Benzedrine: What is it?

Benzedrine, often known by its nickname “bennies”, was a wonder drug for multiple health problems. That is, until it started killing people.

Benzedrine, often called by its street name “bennies”, is a fixture in popular culture. The drug has shown up in media ranging from the Sylvia Plath novel The Bell Jar to the REM song What’s The Frequency, Kenneth? to the TV series The Man In the High Castle. Because the drug had its heyday in the 1930s through the 1960s, some people may not be familiar with it. However, before the FDA stepped in to regulate it, Benzedrine was very common.

What Is Benzedrine?

Benzedrine was a brand name for the drug amphetamine. First created by a Romanian chemist in1887, it was rediscovered and patented in 1932 by the American scientist Gordon Alles. At the time, Alles was trying to create a drug to help with nasal congestion. Today, we know a group of drugs asamphetamines, as named by Alles, characterized by the similar effects they have on the body.

After patenting the drug, Alles joined forces with the drug company Smith, Kline, and French, now known as GlaxoSmithKline. The company heavily marketed the agent as a wonder drug. Prescription drugs did not exist at the time, so at first, the drug was sold over the counter.

Benzedrine gained commercial success as:

• A study aid for college students as early as the 1930s;
• A tool to keep American soldiers awake, confident and focused during World War II;
• A diet and mood pill for housewives in the 1950s and 1960s;
• A muse and energy booster to artists during the Beatnik period of the 1960s.

The drug became available in a couple of different forms.

Why Did Benzedrine Use Decrease?

Starting in the early 1960s, the dangers of Benzedrine began to gain attention. People who used Benzedrine sometimes struggled with side effects likepsychosis. Further, doctors began to see that people were becomingaddictedto the drug. A high-profileexposéin Life magazine in 1968 revealed how some doctors were giving the drug as a weight-loss agent to patients. The article also revealed several deaths linked to using the drug in this manner.

One of the most important factors in decreasing Benzedrine use was the Controlled Substances Act of 1971. With this law, Benzedrine became a Schedule II controlled substance, requiring doctors and pharmacists to keep detailed records. The government was also able to reduce the amount of Benzedrine that was produced. After this time, it was much more difficult for patients to acquire Benzedrine.

Is Benzedrine Still Available?

Although the brand name Benzedrine is no longer used, it is still legal, albeit highly controlled. The generic drug amphetamine is still available and can lead to addiction among users. Since being regulated by the Drug Enforcement Agency as a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Benzedrine is now sold under brand names including:

• Adzenys
• Dyanavel
• Evekeo

Benzedrine was the first amphetamine used for medical purposes. Since its creation, other chemically related drugs have been discovered and are also available. These include:

• Adderall
• Mydayis
• Dexedrine
• ProCentra
• Vyvanse
• Zenzedi

Street drugs chemically related to Benzedrine are also still available. For example, crystal meth is a chemical cousin to Benzedrine and is known to be highly addictive.

What Is Benzedrine Used For Today?

Although Benzedrine itself is rarely used today, the active drug in Benzedrine, amphetamine, and some related chemicals are still used. They remain Schedule II controlled substances. Conditions they treat include:

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Binge eating disorder
• Narcolepsy

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