Amphetamines were initially used clinically to treat which condition?

Amphetamines were initially clinically used to treat narcolepsy, a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks. The mechanism of action for amphetamines involves stimulating the central nervous system, which increases alertness and reduces the tendency to fall asleep. This made them particularly useful for individuals struggling with the uncontrollable episodes of sleep that characterize narcolepsy.

While amphetamines have also been explored for their potential effects on other conditions, such as obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), their original clinical application was specifically aimed at managing the symptoms of narcolepsy. Hence, the choice reflecting their initial therapeutic use is rooted in historical medical practices for this specific sleep disorder.