Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant drug that is similar in structure to amphetamine. Due to its high potential for abuse, methamphetamine is available only through a prescription that cannot be refilled.
Although methamphetamine can be prescribed by a doctor, its medical uses are limited and low doses are given. It is a white, odourless, bitter-tasting powder taken orally, by snorting, injecting, or as a rock "crystal" that is heated and smoked.
Methamphetamine causes the body to release large amounts of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, resulting in a prolonged sense of pleasure or euphoria for the user; however, over time, this causes severe side effects. With repeated use, meth depletes the brain's stores of dopamine and actually destroys the wiring of the dopamine receptors.
This is a major reason why users become so addicted to the drug; without it they are no longer able to experience pleasure (a condition known as anhedonia) and they usually slip into a deep depression.
Although dopamine receptors can grow back over time, studies have suggested that chronic meth use can cause other permanent brain damage.
In addition, meth is a powerful stimulant that makes the heart race and blood vessels constrict, which can lead to a number of serious medical problems, including heart attack, stroke and even death.
During these energy-fueled meth "runs," which can last days, users generally exhibit poor judgment and dangerous, hyperactive behaviour. Meth stays in a user's system much longer than some other drugs and it is not possible to get rid of it in 24 hours.
It can be detected in different parts of the body for different lengths of time. It all depends on weight, metabolism, and overall health of an individual.
For example, 72 hours (3 days) is near the end of the time frame in which meth can be detected in saliva. It can be found as soon as 5-10 minutes after being used though.
Meth can generally be detected in urine for 3-5 days after use and 2-5 hours after use the urine drug test detection period begins. Meth stays in hair follicles for the longest, for over 90 days in some cases.
Although methamphetamine can be prescribed by a doctor, its medical uses are limited and low doses are given. It is a white, odourless, bitter-tasting powder taken orally, by snorting, injecting, or as a rock "crystal" that is heated and smoked.
Methamphetamine causes the body to release large amounts of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, resulting in a prolonged sense of pleasure or euphoria for the user; however, over time, this causes severe side effects. With repeated use, meth depletes the brain's stores of dopamine and actually destroys the wiring of the dopamine receptors.
This is a major reason why users become so addicted to the drug; without it they are no longer able to experience pleasure (a condition known as anhedonia) and they usually slip into a deep depression.
Although dopamine receptors can grow back over time, studies have suggested that chronic meth use can cause other permanent brain damage.
In addition, meth is a powerful stimulant that makes the heart race and blood vessels constrict, which can lead to a number of serious medical problems, including heart attack, stroke and even death.
During these energy-fueled meth "runs," which can last days, users generally exhibit poor judgment and dangerous, hyperactive behaviour. Meth stays in a user's system much longer than some other drugs and it is not possible to get rid of it in 24 hours.
It can be detected in different parts of the body for different lengths of time. It all depends on weight, metabolism, and overall health of an individual.
For example, 72 hours (3 days) is near the end of the time frame in which meth can be detected in saliva. It can be found as soon as 5-10 minutes after being used though.
Meth can generally be detected in urine for 3-5 days after use and 2-5 hours after use the urine drug test detection period begins. Meth stays in hair follicles for the longest, for over 90 days in some cases.
