What Is Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine is an amphetamine derivative. In 1919 methamphetamine was first produced in Japan. During the 1940s the Japanese government distributed methamphetamine pills to soldiers, sailors and pilots as well as to arms factory workers, to mobilize all their reserves for the war effort. Pilots routinely used the drug to remain awake and alert for long periods on long distance bombing missions or kamikaze missions. Common slang terms for methamphetamine are “Crystal, Crystal-Meth, Chalk, Ice, Glass, Crank,” or “Speed.” A potent illegal drug, methamphetamine is commonly a white crystalline powder, but can be different colors depending on various methods of manufacturing. Methamphetamine can also be in pill form, clear crystals (ice) or liquid form. It can be smoked, sniffed, injected, or taken orally. Methamphetamine was taken extensively in the 1950s to help keep truckers awake, college students alert, and athletes on edge. Eventually, doctors realized the danger of the drug. During the 1980s, methamphetamine abuse skyrocketed. Its popularity has continued to climb and today has reached epidemic proportions. Methamphetamine is a drug of choice at all-night dance gatherings for college and high school-aged students. Since it is cheap to produce, and profit margins are high, methamphetamine continues to be plentiful. Illegal, clandestine laboratories manufacture most of the world’s methamphetamine. When DBA chemists take a close look at the methamphetamine seized from clandestine labs, they see bacteria and other germs that can make users sick. Some chemists characterize methamphetamine seized in illegal laboratories as “crawling with bugs.” These laboratories also harm the environment, since many toxic chemicals are used to make methamphetamine.

What Are The Physical Symptoms Of Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine, like cocaine, stimulates the central nervous system. It increases the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and rate of breathing. It dilates the pupils and produces euphoria, increases alertness, a sense of increased energy, and tremors. Taking methamphetamine results in a temporary sense of exhilaration, hyperactivity, loss of appetite, insomnia, increase in energy level and talkativeness. Chronic high doses of methamphetamine cause increased nervousness, irritability, hallucinations and paranoia. When the effects of methamphetamine wear off, users become depressed. Withdrawal from high doses produces severe depression. Individuals taking methamphetamine generally do not eat, sleep, or care for themselves. This leads to malnutrition, weight loss, a lower resistance to disease, and mental illness. Methamphetamine can be a lethal, dangerous, and unpredictable drug. For good reason, people who take large quantities are called “speed freaks.” Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase “Speed kills. . .” Eventually, it does, in almost every instance.

What Are Stimulants?

Stimulants are mind-altering chemicals that affect the central nervous system. All stimulants increase alertness, cause excitement, and can promote euphoria. This is why these drugs are commonly referred to as “uppers.” Common stimulants are cocaine, ritalin, methamphetamine, crack, and designer drugs.

What Are The Effects Of Stimulants?

Stimulants increase heart and respiratory rates, elevate blood pressure, dilate the pupils, and decrease appetite. Users can experience sweating, headaches, blurred vision, paranoia, dizziness, sleeplessness, and anxiety. Extremely high doses cause rapid and irregular heartbeats, tremors, loss of coordination, and physical collapse. Stimulants can cause a sudden increase in blood pressure (resulting in stroke), high fever, or heart failure. In addition to physical effects, users may be restless and moody. Individuals using large amounts of stimulants over time can develop hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.

What Are Amphetamines?

Anyone can obtain amphetamines legally by prescription. However, they are still illegal to abuse. While amphetamines were first synthesized in 1887, it was not until 1910, that amphetamines and related compounds were tested on laboratory animals. Another 17 years would pass before a researcher, looking for an effective nasal decongestant took amphetamines himself, and published his findings. Researchers discovered that when inhaled or taken orally, amphetamines dramatically reduce fatigue, increase alertness, and cause euphoria. Amphetamines, like other drugs, have been proclaimed as miracle drugs – the perfect diet pill or the greatest relief for fatigue. In 1967, at the height of the American Amphetamine Epidemic, physicians wrote 31 million prescriptions for diet pills. Today, physicians strictly limit amphetamine prescriptions. In 1970, the Food and Drug Administration restricted the legal use of amphetamines to three medical conditions:

Narcolepsy - a relatively rare disorder in which people fall asleep as many as 50 times a day if they stay in one position long. Low doses of amphetamines help keep narcoleptic persons awake.

Short-term weight programs – For the purpose of curbing appetite. However, due to the emotional and mental problems associated with weight gain taking appetite suppressants does not always produce weight loss.

Effects Of Ritalin?

Ritalin increases the heart and respiratory rates, elevates blood pressure, and decreases appetite. In addition, many users may experience sweating, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, sleeplessness, and anxiety. Extremely high doses can cause rapid and irregular heart- beats, tremors, loss of coordination, and exhaustion. Injecting Ritalin creates a sudden increase in blood pres- sure, which can cause a stroke, high fever, or heart failure.

What Is Ephedrine?

Ephedrine, a synthetic version of ephedra, it is found in many over-the-counter and prescription decongestants, antihistamilles, and weight loss products. It is the primary ingredient in methamphetamine and many designer drugs. Today, many individuals are using large doses of over-the-counter ephedrine to get high.

What Are The Effects Of Ephedrine?

Small amounts of ephedrine stimulate and constrict blood vessels. An overdose of ephedrine produces restlessness, muscle spasms, increased heart rate, dry throat, and chills. The physical effects last three to four hours, but users may feel out of touch with reality for several days.