Methemaphetamine or the crystal meth is a synthetic drug first produced by Japanese scientist to enhance the alertness and awakeness of their soldiers during World War 2. After the war, the popularity of the drug has reached world wide and became the new choice of users replacing opium. In the 80’s, Methamphetamine use became a world wide epidemic and it was also on the later 80’s when the bad effects of the chronic and abuse of the drug
English: Crystal methamphetamine (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
became apparent. Later, the Food and Drug authority revealed these drastic effects and the government and WHO responded as labeling Methamphetamine as one of the most addictive regulated drugs.
Methamphetamine is a CNS stimulant that enhances alertness, concentration, and awakeness. It is usually enhaled and injected. The structural built of meth molecules is similar to active site for Dopamine, a neurotransmitter produced in the brain and is responsible for enhance brain activity and awakeness, as meth reaches the CNS, it tricks the brain to release dopamine excessively.. This excessive Dopamine release resulta to hyperactivity and increase in most of the body functions including the increase in heart rate. This is why 65% of the cause of death in Meth overdose is Cardiac Failure.
The sudden gush of Dopamine makes the satisfaction center of the brain send urge signals causing the addiction.
As the brain is repeatedly tricked and falsely stimulated to release dopamine, it will no.longer recognize the true receptors for dopamine in the brain causing the depression in users in the absence of the drug.