Quick info
Amphetamine (speed, pep) is a stimulant/upper and is a synthetic substance—that is, one produced in a laboratory—with a stimulating effect. It increases alertness and energy, suppresses hunger and fatigue, and can remain effective for many hours. It usually comes in the form of a powder or paste.
Illegally traded speed is often cut with caffeine and may contain chemical impurities from the manufacturing process. The concentration of the active ingredient can vary greatly. Its use puts a strain on the cardiovascular system and can pose significant health risks, particularly at high doses and when combined with sleep deprivation.
Amphetamines are also used as medications, for example, to treat ADHD. Unlike illegally manufactured amphetamines, these contain a controlled amount of the active ingredient and are prescribed by a doctor.
You can find more information about the amphetamine samples tested by the DIZ here: Blog \ Amphetamine Analysis 2025
Amphetamine increases the availability of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. It can trigger euphoria, boost self-confidence, and lead to an increased urge to talk. Users often feel more productive and focused. At the same time, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature rise. Hunger, fatigue, and pain perception are suppressed, while a willingness to take risks may increase. Even when tired, falling asleep can remain difficult for many hours.
For people with ADHD, amphetamine can improve concentration and reduce restlessness (self-medication). However, this effect is not limited to people with ADHD and does not constitute evidence of a diagnosis. Illegally obtained “speed” is also not a safe alternative to medical treatment. If you suspect you have ADHD, we recommend that you seek an evaluation from a specialist. Treatment is individualized and can be provided with or without medication. Learn more about this topic under ADHD and Addiction
Onset of effect
Snorted: after 2 - 10 minutes
Swallowed: after 15 - 120 minutes (much faster on an empty stomach than on a full one)
Injected: after just a few seconds
Duration of action
Snorted 3 - 6 hours
Swallowed: 4 - 12 hours (amphetamine is poorly broken down in the body)
Injected: 4 - 6 hours. Amphetamine is poorly broken down in the body.
Cache effects
Up to 24 hours (snorted and swallowed).
The intensity and duration of amphetamine's effects vary from person to person. Key factors include the dosage, the method of use, tolerance, as well as the user's mental state (set) and the environment in which it is used (setting).
Because of the varying purity (the amphetamine content of street amphetamine can vary greatly!), dosing is difficult and the risk of an accidental overdose is high.
Snuffed
light: 10-25 mg
medium: 25-40 mg
strong: 40-75 mg
Swallowed
light: 10-20 mg
medium: 20-50 mg
strong: 50-70 mg
Appearance
White, beige, yellowish or pinkish powder or paste, rarely filled in capsules or in pill form.
Moist amphetamine paste is not necessarily purer or more potent than dry "speed." It is often a mixture of amphetamine and caffeine that has not been dried sufficiently or has been moistened with liquids afterward.
Short-term physical and psychological risks
Aftereffects (1–3 days): Exhaustion, increased need for sleep, food cravings, irritability, and depressive moods.
Long-term risks associated with regular consumption
Before Consumption
While consuming
After consumption
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Lower risk
Learn about the substances, their effects, how quickly they take effect, and the proper dosage. Get to know each substance on its own first, and see how they affect you and whether they suit you before mixing them. Allow enough time between doses, mix as few substances as possible, and start with low doses.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Risk
This combination already poses a significant risk. The effects can reinforce each other or change in unpredictable ways. Therefore, use these substances with caution, test new or unfamiliar substances individually first, and keep the doses as low as possible. Allow sufficient time between doses and avoid taking additional doses on a whim. Be aware of the varying durations of action for each substance.
Amphetamine pastes may contain toxic solvents. Therefore, amphetamine paste should be thoroughly dried before use. Even after drying, harmful solvent residues may remain.
Amphetamine is often cut with caffeine, which can intensify its stimulant effects and place additional strain on the cardiovascular system. High doses of caffeine can cause health problems, including rapid heartbeat, arrhythmias, and seizures.
The production of amphetamine can result in undesirable chemical byproducts, known as synthetic impurities. If the substance is not purified sufficiently, these impurities may remain in it. Their health effects have hardly been studied and are therefore difficult to assess. Even small amounts may be harmful. Regular use can further increase the health risk.
If you or someone else needs urgent help after taking drugs or alcohol, call an ambulance on 144. Tell the emergency responders everything you know.
It could save lives.
