Methamphetamine And Its Effects On The Brain

“I want to be addicted to meth!” Have you ever heard anyone say this? While millions of people use methamphetamines, it would be difficult to find a person that had the desire to become addicted to it. Despite a radical increase in the number of people using this drug and the terrible consequences of doing so, it has recently propelled in popularity. Meth addiction is so common because the use of the drug is prevalent in many areas and because there is little knowledge about the risks involved. Few people comprehend the long-term effects of meth on the brain and the body. Methamphetamine is an extremely powerful drug and is so dangerous because it only takes one time to become seriously

How much do you consider you distinguish about methamphetamine? Meth is a very thought-provoking subject. Over one million people are captivated to and are using this synthetic drug in this world, today. This number upsurges each and every day. Meth is used frequently in a lot of teenagers’ lives. Teens commonly get addicted by peer pressure or either they think they will get responsiveness by using it. There are also numerous adults that use this drug as well. It’s very addictive and you can undoubtedly get hooked on to this illegal stimulant.

By 1919, Japan started producing methamphetamine which was cheaper and more potent than amphetamine. It was produced in a crystalline powder form and was able it to be dissolved in water, making it easier for it to be injected. This form of amphetamine is still legally produced in the US and is being sold under the name of Desoxyn. (Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, 2010, para. 1-3)

Even though Desoxyn (pharmaceutical grade of methamphetamine) is a medication advised for weight reduction, ADHD, narcolepsy and depression. Methamphetamine is a life-threatening dangerous drug. because it 's highly addictive stimulant that burns up the body’s resources, creating a devastating dependence that can only be relieved by taking more of the drug. In addition when repeatedly taken over time, methamphetamine can damage nerve cells located in the brain’s pleasure center, causing irreversible harm to the brain. Making meth is also, an extreme hazard because meth labs produce severely toxic fumes. So toxic that homes/locations priorly containing meth labs can not be resold for an extensive period of time. The epidemic of methamphetamine abuse, causes devastating damage to teeth and oral tissues. Considering I want to be a dental hygienist, it important that I know what to look for, how to treat, and how it affects my patients.

and easier to produce, it was developed in Japan in 1919. Some factors that contribute to

The addiction of methamphetamine amongst juvenile’s and adults has reached epidemic proportions that affect the individual, families and communities. Methamphetamine abuse has crossed all social economic boundaries that have negatively impacted law enforcement, social and clinical services. According to Anglin, Burke, Perrochet, Stamper and Dawud-Noursi (2000), methamphetamine, also known as meth, crystal, or speed, is a substance that affects the central nervous system creating a stimulant effect that can be injected, smoked, snorted, or ingested orally. Individuals who use meth for an extensive period of time tend to become addicted and will likely need to continue to use meth at high levels for its effects to continue to provide the euphoric symptoms and sensations. Anglin, et al, also describe methamphetamine as a derivative of amphetamine, this form of amphetamine was often used for medication purposes in the 1950’s and 1960’s to treat symptoms of depression and obesity. Durell, Kroutil, Crits-Christoph, Barchha, and Van Brunt (2008), also stated that illicit methamphetamine use is a public health concern in the United States with an increase use among teens and young adults in the 1990s. The Mental Health Services Administration conducted a national survey on meth use in the United States and found that currently as least a half a million of Americans used or have used methamphetamine. Meth use is an epidemic that is slowly becoming a destructive

The medical use of amphetamines was common in the 1950/60's when they were used to help cure depression and to help the user lose weight. An amphetamine is a drug that is a stimulant to the central nervous system. Amphetamines are colorless and may be inhaled, injected, or swallowed. Amphetamines are also used non-medically to avoid sleep, improve athletic performance, or to counter the effects of depressant drugs. Amphetamines are addictive. Because of this, when the user discontinues use or reduces the amount that they use, withdrawal symptoms may occur. Some withdrawal symptoms are as follows: severe exhaustion, deep sleep lasting from 24 to 48 hours, psychotic reaction, extreme hunger, deep depression, anxiety reactions, and long but

Sometimes people forget that methamphetamine hurts not only individuals, but families, neighborhoods and entire communities as well. You might not be using methamphetamine or know anyone who is - but that doesn't mean it's not having an effect on you. A methamphetamine lab can operate unnoticed in a neighborhood for years, causing serious health hazards to everyone around. The problems with meth are widespread. Children and the general public may be affected by the fumes from meth labs operating in or near their homes. The prison system is overwhelmed by the needs of incarcerated meth users. Hospital emergency departments (ED) report that meth is a significant drug problem. The cost of meth labs to society is large. A study done by the University of Arkansas found the cost to prevent abuse in one county to be around $20 million. Although many measures have been placed, abuse has been steadily increasing. In 2003, there was a 68% increase in workers who tested positive. Surprisingly, over 70% of users are actively employed. In particular, the lab problem is growing significantly in the Midwest and Mid Atlantic areas since they migrated from California in the early 80s.

Methamphetamines (Meth) cause a wide array of problems with its users, a lot of which are permanent. Meth’s affects range from neurological issues, alertness, paranoia, and aggression. It also leads to psychological and physical disorders. Because Meth is a stimulant, it can cause the user to be up for days and even weeks at a time causing stress to the body and can result in over exerting oneself and inevitably something will give. Personal problems from users will be talked about, as well as scientific studies on the Meth epidemic.

Methamphetamine is a recreational drug that affects the central nervous system. It was discovered in 1893. Methamphetamine is usually in the form of a white odorless powder. The powder can be compressed into pill form, another form is crystal meth. Crystal meth comes in chunky clear pieces and is commonly smoked. Meth produces a large amount of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine allows for a happy feeling or euphoria. In most cases following the intense euphoria is the crash, which can cause a person to become lethargic and depressed. Prolonged use of meth can cause rotting teeth, scars and severe weight loss. Low doses of methamphetamine can reduce appetite, increase alertness. Larger doses can cause seizures, violent behavior and delusions. Methamphetamine has been reported to lift mood and increase sexual desire. Methamphetamine is a highly addictive synthetic drug. Some common nicknames are Meth; Speed; Crank; Glass; Crystal; Tweek. When methamphetamine is used with another drug there are different names as well, such as Mexican Speed Balls, Biker Coffee. Methamphetamine can be used by smoking, snorting, orally and injected. Injecting and smoking the drug will result in a rapid feeling of intense euphoria. In World War II, methamphetamine was distributed to the German soldiers. It would enhance the soldier’s abilities and reduce appetite. In modern

Drug is "a chemical substance such as a narcotic or a hallucinogen that affects the central

Methamphetamine, (a synthetic drug with more rapid and lasting effects than amphetamine, use illegally as a stimulant and as a prescription drug to treat narcolepsy and maintain blood pressure) was develop from its parent drug, amphetamine, (a synthetic, addictive, mood-altering drug, use illegally as a stimulant and legally as a prescription drug to treat children with ADD and adults with narcolepsy) and was used originally in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers (NIH, 2015). Meth is a dangerous and potent chemical and, as with all drugs, a poison that first acts as a stimulant, but then begins to systematically destroy the body, meth is a synthetic (man-made) chemical. Meth is commonly manufactured in illegal, hidden laboratories, mixing

My neighbor was a smart and athletic kid when we first met, but following his parents’ divorce he suffered from substance abuse. At times we could see cuts in his nose, smell smoke from his room, and notice that his teeth were not as white and straight as they used to be. As a kid, I was not aware of the implications of his physical changes, but as time passed I learned he had become addicted to drugs such as cannabis and methamphetamine. Although we have covered cannabis and amphetamines in class, I am interested in the recovery stages of methamphetamine abuse and its impact on the brain and social relationships. Overall, meth use has declined over the past decade but the meth abuse problem still stands and there is no FDA-approved drug treatment

The drug produces a high that appears and disappear very quickly, which encourages people to keep taking the drug during binge sessions. Some people will even give up sleep and food in order to achieve the euphoric high that is caused by the release of high levels of dopamine. Like other drugs, methamphetamines can cause health problems, including increased heartbeat, respiration, and temperature and overdose.