They speed up the messages going to and from the brain to the body. Most amphetamines are produced in backyard laboratories and sold illegally. People who buy amphetamines illegally are often buying the drugs mixed with other substances that can have unpleasant or harmful effects. They can be in the form of powder, tablets, capsules, crystals or red liquid. They can come as a white through to a brown powder, sometimes even orange and dark purple.
Amphetamines have a strong smell and bitter taste.
The capsules vary considerably in colour and are sometimes sold in commercial brand shells. Tablets vary in colour and can be a cocktail of drugs, binding agents, caffeine and sugar. This form is on the increase. The reddish-brown liquid is sold in capsules. MDMA, or 'ecstasy' as it is more commonly known, is another designer drug-related to amphetamines.