Crystal Meth Lives Up in Smoke Essay Example
Topics are: • education • pharmacological and neurological information • Harm reduction compared to crime and punishment
The stimulant class of Drugs
Neurology of Meth
The brain contains neurons that ‘communicate’ with each other. This is how our body functions. In the brain of an abuser of Crystal meth the balance of dopamine and dopamine-like neurotransmitter is grossly affected. Crystal meth causes an elevation of neurotransmitters in the synapse.
Crystal meth is so chemically similar to Dopamine and Norpinephrine that it produces the same effect in the brain chemistry. It literally floods the synapse with ‘dopamine-like’ neurotransmitters, which leads the user to think they are having’ the best time ever’ when reality is change in brain chemicals causes certain traits to develop among meth users. The first time users ‘high’ is totally different than the addicted users ‘high’. This is best described by comparison, which follows.
A first time user feels: 1. that they are a much better person now 2. like it has improved your life immensely 3. more happy than ever 4. they are enjoying life so much 5. euphoria 6. invincible 7. increased energy 8. total lack of hunger 9. no urge to sleep – awake for days 10. a great increase in libido 11. increase in heart rate 12. increase in blood pressure
An addict feels:
Pharmacology of Meth
Dr. Allen Galbraith states that the L D 50 of Crystal meth is 720 mg per kg, a 70 kg person would require 50.4 g. The ‘usual dose’ or effective dose is 40 – 50 mg. Clearly this drug would not present a high risk of overdose causing death. Yet the average life expectancy after starting the addiction is 5-7 years.
According to the society Life or Meth the degree of risk varies with the mode of ingestion. If swallowed it can lead to stomach problems over time. If inhaled it can lead to nasal tissue damage, including making a hole in the wall between the nasal
The stimulant class of Drugs
Neurology of Meth
The brain contains neurons that ‘communicate’ with each other. This is how our body functions. In the brain of an abuser of Crystal meth the balance of dopamine and dopamine-like neurotransmitter is grossly affected. Crystal meth causes an elevation of neurotransmitters in the synapse.
Crystal meth is so chemically similar to Dopamine and Norpinephrine that it produces the same effect in the brain chemistry. It literally floods the synapse with ‘dopamine-like’ neurotransmitters, which leads the user to think they are having’ the best time ever’ when reality is change in brain chemicals causes certain traits to develop among meth users. The first time users ‘high’ is totally different than the addicted users ‘high’. This is best described by comparison, which follows.
A first time user feels: 1. that they are a much better person now 2. like it has improved your life immensely 3. more happy than ever 4. they are enjoying life so much 5. euphoria 6. invincible 7. increased energy 8. total lack of hunger 9. no urge to sleep – awake for days 10. a great increase in libido 11. increase in heart rate 12. increase in blood pressure
An addict feels:
Pharmacology of Meth
Dr. Allen Galbraith states that the L D 50 of Crystal meth is 720 mg per kg, a 70 kg person would require 50.4 g. The ‘usual dose’ or effective dose is 40 – 50 mg. Clearly this drug would not present a high risk of overdose causing death. Yet the average life expectancy after starting the addiction is 5-7 years.
According to the society Life or Meth the degree of risk varies with the mode of ingestion. If swallowed it can lead to stomach problems over time. If inhaled it can lead to nasal tissue damage, including making a hole in the wall between the nasal