Methamphetamine and its Effects on the Body and Brain
Methamphetamine (n-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-2-amine) has a molecular weight of 149.237 g/mol and is an addictive man-made stimulant affecting the central nervous system (Methamphetamines: An Overview, n.d.). There are two different types of methamphetamine: l-meth (Levo-methamphetamine), and d-meth (Dextro-methamphetamine), which is the more common form. It is 2 to 10 times as physiologically active as l-meth (Crystal Meth Facts, n.d.). Methamphetamine comes in pill, powder, clear liquid, and rock form. Crystal meth can be smoked in glass pipes (similar to crack cocaine), but it can also be snorted, swallowed, or injected depending on its form. Injecting or smoking allows the drug to enter …show more content…
It has been discovered that dopamine neurons were still damaged even three years after quitting use of the drug. It is not known if damage is permanent, but damage lasts an incredibly long time. It has been found that methamphetamine use can also damage the neurons that contain serotonin. Changes in dopamine and serotonin neurons help to explain some of the long-term effects of methamphetamine use such as hallucinations. In addition, because the drug increases blood pressure, long-term use may have permanent damage to blood vessels in the brain, which can lead to bleeding in the brain and stokes. (History of Methamphetamine, 2006). Imaging studies have shown that there are a variety of small structural differences in that have been found in the brains of methamphetamine users. However, the evidence is too preliminary to conclude that the damage is due to the methamphetamine exposure (Kish, 2008). In animals, data shows that high doses of the drug damages striatal dopamine nerve terminals. Consistent findings from animals has shown that methamphetamine exposure might damage nigrostriatal dopamine neurons, leading to Parkinson’s disease in the future. In humans, however, there is no evidence for dopamine nerve terminal damage in those who take therapeutic doses (Kish, 2008). Repeated methamphetamine use depletes the brain’s stores of dopamine and damages dopamine and serotonin nerve terminals. The sustained and repeated release of central monoamines is largely the cause of the chronic neurologic effects of methamphetamine abuse (Rusyniak, 2013). In addition, most of the acute neurologic complications associated with methamphetamine use (strokes, seizures, agitation, and hyperthermia) are caused by the prolonged release of central monoamines and activation of the sympathetic nervous system that is responsible for
Methamphetamine (n-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-2-amine) has a molecular weight of 149.237 g/mol and is an addictive man-made stimulant affecting the central nervous system (Methamphetamines: An Overview, n.d.). There are two different types of methamphetamine: l-meth (Levo-methamphetamine), and d-meth (Dextro-methamphetamine), which is the more common form. It is 2 to 10 times as physiologically active as l-meth (Crystal Meth Facts, n.d.). Methamphetamine comes in pill, powder, clear liquid, and rock form. Crystal meth can be smoked in glass pipes (similar to crack cocaine), but it can also be snorted, swallowed, or injected depending on its form. Injecting or smoking allows the drug to enter …show more content…
It has been discovered that dopamine neurons were still damaged even three years after quitting use of the drug. It is not known if damage is permanent, but damage lasts an incredibly long time. It has been found that methamphetamine use can also damage the neurons that contain serotonin. Changes in dopamine and serotonin neurons help to explain some of the long-term effects of methamphetamine use such as hallucinations. In addition, because the drug increases blood pressure, long-term use may have permanent damage to blood vessels in the brain, which can lead to bleeding in the brain and stokes. (History of Methamphetamine, 2006). Imaging studies have shown that there are a variety of small structural differences in that have been found in the brains of methamphetamine users. However, the evidence is too preliminary to conclude that the damage is due to the methamphetamine exposure (Kish, 2008). In animals, data shows that high doses of the drug damages striatal dopamine nerve terminals. Consistent findings from animals has shown that methamphetamine exposure might damage nigrostriatal dopamine neurons, leading to Parkinson’s disease in the future. In humans, however, there is no evidence for dopamine nerve terminal damage in those who take therapeutic doses (Kish, 2008). Repeated methamphetamine use depletes the brain’s stores of dopamine and damages dopamine and serotonin nerve terminals. The sustained and repeated release of central monoamines is largely the cause of the chronic neurologic effects of methamphetamine abuse (Rusyniak, 2013). In addition, most of the acute neurologic complications associated with methamphetamine use (strokes, seizures, agitation, and hyperthermia) are caused by the prolonged release of central monoamines and activation of the sympathetic nervous system that is responsible for