Final answer:
Historically, amphetamines were used for a range of medical conditions, but due to their high potential for abuse and serious health risks, their uses are now heavily restricted to specific conditions like ADHD.
Step-by-step explanation:
Amphetamines, including amphetamine and methamphetamine, were previously used in medicine for various conditions that are no longer considered acceptable. The first pharmaceutical amphetamine, Benzedrine, was used to treat a wide array of conditions due to its euphoric, cognitive, and physical effects such as increased arousal, fatigue resistance, and improved cognitive control. However, at high doses, it could induce psychosis and physical harm. Similarly, methamphetamine, a more potent amphetamine derivative, was used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity. Historically, MDMA, another amphetamine derivative, was briefly employed by psychotherapists due to its empathy-enhancing effects, but due to its high risk of abuse and health consequences, it is largely prohibited for medical use.
Amphetamines act by inhibiting the reuptake of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, leading to increased synaptic concentration. Although these drugs are still prescribed for ADHD due to their ability to increase neurotransmitter activity in brain areas associated with impulse control, the rise of drug addiction and the potential for harmful side effects have greatly restricted their medical use. Amphetamines are commonly abused for their euphoriant and performance-enhancing effects, despite significant health risks such as mood dysphoria, cognitive problems, and neurotoxicity with compulsive use.