When someone mentions methamphetamine also known as meth, the first thought that comes to mind is usually that of a notorious street drug with a flashy blue color and a distinct odor of cat in it. However, Meth is not actually a brand name; rather, it is actually a generic term for the chemical known as methamphetamine hydrochloride. Meth is an extremely powerful central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is primarily used as a recreational substance and less frequently as a prescription treatment for attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy. Although it is highly addictive, meth is not habit-forming like cocaine or heroin and is relatively safe when used properly (1).
Methamphetamines, also known as speed, is a central nervous system stimulant that quickly speeds up the human body’s systems. Methamphetamines often come in powder, pill, or crystal form to be taken. The most popular forms of taking Methamphetamines have been through snorting, smoking, and injection. Meth is generally an odorless, bitter substance, which is also soluble in liquid and is commonly dissolved into water (1a). It has been used in various countries as a recreational stimulant and as a medication for the treatment of certain medical conditions and to further boost the performance of athletes.
Methamphetamine was developed in the early 20th century from its parent compound, amphetamine, and was originally used as a bronchial inhaler and nasal decongestant. Just like amphetamine, methamphetamine increases activity and talkativeness, reduces appetite, and produces a pleasant sense of happiness or euphoria.
However, the difference between methamphetamine and amphetamine is that at a comparable dose, higher amounts of the drugs enter the brain, making it a more effective stimulant. It is also known to have a longer-lasting and more harmful effect on the central nervous system. These features make it a compound that is likely to be widely abused (2)(2a).
Methamphetamine as a nuerotransmitter.
Methamphetamines act as a neurotransmitter. They work by changing the levels of certain brain chemicals such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, which influence mood, energy, and sexual function. Like other neurotransmitters, the level of dopamine and other neurotransmitters depends on how much of the drug is consumed, duration of use, and the type of drug. People who abuse methamphetamines can experience euphoria, feelings of being “high,” extreme alertness, and increased energy; however, if too much of this drug is ingested, it can cause dangerous side effects on the brain such as hallucinations, paranoia, severe depression, agitation, memory loss, slurred speech, cramps, and memory loss (2b)(2c).
The most common route of intake for methamphetamines is an injection or snorting it. In addition, the drug can be purchased from illegal drugs vendors and just as crack cocaine or heroin. As with all illicit drugs, there are possible side effects of using methamphetamine. These side effects can range from mild to severe and include but are not limited to: hyperactivity, hallucinations, shakes, tremors, jitters, agitation, profuse sweating, diarrhea, heart palpitations, sexual excitement, depression, anxiety, irritability, and feelings of detachment (3).
When used recreationally, methamphetamine temporarily increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, thereby increasing the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The main effect of increased dopamine levels is stimulation of the nigrostriatal pathway in the brain, which causes feelings of euphoria, alertness, and energy. As with many drugs of abuse, the long-term effects of methamphetamine use on the brain are not known, but abusers have reported major health problems, including heart attacks, strokes, seizures, liver failure, and even death. It is very important to recognize the signs of abuse and get help if necessary (3a).
According to the most recent research, the drug causes neurotransmitter release in areas such as the brainstem, midbrain, hippocampus, and spinal cord. It activates voltage-gated sodium ion channels that generate a chemical reaction that produces a strong effect on neurotransmitter release. Other researchers have found that the drug has an effect on alpha-adrenergic and gamma-amino-aminobutyric acid receptors. Preliminary research indicates that the effects of methamphetamine on serotonin reuptake ability, however, are not known. In 2021, it was revealed that the drug may also act on the cysteine protein (3b).
Hallucinogens, including methamphetamine, are believed to produce the same types of psychological symptoms as those produced by illegal drugs. Additionally, methamphetamine cause elevated heart rates, extreme excitement, nervousness, anxiety, paranoia, and intense desire for the drug. It is often injected but can be taken in any form such as in the form of a white pill, which can be snorted. Also, crack addicts will inject the drug because the effects of cold ice are much stronger than that of a pill (4).
There have been several studies on the therapeutic effects of methamphetamine, and several people have experienced positive results. However, because of the research theme’s long half-life, the actual therapeutic effects of the drug may take years to become apparent to the individual. To better determine the benefits and risks of a methamphetamine dosage, you can look up various research themes online.
Methamphetamine; The Usage and Side Effects of Methamphetamine.
Methamphetamines belong to the stimulant class and it is known to be addictive and toxic with serious side effects. Methamphetamine was developed in the early 20th century to act as a nasal decongester and bronchial inhaler. Just as its parent compound, amphetamine, it can cause an increase in activity, talkativeness, and decrease in appetite, and a sense of pleasurable well-being or a state of euphoria. They easily disintegrate into liquid or alcohol when stirred. It is often snorted (taking small doses) or injected, but can also be taken orally in the form of a pill or powder (4a).
What are the common side effects of Methamphetamines?
They include hyperactivity, hallucinations, shakes, tremors, jitters, agitation, profuse sweating, diarrhea, heart palpitations, sexual excitement, depression, anxiety, irritability, and feelings of detachment (4b).
Another symptom of methamphetamine psychosis (5), which also occurs with the abuse of other drugs, is delusions. Individuals suffering from psychosis will frequently see and hear things that are not real, or see things that aren’t there. Oftentimes these delusions are very powerful and dangerous. Commonly, people who suffer from methamphetamine abuse will start seeing and hearing strange voices in the bedroom, or voices that enter their minds while they are asleep. They may hear voices calling their family or demanding that they “get the pills now.”(6)
Exposing yourself to methamphetamines without proper guidance or a proper prescription is highly risky. Meth abuse and addiction are the results of not paying attention to warning signs and you could severely jeopardize your health.
Short Term and Long Term Effects
Methamphetamine users also face many short-term and long-term health problems, which can be fatal if left untreated. Methamphetamine users often experience anxiety, irritability, depression, insomnia, frequent appetite loss, weight gain, nervousness, paranoia, shaking, jitteriness, dizziness, heart palpitations, memory loss, blurred vision, dry mouth, insomnia, dizziness, and lightheadedness. The most common short-term side effects of taking methamphetamine are anxiety, heart palpitations, and seizures. These symptoms generally diminish over time (6a).
In the long term, abusing methamphetamine or using it as a central nervous system stimulant can cause severe depression, heart disease, and aggressive behavior. The user’s perception and thought processes become distorted. Users can become compulsive, depressed, anxious, aggressive, thrill-seeking, and suicidal. It is also possible to experience hallucinations, delusions, and thought splashing.
Methamphetamine affects the functioning of the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, immune, endocrine, and health systems. It depresses the blood pressure, causes increased blood sugar levels, affects blood cell count, causes vasodilation (or swelling), constricts blood vessels, increases heart rate, increases the production of dopamine, affects the brain neurotransmitters serotonin, and affects the retina. It is estimated that about two million American residents use methamphetamine, according to the National Survey of Drug Administration (7).
In rare cases, “meth mouth” can lead to seriously debilitating consequences. If it is not treated, tooth decay can result; cavities can develop, which causes tooth loss and bone deterioration. If not treated, tooth decay can progress to abscesses and root canals. It has also been linked to the development of severe kidney failure, liver damage, and tuberculosis.
Other Effects of Methamphetamine
In rare, but significant cases, methamphetamine use can cause a psychosis-like state called “Mental status” syndrome. Symptoms include paranoia, delusions, mania, and depression. It has also been associated with violent behavior, such as impulse violence, rage, homicidal acts, hostility, destruction of property, sexual disturbances, aggressiveness, and hostility. These psychosis-like symptoms usually begin in the teenage years and are not reversible. Studies have indicated that the drug has potent effects on the brain and affects the ability of the human brain to create new memories, adapt to new stimuli, learn and remember things. Methamphetamine abuse has been shown to increase the risk of schizophrenia and also has been associated with abnormal behaviors like violence and aggression, especially when the drug is used excessively or without the person’s mental capacity being met.
How does methamphetamine affect the body?
Methamphetamine or ‘ice’ is a highly addictive stimulant that is closely related to amphetamine. It has the same effects as amphetamine, but is much stronger and has a more powerful effect on the body. This drug is increasingly used for recreational use, as it produces a lot of physical energy and feelings of mental euphoria. However, it also has many dangerous side effects and is well known to be extremely addictive (8).
Methamphetamine can damage every organ in the body, causing long-term effects that can be fatal if wrongly used. It can damage the heart and blood vessels, as well as damaging the liver, kidneys, and lungs. Methamphetamine abusers may also suffer from severe heart failure. Methamphetamine increases the level of serotonin in the brain, thereby increasing the ability of the user to focus and concentrate (8a).
Methamphetamines affect the body or system in three major ways: Serotonin is affected by this drug, noradrenalin and dopamine are affected by this drug, and GABA is affected by this drug. Serotonin and noradrenalin are both vital in the brain’s chemical systems and affect mood, appetite, sleep, and other functions. Both inhibit the reabsorption (absorption) of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. When the levels of these neurotransmitters are low, the brain can feel depression, anxiety, irritability, and other related disorders. When you take Methamphetamines you are likely to experience all three at once and the effects can be extremely severe, which is why people who take Methamphetamines often develop severe tolerance (9)(10).
Neurotransmitter systems control communication between neurons in the brain, and dopamine is one of the neurotransmitters affected by methamphetamine abuse. When a person who is abusing methamphetamine uses it, the dopamine in the system is altered and alters the regulation of impulses from the nerves. The result is the patient will start to feel uncontrollable, have increased sexual desire, and have hallucinations that are vivid and extremely distorted. In severe cases, the patient may go completely nuts and suffer psychotic symptoms that include seeing and hearing multiple things that aren’t there (11).
Besides affecting neurotransmitters, methamphetamine use can affect the transmission of information from the brain to the eye, which is called peripheral vasodilation. With peripheral vasodilation, the blood vessels in the eyes dilate, allowing more blood to flow to the eye. This increase in blood supply to the eye can be associated with a number of different vision problems such as blurring of vision, halos, blind spots, or blind spots that appear when the eye blinks. In the past, methamphetamine was often used to treat these problems with tiny doses that were taken orally, but these solutions often resulted in rebounds or increased heart rate and caused many other problems such as vomiting and nausea. Today, researchers are trying to find alternate ways for treating these problems with dopamine neurotransmitters that do not affect receptors and are much safer (12).
Neurotoxicity can also occur with long-term use of methamphetamine, especially if the user has had no previous experience with this substance. If you take methamphetamine on a regular basis, your dopamine levels become high, and this is known as neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicity can result in seizures, severe headaches, and even mental retardation or dementia. The S Sigma receptor is one reason why methamphetamine does not easily cross the blood-brain barrier. When this receptor is blocked, the influx of additional methamphetamine into the brain becomes less likely (13).
Other neurotransmitters are affected by methamphetamine use, including the ventral tegmental area (VTA), basal ganglia, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. The VTA produces a chemical, dopamine, that is responsible for coordinating behavior in the central nervous system (14). The prefrontal cortex controls emotion, thought, and motivation, and is involved in memory and decision making. Many neurotransmitters are affected by prolonged use of methamphetamine, and many of these changes can cause adverse changes to the brain over time. Heavy Meth users can develop serious brain disorders that can impair their ability to function normally.
What are the common signs and symptoms of Methamphetamines addiction?
People who take this drug will usually start out using it as a recreational (therapeutic) drug. Then, after becoming regular users they will start to experiment with different kinds of “meth,” such as crack, cocaine, crack-cocaine, powder cocaine, crank, etc., and develop a tolerance for the drug. When they try to stop using Methamphetamines, they may have serious withdrawal symptoms that include insomnia, vomiting, nausea, heart palpitations, diarrhea, sweating, chills, and shakes. When you are exposed to methamphetamines, it is very easy to become addicted and abuse it (15)(15a).
Issues associated with overuse of methamphetamine
Over usage of crystal meth is now linked to a variety of medical problems including heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. As noted, the primary driving force behind meth use is that it produces a rush of energy through the central nervous system. This energy, which is called epinephrine, surges through the blood vessels and into the brain. The surge of energy can cause people to feel alert, and as a result, they may experience a sensation of euphoria. Unfortunately, this feeling lasts only for a short time. Within a matter of a few minutes, the energy surge and the associated feelings of euphoria fade, leaving users tired, irritable, and unable to concentrate (16).
Effects of excessive release of dopamine.
The excessive release of dopamine, however, does not produce the “high” people are used to. Instead, it produces a state of paranoia, anxiety, and depression. Methamphetamine addicts find themselves experiencing symptoms such as nausea, and delusions. Their brains basically “turn off” and do not respond to stimuli the way that normal people’s brains react. Methamphetamine addiction destroys the brain’s ability to regulate mood, appetite, sex drive, and normal brain functions.
When an individual is afflicted with methamphetamine addiction, there are certain risk factors that make them more likely to experience depression and psychosis. First, individuals who abuse methamphetamine are more likely than the average person to suffer from depression and other mood disorders. People who abuse this drug are more likely to experience severe anxiety, especially when stress and traumatic events occur. People who abuse amphetamine are also more likely to experience hyperactivity disorder in children. The presence of a hyperactive child or adult immediately raises a red flag for medical professionals and should be treated for that reason.
Are there any other drug substances that are highly addictive as well as Methamphetamines?
There are several other drugs including ephedrine, hydrocodone, and codeine, which are highly addictive as well. Ephedrine was used as a cough suppressant in the days before Methamphetamines were legal. Hydrocodone has been used legally as a pain reliever and recreational drug since at least the 1930s; codeine is one of the world’s most prescribed pain relievers, and methamphetamines were actually first developed as an over-the-counter remedy for depression!
Common combinations of methamphetamine.
When it comes to common drug combinations, Methamphetamines and cocaine almost always produce a negative combination. However, some studies have shown that combining methamphetamines with alcohol can increase the effect. When this occurs, one should be very careful. Alcohol can easily alter brain chemistry and can increase the intensity of feelings experienced by the user.
Besides causing a physical dependency, methamphetamines can also cause a psychological addiction. This comes from how the drug provides a powerful stimulant while also creating a state of relaxation. As a result, users will frequently feel restless and irritable. They may also have a hard time sleeping and will be easily distracted. People who are highly addicted to methamphetamines may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, anxiety, paranoia, and heart palpitations. If someone has been abusing methamphetamine for quite a while, they may even experience depression.
So what do the United States government and the United States National Drug Control Administration both say about methamphetamines?
Both the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States National Drug Control Administration have issued numerous statements regarding the dangers of methamphetamines, including the fact that methamphetamines are highly addictive and may cause severe, even life-threatening conditions if used improperly or intentionally. The two organizations also claim that drug abusers who are not treated for their addiction are prone to resort to homicide and suicide because of psychological addiction. However, many experts are claiming that the true dangers of this particular drug are underestimated. The FDA itself acknowledges that meth abuse has reached epidemic proportions, with an estimated 26% of high school students surveyed saying they had tried methamphetamines at some point in their lives but did not report it.
The problems with using Methamphetamines are numerous and include things like hyperactivity, psychosis, depression, heart and liver damage, violent behavior, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, tics, and more. Not only is the chemical make-up of Methamphetamines highly addictive, but they are also highly toxic, leading to fatal respiratory issues and death from hypertension and heart failure. The immediate symptoms of overdose are often rapid weight loss and changes in blood pressure, which can result in death within ten minutes. Long-term users of Methamphetamines, whether through use, inhalation, injection, or eating, will develop an intense physical dependence upon them. This creates a problem since it means that users are likely to be unable to live without Methamphetamines, even when they are under medical supervision.
Another problem with using Methamphetamines, especially for those who are unaware of its toxic nature, is that the user may become addicted to the drug, which can lead to terrible side effects. This includes, among other things, developing an obsessive desire for the drug, which can eventually lead to a complete withdrawal and jail time. If you or someone you know is thinking about trying this substance, please seek help immediately by considering drug rehab.
The toxic nature of methamphetamine
Methamphetamine and cocaine are both highly toxic. Methamphetamine, in particular, has extremely high toxicity levels, with death occurring in less than one percent of cases. Cocaine has a half-life of about four to five hours, while methamphetamine has a half-life of approximately three to four hours. Both amphetamine products have been proven to cause heart attacks and respiratory arrest, and liver failure, kidney failure, and coma. Furthermore, users of cocaine are more likely to commit suicide. Methamphetamine, in particular, has been linked to all of these problems at least in preliminary research.
Abuse of Methamphetamine
Stimulant abuse has many common symptoms. Most notably, users will exhibit extreme excitement, often leading to uncontrollable physical actions. Another sign of abuse is that users will experience restlessness, irritability, and extreme levels of mental confusion. Methamphetamines can cause the central nervous system to become highly stimulated which can lead to seizures and respiratory failure. When taken in excess, methamphetamines can cause death from asphyxiation and toxic build-up in the blood.
Methamphetamines, Speed, and cocaine are highly addictive substances. Because of this, they should not be used for long periods of time without consulting your doctor first. If you decide to use them, use the utmost caution because these drugs can be very dangerous. Methamphetamines can cause sleeplessness, impaired judgment, impaired reflexes, and severe hypertension. If you begin to feel like you cannot stop using the drug, seek professional assistance right away (17).
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