Facts on Methamphetamine
Meth is a drug which is commonly used by teens and adults alike. It is usually found in powder form. However its variation known as crystal meth clearly resembles glass fragments and is bluish white in colour. The chemical configuration is similar to that of amphetamine which can help treat ADHD and narcolepsy which is a sleeping disorder.
Meth is also known as crystal, speed, chalk, ice and crank.
How can meth be used?
Meth can be used in a variety of ways which include the following
- Meth can be inhaled or smoked through a cigarette
- It can be swallowed in a pill form
- It can be snorted in a powder form
- It can be injected or dissolved in alcohol
The high from a meth does is quick to occur but it is also just as quick to disappear. This is why people take in repeated doses in a binge and crash pattern. Most people are so much into meth that they essentially give up on sleep and food and continue to use meth throughout feeling a continuous high.
Why does it give an immediate high?
The main reason why meth is so popular is because of the instant high that it provides. It helps activate the production of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a feel good hormone and can help a person reach a happy state.
The immediate release of dopamine causes a person to reinforce the drug taking behaviour in a repeated pattern.
What are the short term effects of meth?
The effects of meth on the body are similar to those of other stimulant drugs like cocaine and amphetamine. Effects include:
- Loss of sleep and wakefulness
- Low appetite
- Rapid and fast breathing
- High blood pressure and temperature
What are the long term effects of meth?
There are quite a few drastic long term effects of repeatedly using meth. These include the following
- Those who use meth through injections are at a high risk of contracting HIV and other such diseases mainly because of repeated needle use.
- Since it’s a drug it can greatly hinder a person’s ability to think rationally and makes them indulge increasingly in risky behaviour which includes unprotected sex.
- It can make the progression of HIV even faster. Studies have shown that people who have HIV and use meth have more chances of raid nerve damage compared to those who have HIV but do not use meth.
- It can result in severe loss of appetite eventually the person would start losing weight and could even become underweight
- It can lead to distinctive dental problems which in other words is also known as meth mouth
- Lead to intense itching which can cause a great many sores to develop in patches all over the skin
- Paranoia and violent behaviour which are both psychological issues which can have dire consequences.
Though stopping the use of meth can reverse a few of these effects but there are some long term effects which won’t be reversed.
For testing options see: methtestingkit.com.au/training
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