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| Methamphetamines |
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.
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