Premium Essay

Meth

In:

Submitted By kalinoel
Words 396
Pages 2
Methamphetamine is an odourless, white crystalline powder with a bitter taste. It is soluble in liquid and can be injected, snorted, ingested, or smoked. It is a central nervous system stimulant drug that increases the release of dopamine and leads to high levels of the chemical in the brain. Dopamine is responsible for the pleasure functions of the brain that relate to reward, motivation, the experience of pleasure, and motor function. The production of excessive dopamine causes an intense rush of pleasure followed by a euphoric high that can last up to twelve hours.

The abuse of methamphetamine is associated with a number of negative consequences, which include cognitive dysfunctions and neurological damage. Effects of chronic abuse are depression, psychosis and psycho-motor dysfunctions. Neuropsychological abnormalities include attention deficits, memory problems and poor decision-making.

The use of methamphetamine is associated with long-term biochemical and structural effects on the brain and significantly changes how the brain functions. The excessive production of dopamine causes neuropathological changes in the brain and has a neurotoxic effect on the brain cells that store dopamine and serotonin. These changes include decreases in the levels of dopamine transporters as well as decreases in the density of serotonin transporters in various parts of the brain. Studies have demonstrated that daily use of methamphetamine results in increased cell death in the brain, which would have a negative effect on prefrontal cortex functioning.

Changes in the activity of the dopamine system are associated with reduced motor skills and impaired verbal learning. Studies have also revealed that chronic use of methamphetamine causes severe structural and functional changes in those areas of the brain associated with emotion and memory, which could explain many of the

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Meth

...the man pulling a gun on a woman and her baby just to get a quick high. It truly scares me to death. I have always been told how terrible drugs were and to never be near them. Yes, I knew drugs were bad but I never truly understood until the day I had witnessed it all happen right in front of me by someone I have looked up to my entire life. Methamphetamine, ice, speed, glass, and crank are all terms used to describe meth. Meth is a white or yellowish crystalline powder, or it can be crystal like, or in pill form. Some “recipes” may vary but most of the key ingredients are acetone, lithium, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, pseudoephedrine, and sodium hydroxide. Out of all of the drugs in the world meth is rated one of the number one most highly addictive drug, and that is why all of the commercials say all it takes is once. Meth can do some terrible changes to your appearance. Weight loss is huge and you lose so much weight you look deathly ill. Your teeth start to rot and fall out to the point where they will crumble up like powder in your hands. Meth users bodies are typically starved of nutrients needed to maintain oneself. Hair loss, foul body odor, and sickly looking skin are also appearance changes that are made along with scabs from “picking” at the body. The picking or tweaking of the body is caused by a sensation of feeling bugs underneath the skin and the “user” tries to pick them out. Methamphetamine can cause significant changes to the brain. The drug can...

Words: 769 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Life or Meth

...Life or Meth? "CRYSTAL brings out so much hate in a person; it can take a beautiful soul and turn it into your worst nightmare. It is life's worst enemy!" - A meth addict's partner According to Frontline.com “There are 1.4 Million meth users in America, and the number is continuously rising.” Methamphetamines are one of the most popular and easiest drugs to find in America. Methamphetamines can be created or “cooked” by using the most common chemicals that can be purchased over the counter in any store, which is the reason why this particular drug appeals to people of all ages. Methamphetamines are created in “Meth Labs” which can be located in any particular type of neighborhood or area in the United States and the numbers of Meth Labs is increasingly growing throughout the past years. Meth is a very dangerous and psychologically addicting drug that acts as a stimulant to the nervous system; Meth heightens a person’s awareness and can also create excitement or euphoria. Meth has had a devastating affect not only to our economy, but especially to the future children of our society. Methamphetamines are commonly known as speed, meth, or chalk. In its smoked form it is referred to as ice, crystal, crank, or glass. Meth is not only an extremely addictive drug but it is also easily prepared or “cooked” in homes nationwide. Unlike any other drugs which mainly originate from natural resources, Meth includes an assortment of dangerous chemicals. Meth will cause people to do...

Words: 2030 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

The Effects of Meth

...not only a human’s body, but can also ruin their life. Methamphetamine also known as meth, crank, chalk, speed, ice, etc. is a drug made from many different harmful chemicals including battery acid and many different poisons including many different cleansers that can be found under most people's kitchen or bathroom sinks. When meth is consumed it, gives the user a very powerful high that increases energy, gives false confidence, decreases appetite, and causes the user not to sleep. Meth has many negative effects on a human being including many health problems to the user’s body and mind, and generally ruins the user’s personal relationships. While many users’ lives are ruined by using the drug, there is still ways to overcome the addiction and live a sober life. In general the drug methamphetamine does terrible things to the human body and mouth. Meth can cause major havoc to the human mouth. Meth is made from chemicals that are hazardous to the human body. Ingredients as harmful as battery acid are included in the drug. These chemicals can easily rot through the user’s teeth, also when a meth user is high they often crave sugar which also rots away at the teeth. Methamphetamine is a major appetite suppressant, so quite often when someone is high on the drug they do not eat. It is very common for a meth addict to be very skinny and quite often they are underweight. When someone is high on meth they often believe there are parasites or bugs crawling under their skin which can...

Words: 1499 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Meth Mouth

...develops quickly, requiring higher dosages or frequency. By the 1960’s Crystal Meth was being manufactured illegally in many homes. With eighty dollars’ worth of simple items that you can easily acquire from your local pharmacy and hardware store, you can turn to a profit of one-thousand dollars. It is no wonder this has become such an epidemic. With this new discovery also came the dental condition called Meth Mouth. Meth mouth is a dental condition often characterized by severe tooth decay and loss of teeth. The condition got its name toward the latter part of 2004 when it started becoming a major problem for the corrections departments and local jails. The influx of persons with these conditions prompted city officials to look for the root cause. The exact cause of the condition is unknown as of today but grinding of the teeth also known as bruxism and dry mouths known as xerostomia are believed to be involved in the condition. There are many negatives associated with Methamphetamines, the obvious being that it is illegal. Another more visible side effect is Meth Mouth. Meth mouth is a severe Dental condition that causes loss of teeth, enamel erosion and sever tooth decay. It may also be described as stained, blackened, or rotting teeth. In many cases the teeth cannot be saved due to the severity and must be removed. The carries rate for meth users is four times higher than an average non meth user. Symptoms and outward signs are rampant tooth decay, broken teeth, attrition...

Words: 1187 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Crystal Meth

...intense low. Smoking crystal meth is the most common method of use, but it can also be ingested, injected, or snorted. Why is meth so popular? Crystal meth’s prevalence in society is due to three main factors: • Easy to make - Crystal meth is composed of easily accessible ingredients which can be purchased over-the-counter at local drugstores. Its production is inexpensive, and the drug can be fabricated in a home-made laboratory, as is often the case. • Cheap - A real ‘bang for your buck’, crystal meth is as inexpensive to make as it is in relation to the length and strength of the high. Users can be stoned from 6 to 10 hours, experiencing an exhilarated state of mind. Other effects include wakefulness, a curb in appetite, and increased energy. • Highly addictive - Crystal meth is as addictive as cocaine and heroine, and some would argue that it is even more so. The day after its use brings waves of depression, anger and sadness to the user. A common cure among addicts is, unsurprisingly, more meth. As per the Drug and Alcohol Services Information System, (DASIS), the percentage of treatment admissions for crystal methamphetamine abuse more than doubled between 1995 and 2005, from 4 percent to 9 percent – a total of 169,500 admissions recorded in the U.S. in 2005. The dangers of Crystal Methamphetamine The chemical make-up of crystal meth is similar to that of a common amphetamine, but with stronger ingredients. The dangers of meth are two-fold: hazardous to...

Words: 338 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Crystal Meth

...intense low. Smoking crystal meth is the most common method of use, but it can also be ingested, injected, or snorted. Why is meth so popular? Crystal meth’s prevalence in society is due to three main factors: • Easy to make - Crystal meth is composed of easily accessible ingredients which can be purchased over-the-counter at local drugstores. Its production is inexpensive, and the drug can be fabricated in a home-made laboratory, as is often the case. • Cheap - A real ‘bang for your buck’, crystal meth is as inexpensive to make as it is in relation to the length and strength of the high. Users can be stoned from 6 to 10 hours, experiencing an exhilarated state of mind. Other effects include wakefulness, a curb in appetite, and increased energy. • Highly addictive - Crystal meth is as addictive as cocaine and heroine, and some would argue that it is even more so. The day after its use brings waves of depression, anger and sadness to the user. A common cure among addicts is, unsurprisingly, more meth. As per the Drug and Alcohol Services Information System, (DASIS), the percentage of treatment admissions for crystal methamphetamine abuse more than doubled between 1995 and 2005, from 4 percent to 9 percent – a total of 169,500 admissions recorded in the U.S. in 2005. The dangers of Crystal Methamphetamine The chemical make-up of crystal meth is similar to that of a common amphetamine, but with stronger ingredients. The dangers of meth are two-fold: hazardous to...

Words: 604 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

The Meth Project

...Methamphetamine is relatively easy to make in comparison to other drugs. That is one of the reasons why, according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) in 2011, it was considered the fourth most mentioned illicit drug following cocaine, marijuana, and heroin (National Institute on Drug Abuse). In response to a growing meth epidemic, an ad campaign and website were founded called the Meth Project ("What Is Meth"). This website gives a brief background on how it's project came into existence and information about the founder. The Meth Project Ad is effective because it allows you to begin thinking about the effects, what abusers deal with in result of using, and gives a platform for the people affected by meth to "speak up". While navigating...

Words: 834 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Effects of Meth

...November 11, 2012 Susi McFarland The human body is affected in different ways when one uses Methamphetamine, also known as Crystal Meth. The drug is white crystalline drugs that people have been known to induce by snorting it, smoking it or injecting it with a syringe. The effects of the drug last between six to eight hours depending on the way the drug is ingested into the body. It can last up to twenty-four hours in some cases. The effects can cause one to have short-term/ long-term damage physically and mentally. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has research that over a period of time, more than 300,000 people in the United States alone uses this highly addictive stimulant. The earliest uses the Methamphetamine was during World War II. The German and Finnish government would give it to their soldiers. The soldiers would stay awake for days at a time and fight the war. In 1942 Adolf Hitler was known for taking injections of the drug and he developed Parkinson’s disease like symptoms that were a result from using methamphetamine. During the periods of 1940’s top the 1950’s, Japan administered to this drug to their industrial workers to increase their productivity. In 1970 after the Controlled Substances Act it restricted its availability in the manufacturing industry. When that had happened a large “meth labs” that are illegal starting arising in the Southwest, West, and parts of the Mid West in the 1990’s. Research shows that over a period of time...

Words: 1436 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Crystal Meth

...Steven Powell Professor Repich BLM 245 14 February 2016 What can a company do to achieve material handling efficiency? One of the most significant benefits that can be reaped from materials handling is increased efficiency, Companies that stay efficient almost always come out on top. Some organizations have employed materials handling managers, with the responsibility and authority for all materials handling, Keeping this responsibility with one person offers many efficiency advantages, Including, -Centralization of authority- With a logistics manager, who has a holistic view of total requirements, should result in better utilization of materials handling resources. -A skilled and specialized logistics professional- Will be able to recommend and employ the best and most efficient system in line with their own knowledge and experience. -Central control of materials within logistics- Will help reduce the bottlenecks and hold ups that plaque many organizations. Following set procedures, the materials handling manager can continue to dramatically increase efficiency, including, 1.) Using only the correct equipment for every task will ensure safety of employees and stock, No damages or injuries = lots of profit. 2.) Properly training and testing all material handling operators will reduce accidents to people and increase efficiency by avoiding damages to product this also effects the bottom line, doing the right thing the first time, is always better than having rework. ...

Words: 389 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

The Man vs. the Meth

...The Man Vs. The Meth: Allen Newcomb's Struggle Jordan Tucker Brigham Young University - Idaho The Man Vs. The Meth: Allen Newcomb's Struggle It's not that you can't see the struggle that Allen had in his face, it's that he looks strong and happy despite that struggle. That's my first impression of the man as he lumbers through the large oak doors of the old Mexican restaurant where we had agreed to meet. He smiles as he recognizes me and heads in my direction. I haven't seen him for ten years and he has aged. As he moves towards me, I can't help but think of Paul Bunyan: He is bearded and massive. As we go through our introductions and catch up on the time that has passed, it's hard for me to get to the point of our meeting, something so personal and difficult to talk about. I am here to learn more about the man, and specifically, more about the battle he faced when he was younger. It's a struggle that he is ashamed of but, at the same time, proud of for overcoming. Allen Newcomb was once a heavy user of the drug known as "meth." He grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles, in an area known as Inglewood. He was born there, the youngest of four boys. Allen (2011) describes how is his mother tried to protect him from the dangers of city-life. We didn't have a place to play, we lived in apartment and we had to walk a great distance to the nearest park, which our Mother would not allow us to do. She said it was too dangerous, and she was right. Everywhere you...

Words: 1999 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Meth Addiction

...Kornya Christopher August 4, 2013 COM/156 Rough Draft Introduction: Overall Methamphetamine is the most destructive drug in the United States and cause millions of deaths and injuries, Over 26 Million Teenagers has been exposed to Methamphetamine and are now addicts. The problem starts from the lack of knowledge about the drug. If the society knew more about the overall affects and the drug itself, half would reconsider using. Methamphetamine affects all age groups and it also affects social groups. The drug sweeps through the streets like a bat in the night. People become so addicted to Methamphetamine they end up decease or mentally ill without a home, being addicted to methamphetamine could cause a person to lose everything they have. The worst part about methamphetamine is the cause of flesh deterioration over a period of use. Black blotches appear all over the body. The Methamphetamine recovery is worse than the overall addiction. Some may make it through rehab, and some may not make it through rehab. Children who has ad a bitter childhood usually be the victims. Teenagers who are exposed to drugs at an early age also become victims. Drug addiction results are fatal. Here is more about methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is a stimulant that effects the human brain drastically. Methamphetamine consist of over-the-counter drugs and is produced in clandestine laboratories. Methamphetamine goes as “ice”,”crank”, or speed. It is very easy to produce, although...

Words: 1183 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Montana Meth Psa

...Brandon Rogers Laura Walter GSW – Essay 4 29 10 14 Montana Meth PSA In this image one can see that there is a girl lying on the floor as if she was in distress. The girl in the photo looks as if she is high off drugs and there is a man grabbing her shoulder trying to have sexual relations with her. This PSA is a great example of struggle and how certain things get down played that are serious. The drug that the girl has been using is called Meth, also known as Methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is a synthetic stimulant that affects a human’s central nervous system (Meth Project). Teenagers0 that think drugs are acceptable need to take this photo into consideration and really understand it because drugs are extremely harmful to your body. This Montana Meth PSA uses pathos and a use of color, text, and body language to show the endangerment when students are using illegal drugs. While looking at a PSA color plays a big part because it has to draw the audience attention as best as possible, so teens can understand what they are getting themselves into. “Colors connect to our feelings in a unique and memorable way, which makes them a powerful marketing tool to keep in mind (Color is Important)”. Humans tend to notice color first before they read any type of text in anything because a color is an attention getter. In the Montana Meth PSA, the man that looks to be assisting her is wearing a red flannel. The color red in advertising can come off as danger while viewing...

Words: 1288 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Montana Meth Project

...A foundation known to prevent and reduce meth abuse began in Missouia, MT in 2005. On the advertisement on the top right hand corner, it has a website “MONTANA METH PROJECT” (see Figure 1) which had some pretty good interested information. The foundation, based on the ad, many young adults male or female. Thomas and Stacey Siebel are the former creators out of it. “Montana Meth Project”. The PSA shows two females having a sorrow look, like if they have no worries in life. The background has a dreary look describing the darkness of the situation and the emptiness in the life of the two females. (2015) The Ad From: Montana Meth Project persuades the importance of meth abusers to not share needles by successfully using logos, pathos, and ethos....

Words: 757 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Meth Epidemic Analysis

...In the Frontline documentary, “The Meth Epidemic,” it stated that in 2004, Oklahoma had passed a law requiring that cold medicines containing methamphetamine precursors be placed over the counter (Baker, 2006). But what the documentary did not explain, was that the political will to enact such a law, also known as the Nikki Green law, had come on the day after Christmas the year before. On that day, as part of a nationwide manhunt, peace officers all over the country watched a video tape of Oklahoma Trooper Nikki Green pleading for his life on behalf of his “3 little girls,” to Ricky Ray Malone, and for him to, “think it through.” A few minutes earlier, Trooper Green had interrupted Malone on a lonely dirt road as he cooked methamphetamine from out of his car in what is commonly known as a “Nazi Meth Lab.” The Trooper had subsequently lost a fight to Malone, who was larger than the Trooper and had been aided by the extra energy given him by the drug....

Words: 1083 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Active Meth Case Study

...On 6/25/16, police were called to home as there was a backpack of METH making materials found in the home he was staying in with the mother, Crystal, and their two children Hayden (age 5) and Josilynn (age 8). Crystal had recently allowed him to move back in after her paramour had been arrested on an unrelated domestic charge and was being held at the county jail. All three adults have a known history of drug use. Brian had called police but stayed with the children in what was considered the active METH lab after police left. Crystal had an unrelated warrant and fled police contact. The children were taken into custody on 6/26/16, and placed with a relative. Brian reported that the back pack belonged to Crystal's paramour who denied any knowledge...

Words: 281 - Pages: 2