Authored by Dr. Charles Bliss of Cornerstone Behavioral Health, the series will examine the physical effects of the drug, social impact, current influence on Wyoming and Evanston, and treatment. Methamphetamine is a very potent central nervous system stimulant. The drug works directly on the brain and spinal cord by interfering with normal neurotransmission. Neurotransmitters are chemical substances naturally produced within nerve cells used to communicate with each other and send messages to influence and regulate our thinking and all other systems throughout the body. The main neurotransmitter affected by methamphetamine is dopamine.
Dopamine is involved with our natural reward system.
For example, feeling good about a job well done, getting pleasure from our family or social interactions, feeling content and that our lives are meaningful and count for something, all rely on dopamine transmission. Methamphetamine may be inhaled, smoked, or injected. When someone starts using methamphetamine, they have increased energy, feelings of euphoria, decreased appetite, and decreased need for sleep. They also experience increased heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, restlessness, and anxiety. Although some of these effects sound positive, they are far outweighed by the bad effects and risks of using methamphetamine.