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 Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant drug sometimes called crank, ice, glass, crystal, or speed. It is snorted, swallowed, smoked or injected.
It produces a euphoric high that often lasts for up to 10 or 12 hours. Users often stay up for days while using meth.
This lack of sleep often produces paranoia and erratic behavior. Other signs of meth use include rapid speech, repetitive behavior, focused attention on objects or tasks to the exclusion of more important responsibilities, and a lack of appetite, resulting in excessive weight loss. As the addiction to meth progresses, users sometimes develop sores on their bodies from excessive scratching and picking at their skin. Rotting teeth also occurs with continued use. Damage to teeth occurs because of a combination of lack of hygiene as well as some of the chemicals contained in the drug.
Why is Meth so Addictive?
Meth releases excessive amounts of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is the chemical in the brain responsible for feelings of pleasure. It is naturally released when we eat and have sex. It is part of the body’s natural response to things that promote our survival. These natural releases of dopamine amount to 125 to 175 percent of normal. Meth releases up to 1100 percent of the normal amount of dopamine. Anything that produces that much more pleasure than sex can create addiction rapidly.
For more of an explanation on the effects of meth on the brain, check out the following links:
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