Final answer:
Amphetamines, like methamphetamine and MDMA, are central nervous system stimulants that can cause both euphoria and adverse physical effects. GC/MS is a critical analytical technique used for identifying the presence and amount of amphetamines in unknown samples.
Step-by-step explanation:
Amphetamines are a class of potent stimulant drugs that influence the central nervous system and are commonly used for their euphoric and performance-enhancing effects. Common analytes of amphetamines include methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, commonly known as 'ecstasy'). These substances increase energy, attention, and alertness but can also cause significant adverse effects such as increased heart rate, high blood pressure, nausea, anxiety, and long-term depletion of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, leading to mood dysphoria and cognitive issues.
GC/MS, which stands for Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, is a sophisticated analytical method used to identify and quantify different substances within a sample. In the context of amphetamines, GC/MS can separate the individual components and analyze the molecular structure, helping to identify the presence and concentration of amphetamines in an unknown sample. This makes it an invaluable tool in forensic and clinical toxicology for detecting drug use or poisoning.