Methamphetamine : Ask Biography

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Methamphetamine ( listen) is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs. Methamphetamine (USAN) is also known as methamfetamine (INN), methylamphetamine, N-methylamphetamine, and desoxyephedrine. When used illicitly, it is commonly referred to as "crystal meth", "meth" or "ice".

Methamphetamine increases alertness, concentration, energy, and in high doses, can induce euphoria, enhance self-esteem, and increase libido. Methamphetamine has high potential for abuse and addiction by activating the psychological reward system via triggering a cascading release of dopamine in the brain. In the United States, methamphetamine is FDA approved for the treatment of ADHD and exogenous obesity, dispensed in the USA under the trademark name Desoxyn.

As a result of methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity to dopaminergic neurons, chronic abuse may also lead to symptoms which persist beyond the withdrawal period for months, and even up to a year. Research has found that 20% of methamphetamine addicts experience a psychosis resembling schizophrenia which persists for longer than six months post-methamphetamine use; this amphetamine psychosis can be resistant to traditional treatment. In addition to psychological harm, physical harm, primarily consisting of cardiovascular damage, may occur with chronic use or acute overdose.