Crystal Meth

Crystal Meth

It is sometimes called speed, uppers, crank, chalk, ice, glass, copilots and Christmas tree, however it’s most commonly known name is crystal meth, scientifically known as methamphetamine or methyl amphetamine. One of the earliest uses of crystal meth was during World War II when the German military introduced it under the name Pervitin. It was given to elite forces, tank crews, and aircraft personnel in doses of chocolate, gaining the name copilots. In 1983, laws were passed prohibiting equipment used to produce methamphetamines. Despite the prohibition of the drug, the abuse of the drug grew across the United States. Since 1989, the states across the U.S. have been trying to stop the production of meth, which can be made in the home. They have also added restrictions on the amount one can have of the drug ephedrine and pseudoephedrine containing products – drugs used to make methamphetamines.

Methamphetamine is a drug that releases high levels of dopamine; which regulates movement, emotion, motivation and feelings of pleasure. It stimulates the central nervous system, which in turn affects heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. Overtime, meth can deplete dopamine receptors, making it impossible to feel pleasure at all. It also affects mood, appetite, mood and alertness. Meth is known to decrease appetite, but increase wakefulness and physical appetite. Meth can be snorted, smoked, or injected. When injected or smoked, meth is known to give a very intense high. Dr. Richard Rawson f UCLA’s Integrated Substance Abuse Program says, “There are a whole variety of reasons someone would try methamphetamine, however, once they take the drug, their reasons are pretty much the same: they like how it affects their brain. “

The physical effects of meth include irritability, increased blood pressure, aggression, nervousness, hypothermia, compulsive behavior,