Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug which has horrible effects on central nervous system of the body. Read on to know the effects of methamphetamine on the body…
Methamphetamine doses kept the troops awoken and played an important role in raising the energy levels of the workers in factories during the second world war. In some countries, methamphetamine is a legal medicine which is prescribed very carefully for the cure of some diseases. It is a highly addictive drug like cocaine which stimulates the central nervous system and therefore the user instantly feels strong, more energetic and confident. It is taken in the form of powder or injection or it is inhaled also. It triggers the release of dopamine neurotransmitter in the brain.
As a result of increased dopamine levels, brain cells become more active. Methamphetamine effects on the brain help improve your mood and enhance body movements. Crystal methamphetamine, a psychoactive stimulant drug, is sometimes referred to as “speed”. Its euphoric effect lasts longer than the effect of cocaine, for which it is abused by a large number of people.
Severe Side Effects of Methamphetamine
As explained above, methamphetamine dose enhances the mood and body movements but as soon as the effect goes away, your body demands more methamphetamine. It is difficult to control drug addiction once you start enjoying the intensely pleasurable sensation known as a “rush” or a “flash”, produced by the drug, immediately after its intake.
As the intense euphoric “rush” or “flash” lasts only a few minutes, the user starts taking more and more methamphetamine. When the user recovers from an euphoric sensation or a rush or a flash, he/she wants it back desperately. If the user doesn’t get the drug, he may become furious or extremely violent. The drug addict becomes nervous, depressed, lethargic and very sleepy and is more likely to commit suicide if left untreated.
Here follows the list of methamphetamine effects on the body:
- Feeling of extreme happiness
- Insomnia
- Decreased fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Rapid weight loss
- Increased physical activity
- Rapid pulse rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Drastic changes in the appearance of the user, especially in the face
- Abnormally high body temperature which can be fatal
- Irregular heartbeat
- Cardiovascular collapse
- Tremors, seizures, convulsions (can be fatal)
- Irritability, anxiety, confusion
- Violence, increased aggressiveness
- Delusions of persecution or grandeur
- Reduced or completely destroyed sex drive
An overdose or prolonged use of methamphetamine can prove to be fatal. In that case, the side effects are more serious. Here is a list of the adverse effects of the drug:
- Extreme paranoia
- Homicidal or suicidal thoughts
- Itching and unexplained skin rash
- Uncontrolled movements of the mouth, arms, neck or head
- Chest pain, heart palpitations
- Chronic insomnia leading to extreme fatigue, depression, extreme lethargy, etc.
- Hallucinations which indicate chemical imbalance in the brain
- Damaged blood vessels in the brain
- Damage to brain cells as in Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and epilepsy
- Excess fluid accumulates in the brain tissue, skull and lungs
- Kidney failure
- Cardiovascular collapse symptoms like excessive sweating, rapid breathing, increased heart rate and dilated pupils
- Hyperpyrexia (body temperature higher than 104 degree F.)
- Internal bleeding
- Affected blood circulation causing damage to other parts of the body.
- An overdose causes a rapid deterioration of the body, resulting in a heart attack or stroke.
Thus the effects of methamphetamine on the body are horrible. Methamphetamine facts inform us that use of this drug stimulates brain cells but addiction to the drug can prove to be fatal. If your doctor prescribes methamphetamine to cure some other diseases, minor side effects can be experienced. While using this drug as a prescribed medicine, dosage instructions should be strictly followed. In case of drug addiction, symptoms of brain damage can be observed for months, even after the user stops using the drug.
