Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth is a synthetic stimulant and complex substance which has long-lasting effects and can alter your’s brains chemistry and structure. Many people don’t exactly know the actual impact of having this drug. Even, I didn’t know this earlier. However, after I joined a voluntary campaign to spread. awareness about several drugs, I got to know about this.
Actually, it’s highly addictive. And if easily available then it can become a huge problem due to the side effects of meth addiction. Do you also have some related questions in mind? What is meth, how does meth affects the brain and what are the effects of drug abuse? Alright, I’ll tell you all about it.
So I’ll Start with the Basic Introduction About Meth
Meth, crystal meth, or methamphetamine is basically a central nervous system stimulant. Although it has some medical usage like for the treatment of narcolepsy and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), the problem arises with its recreational usage.
It is very powerful and addictive. This shiny white and blue glass-like stimulant is similar to amphetamine chemically.
Just like any other stimulant, the consumption of meth also releases an abundant amount of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine.
The release of these neurotransmitters creates a feeling of extreme euphoria accompanied by high energy. You don’t feel vulnerable and there are a lot of other psychoactive reactions.
How all these starts can not straight up be proved. Meth is prepared by a combination of various substances, like antifreeze, battery acid, or drain cleaner. So, the exact process of Meth’s addiction cannot be stated. The issue here is that you can not clarify what ingredient has what reaction.
But based on the composition we can assume that it is highly combustible. Some ingredients are toxic. Overall, it’s very dangerous to consume or manufacture.
Impact of Meth Consumption on the Brain- I’m Sure You Would Like to Know
As we have seen above there are psychoactive reactions, and neurological changes in the body too. So, when you are into chronic methamphetamine abuse the brain eventually gets altered and starts operating in a different manner based on what stimulation it is getting.
Since it is a very powerful drug, not only does it boost dopamine, norepinephrine, and dopamine but it also inhibits reuptake.
It basically acts in a manner that affects directly and even leads to the release of stored dopamine. The reward system of the brain is completely taken over by meth, and so is motor control and reinforcement.
I have gone through various pieces of research. All of them show how meth abuse can lead to decreased gliogenesis, increased glutamate calcium in the brain, cytoskeletal damage, and sometimes permanent brain damage. At some level, it can be positive but if intake exceeds the required limit, the results could be worse.
The most common effects include increased confidence and awareness along with quick thought processing and euphoria. It primarily affects three neurotransmitters in the following way.
1. Dopamine
A dopamine surge is created by meth consumption. It is the brain chemical that is responsible for reward and motivation. The effect of meth addiction is that release of dopamine s so much that a sudden spike is created which causes a very drastic high and extreme effect on the brain as well.
2. Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine is basically related to the fight-or-flight response. It leads to an increase in confidence, aggression, and even alertness. It works dually both like a hormone and a neurotransmitter. So, it also affects blood flow, pressure, and heart rate.
3. Serotonin
Although the neurotransmitter is used in various body parts, for the brain it works as an enhancer and regulator. It also affects the feelings of happiness and well-being. With meth, this becomes overwhelming, as it produces a flood.
I’ll Tell You About the Short-Term Effects of Methamphetamine
There are a lot of effects of meth on your brain and body. In short term-
- Symptoms, like awful breath, clenched jaw, decreased appetite, diarrhea, dilated pupils, and excessive sweating.
- It also leads to increased wakefulness and physical activity, faster breathing, and irregular heartbeat along with increased blood pressure and body temperature.
- People also experience insomnia, nausea, teeth grinding, and tremors.
Now, the Long-Term Effects of Methamphetamine
Chronic users who inject meth are at risk of even contracting diseases like HIV and Hepatitis B. Meth also leads to alteration of judgment which in turn even affects your decision making which can lead to uninformed or less thoughtful decisions.
It has been seen that people who are already infected with HIV can experience worse symptoms from meth consumption. Other long-term symptoms are extreme weight loss, addiction, and dental problems.
Along with intense itching, anxiety, confusion, memory loss, sleeping problems, and sleeping problems. People also experience paranoia and hallucinations due to long-term meth usage. Neurologically, it affects the verbal learning process making it less effective.
Can a Person Overdose on Methamphetamine?
Given the effects of meth consumption, and the euphoria that one experiences, it is highly likely that a person can end up consuming a large amount which is an overdose and it can have serious toxic reactions on your body, which could even lead to death.
NIH studies have shown that meth overdose deaths have increased three times between the year 2015 to 2019. That’s very sad!
It basically starts slow, but when the body becomes accustomed to a certain stimulus over time, its effects start fading and it requires more of the drug concentration to achieve the same level of excitation. This process ends up in the development of addiction which can sometimes lead to an overdose.
I hope you now have an understanding that it can have very long-lasting and dangerous effects on your brain. It could be in any form, like memory loss, movement issues, emotional control, and even attention problems.
There are also some severe reactions possible like anti-social behaviour and even dementia-like symptoms leading to brain damage. So, consumption should be done keeping in mind all these aspects and consequences or only according to your doctor’s advice.
Last Updated on May 1, 2024 by Pragya
Authors
Methamphetamine, a potent stimulant, significantly impacts the brain’s chemistry and structure. Initially used for medical purposes, its recreational use leads to severe addiction. Meth releases neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, inducing euphoria and heightened energy. Chronic abuse alters brain function, disrupting normal operation. Meth’s composition, including hazardous ingredients, poses dangers during consumption and production.
The inclusion of short-term and long-term effects, both physiological and neurological, offers a vivid picture of the toll meth takes on individuals. From increased wakefulness and physical activity to the risk of diseases like HIV and Hepatitis B among chronic users, the article effectively communicates the severe consequences of methamphetamine abuse. This serves as a valuable resource for individuals, families, and communities grappling with the devastating impact of methamphetamine.