Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive stimulant that affects the
central nervous system. It is a widely abused psychostimulant. Monoaminergic
neurotransmitter terminals are affected by METH intake. METH structure is very
similar to amphetamine, a drug used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD). METH is taken in various modes, such as smoking, swallowing, snorting,
injecting powder, etc. Dopamine levels, serotonin levels, and norepinephrine levels are
increased due to METH uptake, leading to extremely strong euphoric effects. This
dopamine surge causes the brain to repeatedly take the drug and is responsible for
addiction. As a short-term effect, METH causes increased wakefulness and physical
activity, decreased appetite, faster breathing, rapid and/or irregular heartbeat, increased
blood pressure, and body temperature. METH overdose causes hyperthermia and
convolution, which can lead to death if not treated. METH also causes irreversible
brain damage. Amphetamine psychosis, dementia-like symptoms, increased anti-social
behaviour, and increased susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases are the long-term
neurological effects of METH use.
Keywords: Amphetamine psychosis, Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Dopamine levels, Serotonin levels.
