Amphetamine is a potent central nervous system stimulant of the phenethylamine class that is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. It is also used as a performance enhancer and nootropic, and recreationally as an aphrodisiac and euphoriant. Amphetamine increases neurotransmitter activity in the brain, with its most pronounced effects on norepinephrine and dopamine. At therapeutic doses, this causes emotional and cognitive effects such as euphoria, change in libido, increased wakefulness, and improved cognitive control. It induces physical effects such as decreased reaction time, fatigue resistance, and increased muscle strength. Amphetamine exists as two enantiomers, levoamphetamine and dextroamphetamine, and normally refers to an equal parts mixture of the two enantiomers in its free base form. It is a prescription medication in many countries, and unauthorized possession and distribution of amphetamine are often tightly controlled due to the significant health risks associated with uncontrolled or heavy use.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphetamine

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1860:

The Pony Express, a mail service that became the most direct means of long distance communication to the American West, began operation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pony_Express

1888:

The first of eleven unsolved brutal murders of women committed in or near the impoverished Whitechapel district in the East End of London, occurred. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitechapel_murders

1948:

The Marshall Plan, an economic recovery program established by US Secretary of State George Marshall to assist the post-World War II re-building of Europe, was signed into law. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Plan

1971:

The Japanese tokusatsu television series Kamen Rider premiered, marking the beginning of the long-running Kamen Rider franchise. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamen_Rider_Series

2013:

The northeastern section of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, experienced several flash floods that claimed the lives of at least 100 people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Argentina_floods

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

snail mail: (retronym) Postal mail, especially as compared to email. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/snail_mail

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Teach me, my God and King, In all things thee to see And what I do in any thing, To do it as for thee.   --George Herbert https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/George_Herbert