Science & technology

                                                                          Chemistry

Meth Chemistry
“What’s Cookin’?”
                 Methamphetamine History
Amphetamine synthesized 1887 by German chemist,
L. Edeleano
Methamphetamine was first produced by
Dr. Nagayoshi Nagiai of Tokyo Imperial University in
1888 by reducing ephedrine with HI & Red Phosphorus
Methamphetamine synthesized from methylamine
and phenyl-2-propoanone 1919 by Japanese researcher, A. Ogata
Early 1900s: Western civilization discovers benefits of ephedrine and
pseuodephedrine as brochodilators and nasal decongestants. Fear
that ma huang plants will run out (source for the herb ephedra).
1927 (USA): Researcher Gordon Alles discovers that amphetamine
works as a substitute for ephedrine. Amphetamine starts being

Fig:1

synthesized as substitute for ma huang.
1930: Amphetamine discovered to increase blood pressure.
Marketed in 1932 as “benzedrine” in an over-the-counter inhaler to
treat nasal congestion
1935: Amphetamine’s stimulant effect first recognized and used to
treat narcolepsy (compulsion to sleep)

Meth History Cont.

• 1938: First published report of amphetamine addition and psychosis 
• 1940: “Methedrine” commercial trade name for methamphetamine
• Both amphetamine and methamphetamine used as performance
  enhancer by Japanese, German and Americans in WWII. Led to
  addiction problems in Japanese after the war.
• 1950-53: amphetamine distributed to US troops in Korean war
• 1951: U.S. Congress passes a law requiring prescriptions for all oral
  and injectable amphetamines used commonly to treat obesity,
  narcolepsy and depression.
• 1954: Height of Japanese addiction: 2 million users in 88.5 million
  population
• 1959: first report of IV injection of contents of benzedrine inhaler.
  OTC Benzedrine Inhalers within drawn from market. OTC
  Methedrine inhalers offered.