On Speed by Nicolas Rasmussen

The Many Lives of Amphetamine

On Speed is an account of the discovery, marketing, and sale of a simple yet powerful drug. It's a history of legal use, abuse, amphetamine addiction, and money.

Cover of On Speed

It goes by many many names on the street: speed, crystal, meth (or crystal meth), crank, and go fast. In medical and pharmaceutical circles benzedrine, amphetamine sulfate, dexedrine or methamphetamine are common monikers. It has helped the obese to lose weight, decongested sinuses, inspired soldiers to charge hills, offered housewives an afternoon pickup, and more recently found a use in treating attention deficit disorder. Powerful and profitable stuff for sure.

Nicolas Rasmussen, Associate Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of New South Wales, has written a detailed and scholarly history of one of the most controversial drugs ever invented. This isn't a "meth is bad" diatribe—in fact, methamphetamine is not the focus, although it is a powerful derivative of the base drug amphetamine. On Speed is a well-researched look at the discovery, marketing, and legal use (both good and bad) of amphetamines.

Benzedrine—The First Blockbuster Pharmaceutical

Although Gordon Alles was not the first to synthesize what he called beta-phenyl-isopropylamine (amphetamine), his own synthesis and injection of 50mg of the substance in 1929 set the compound on a billion dollar journey that isn't over yet. Alles seems to have rather liked it. It certainly piqued his scientific curiosity (and his business sense).

Alles was interested in the drug's ability to increase blood pressure and heart rate, and its potential to improve breathing. Eventually Alles joined up with pharmaceutical firm Smith, Kline and French (SKF). SKF had a new decongestant (identical to Alles' amphetamine) they called Benzedrine which was packaged in an inhaler. The company needed new drug discoveries, and Alles seemed like just the guy it needed. It turned out to be a good deal for both parties and together they turned Benzedrine and other amphetamines into highly profitable products through well-funded research, mass marketing, and by building cozy relationships with doctors.

The Amphetamine Pill Craze of the 50's and 60's

Another of amphetamine properties to be exploited was it's ability to suppress appetite. Doctors started proscribing it as a weight loss product. The fact that it made the user feel good and have more pep wasn't such a bad thing either.

The military used (and still uses) large quantities in combat operations. Tired housewives could mop a little longer, and feel good about it. Rasmussen does an excellent (if sometimes rather dry) job of chronicling the rise and fall of amphetamine as a diet pill and antidepressant throughout the 50's and 60's up until it's hard landing in the 70's.

Amphetamines for Attention Deficit Disorder

Amphetamine use for weight control and mood elevation gradually fell out of favor, and even became illegal, as the drug's serious side effects were finally recognized (and admitted to) by the pharmaceutical marketing machine and medical professionals. The drug companies needed another market.

One was found in the treatment of a growing problem of mysterious cause—attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The mind focuses better on speed, and contrary to common sense, amphetamines have a calming effect on a hyperactive mind—enter the next phase of research and marketing.

Although amphetamines may still be prescribed to treat cases of severe obesity, it continues in widespread use for treating ADD, ADHD, and narcolepsy. It will continue to be diverted from legal channels, and illicit manufacture goes on. Speed will remain a profitable, as well as dangerous, drug for quite some time to come.

On Speed, 2008, Nicolas Rasmussen, New York University Press, New York, NY