Anti-Doping Agency must be vigilant for anabolics and amphetamines during these winter games. The lab monkeys have discovered a number of athletes taking drugs for their performance. Cheese and mustard packs (and when someone pees on an injured leg) are ruses for substance use. They should ask, "Will Canada allow the sale of cannabis for medical smoke. " Add a comment Comment The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is... (CBS News -- Health)
Georgia luger, 21, dies in Whistler training run Feb 13, 2010
His death was later attributed to ingestion of amphetamines and a blood-pressure medication. 1912 Stockholm: Marathon runner Francisco Lazaro of Portugal became severely dehydrated and collapsed during the race. (ABC News)
Rachel-Zenyatta on for $5 million Feb 12, 2010
Texas Rangers minor league pitcher Danny Gutierrez has been suspended for the first 50 games of the season following a positive test for an amphetamine. Football Giants release linebacker Pierce The New York Giants released 31-year-old linebacker Antonio Pierce, who quarterbacked the defense for the past five years in a tenure that included four trips to the playoffs and a Super Bowl victory over the Patriots in 2008. (Boston Globe)
* Macho bloodshed in Mexico Feb 12, 2010
Theyre disgusting people, high on amphetamines, but in Reynosa they wear these uniforms of their rank, and theyre somebody, Trevino says. Another wise voice is that of the writer Cecilia Balli, whose ancestors were once great ranchers around Matamoros and what is now Brownsville, Texas. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Rangers' Gutierrez suspended 50 games Feb 12, 2010
Rangers pitching prospect Danny Gutierrez on Thursday was suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a performance-enhancing amphetamine. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Thursday that Gutierrez claimed the positive test resulted from traces of the banned stimulant contained in the attention-deficit-disorder (ADD) drug Adderall, which Gutierrez has a prescription for. (MLB.com -- Texas Rangers)
Rangers minor leaguer tests positive for PEDs Feb 12, 2010
minor league pitcher Daniel Gutierrez has received a 50-game suspension by Major League Baseball after testing positive for an amphetamine, a performance-enhancing substance. The suspension will be effective at the start of the 2010 season. (ESPN -- Baseball)
Old Men And The Wait And See Mike McGinnis/Sports IllustratedPedro Martinez didn't find a team until mid July in 2009 but he became a key part of the Phillies' postseason staff.Pedro Martinez. Nomar Garciaparra. John Smoltz. Each is a major award winner. Each is at least 36. And each is one of many fading stars still looking for work, writes Tom Verducci. Feb 11, 2010
You can blame it on the Testing Era, the amphetamine ban, the economy, better informed general managers, the renewed emphasis on defense or the cyclical nature of sport (it's likely a little bit of all), but fewer older players are having an impact and commanding value as they once did. "There are two components that are fairly obviously being emphasized: age and defense," said one GM. "Like a lot of trends, the more they are understood the more they can be overemphasized. But with age and... (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- MLB)
Fake Drugs Bought on the Web Pose Big Health Risks Feb 2, 2010
Study author Dr. Graham Jackson, a cardiologist at London Bridge Hospital in the United Kingdom, said: "The first danger is people don't know what's in it. Some are just talcum powder or brick dust, while some have a bit of Viagra or Cialis and some chemicals that have nothing to do with it. One batch actually contained amphetamine, which is an addictive drug. Tablets are made shiny with road paint or shoe polish. The content of the medication could be anything.". In 2008, four men in Singapore... (MEDLINEplus)
How Myanmar's opium grows Jan 29, 2010
The National Democratic Alliance Army in northeastern Shan State made the claim in 1997; the Kokang in northern Shan State in 2002; the United Wa State Army, which is known to have diversified into methamphetamine production, in 2005; and the Loi Maw area in northern Shan State, the birthplace and one of the former operating areas of notorious drug lord Khun Sa, in 2006 ... Nor did the UNODC acknowledge some groups' switch to large-scale amphetamine production, which has helped to cover profits... (Asia Times Online)
Newborns of Smokers Have Abnormal Blood Pressure Jan 27, 2010
He has led studies of the long-term effects of cocaine and amphetamine use during pregnancy ... "When we isolated tobacco effects, we showed that there are inborn neural effects of tobacco exposure similar to what we see in cocaine and methamphetamine abuse," he said. (MEDLINEplus)
FDA Adds Heart Attack Warning To Diet Pill Jan 26, 2010
The drug is related to the amphetamine family of stimulants. Shares of Abbott Laboratories fell 68 cents, or 1. (KIRO TV, WA)
FDA Warns of Heart Risks With Diet Drug Jan 22, 2010
The drug is related to the amphetamine family of stimulants, the news service said. More information. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Counterfeit Internet Drugs Pose Significant Risks and Discourage Vital Health Checks Jan 22, 2010
It found that that a Hungarian sample contained amphetamine, a UK sample contained caffeine and bulk lactose and that printer ink had been used to colour some samples blue. Other samples contained metronidazole, which can have significant adverse effects when combined with alcohol. (Science Daily)
Heart patients shouldn't use diet pill, FDA says Jan 22, 2010
The drug is related to the amphetamine family of stimulants. Also in msnbc. (MSNBC -- Health)
Story:NJ medical marijuana bill is signed into law Jan 19, 2010
Compare this to the less stringent Schedule Two of the Controlled Substances Act, which includes much more powerful drugs such as morphine and amphetamines. Although dangerous and habit-forming, such drugs have officially recognized medical value, so doctors can prescribe them. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Stan the Man, gangland heavyweight of the '80s, dies at 73 Jan 15, 2010
In 1970, Smith was fined for trying to sell amphetamines ... In 1979, Smith was convicted and jailed in Victoria for 15 months for possession of amphetamines. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Mark McGwire Admits Steroids Use Jan 14, 2010
We have banned and aggressively test for amphetamines, substances which club doctors and professional athletic trainers have told me had presented serious problems for the sport for decades ... The use of steroids and amphetamines amongst todays players has greatly subsided and is virtually non-existent as our testing results have shown. (NY Mets, TheInsiders.com)
Story » Jan 13, 2010
I view his use of steroids similarly to how I view amphetamines, which were used by players for decades. McGwire did not violate a specific baseball rule -- unlike, say, Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry. (ESPN -- Baseball)
Canseco: McGwire not truthful » Jan 13, 2010
"Ralph Houk, Maris' manager with the Yankees in 1961, told ESPN that he does not think the legitimacy of McGwire's home run totals is changed by his admission of using performance-enhancing drugs and that the effects of such drugs -- whether pills (amphetamines) taken in the 1960s or steroids in later years -- are questionable."I think [McGwire] broke [Maris'] record fairly," Houk told ESPN. "I wouldn't be concerned about it. McGwire] was a good hitter that deserves everything he's got. (ESPN -- Baseball)
Time to go ahead and forgive McGwire Jan 13, 2010
Amphetamines had been part of baseball going back several decades. Steroids had been a prominent part of football for at least that long. Supplements that stirred smaller but similar effects to steroids -- such as andro -- were legal both in and out of baseball. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- MLB)
Steroid era not over Jan 13, 2010
The use of steroids and amphetamines amongst todays players has greatly subsided and is virtually nonexistent, as our testing results have shown, the baseball commissoiner said in a statement ... It was fueled for 50 years by amphetamines performance enhancing drugs every bit as illicit as steroids ... When he was playing, the game didnt care what players took, and that went for steroids and amphetamines. (MSNBC -- Sports)
