Methamphetamine
What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is a very addictive stimulant drug. Stimulants are a class of drugs that can boost mood, increase feelings of well-being, increase energy, and make you more alert but they also have dangerous effects like raising heart rate and blood pressure.
how is Methamphetamine abused?
Methamphetamine is swallowed, snorted, injected, with a needle, or smoked. "Crystal meth" is a large, usually clear crystal that is smoked in a glass pipe
How does Methamphetamine affect the brain?
Methamphetamine causes a release of the neurotransmitter dopamine. The release of small amounts of dopamine makes a person feel pleasure when they do things like listen to music, play video games, or eat tasty food. Methamphetamine’s ability to release dopamine very quickly in the brain produces the feelings of extreme pleasure, sometimes referred to as a “rush” or “flash,” that many users experience. After the effects have worn off, the brain has less dopamine, which can lead to depression.
What are other effects of Methamphetamine?
Some other effects of Methamphetamine are
Short term effect
- Feeling very awake and active
- Higher blood pressure
- Higher body temperatures
- Fast heart rate and irregular heartbeat
Long term effect
- Anxiety and confusion
- Problems sleeping
- Mood swings
- Severe weight loss
Can you get addicted?
Yes, you can get addicted to methamphetamine quickly. That’s when a person seeks out the drug over and over, even after they want to stop and even after it has caused damage to their health and other parts of their life.
Can you die from Methamphetamine?
Yes, it is possible. Methamphetamine can raise your body temperature so much that you pass out. If not treated right away, this can cause death. Death can also occur from heart attack or stroke caused by the drug’s effects on the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which raises heart beat and blood pressure and constricts blood vessels.
How may teens abuse this drug?
In the past year 8th graders abused Methamphetamine by .5%, 10th graders abused by .8% and 12th graders by .6% percent.
What should you do if someone needs help?
Call national suicide prevention center @ 1800- 662- Talk