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DESCRIPTION
Methamphetamine is a synthetic stimulant commonly used as a recreational
drug. It is legally prescribed as a treatment for ADD under the brand name Desoxyn, for both children and adults. On the street,
it is generally found as an odorless, white or off-white, bitter-tasting powder, though it is also found in pills, capsules
and larger crystals. It is frequently snorted, but is also used orally, smoked, and injected.
Methamphetamine production
is a relatively simple process, especially when compared to many other recreational drugs. It is frequently reported on in
the media when home meth-producing labs are busted.
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Law
Methamphetamine is Schedule II in the United States, meaning that it is illegal to buy, sell, or possess without a
prescription. It is legally controlled in most countries, although it has medical uses, so it is also available by prescription
in many places.
Chemistry
Powder methamphetamine is the hydrochloride salt form which is strongly hygroscopic (absorbs water from the air quickly).
The HCl salt is smokable as is. Crystal meth "Crystal Meth" or "Ice" refer to methamphetamine grown into crystals. Though
many people believe that Crystal Meth is the freebase form of methamphetamie HCl, this is not true. Methamphetamine is smokable
in its normal HCL form, but taking the time to grow it into crystals makes it easier to smoke. Meth in visible crystals (rather
than powder) is likely to be relatively pure as it is difficult to grow crystals from impure material. Methamphetamine freebase
is an oil and is uncommon on the street.
Production
The production of Methamphetamine is a fairly simple
process which makes it easy to produce in makeshift home laboratories.
History
While Amphetamine was first
synthesized in 1887 in Germany, methamphetamine wasn't synthesized until 1919 in Japan.
Slang
The Substance
: methamphetamine, meth, crystal meth, speed, ice, crank, tweek / tweak, glass, uppers, yaba, shabu shabu
The Experience
: tweaking
EFFECTS
Onset
Oral use takes about half an hour to produce effects. When smoked, effects are almost instantaneous,
and nearly as quick when snorted.
Duration
4-8 hours when smoked.
The Experience
PROBLEMSMethamphetamine use generally increases the heart rate, blood
pressure, body temperature, and rate of breathing of the user. Chronic use can lead to what is called 'Amphetamine Psychosis',
resulting in paranoia, auditory and visual hallucinations, self-absorption, irritability, aggressive and erratic behavior,
and picking at the skin. This can be magnified by lack of sleep which often accompanies heavy use of meth. Methamphetamine
is an anorexant, meaning it causes most people to lose interest in food. This is considered a benefit for many light users,
but in regular or heavy users can lead to malnutrition. Methamphetamine is also believed to be neurotoxic.
Addiction Potential
Methamphetamine causes significant tolerance, as well as psychological dependence.
This combination can be particularly bad because the user is likely to have strong cravings for more meth, while at the same
time being unable to reach a satisfactory high. Withdrawal from high doses can produce severe depression.
Contraindications
- Do not take Methamphetamine if you are currently taking an MAOI. MAOIs are most commonly found in the prescription anti-depressants
Nardil (phenelzine), Parnate (tranylcypromine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), Eldepryl (l-deprenyl), and Aurorex or Manerix (moclobemide).
Ayahuasca also contains MAOIs (harmine and harmaline). MAOIs and Methamphetamin are a potentially dangerous combination. Check
with your doctor if you are not sure whether your prescription medication is an MAOI.
- Individuals with heart disease (i.e. erteriosclerosis, hypertension) should be extremely careful as Methamphetamine use
can be hard on the heart.
- Research shows that amphetamines used during pregnancy may decrease the birthweight of the baby as well as increasing
the likelihood of cardiac abnormalities (heart problems) and possibly other birth defects.
- Methamphetamine is believed to be transferred through breast milk, so use while breast feeding is a bad idea.
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