Preview

Crystal Meth Research Paper

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
498 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Crystal Meth Research Paper
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. …show more content…
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.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Methamphetamine, approximately 6.08 grams of a white crystal substance resembling methamphetamine, which was packaged in two plastic baggies. Found in Suspect Castaneda’s gym bag.…

    • 1028 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Cocaine is identified as (C17H21NO4). Cocaine is an addictive stimulant that affects key pleasure centers within the brain and causes heightened euphoria. The hydrochloride salt, which is a powdered form of cocaine, can be dissolved in water and injected or snorted. It is derived from the coca plant and is primarily found in Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. Crack cocaine is the crystal form of cocaine. It comes in crystals or solid blocks varying in color from pale rose, yellow or white. Crack is the most potent form of cocaine and is also the riskiest. It is between 75% and 100% pure, far stronger than regular cocaine. Since cocaine has a high cost, crack is sold at very low prices. The common method of ingesting crack is smoking, where it makes…

    • 133 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    the paper discusses: what crystal meth is; who is using it; how it used; how it is made…

    • 5090 Words
    • 21 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The client spoke about consumption of alcohol and other substances as a form of escape, indicating that the “substance of choice is jib” (crystal meth). The client stated that “it is cheap and easy to get a hold of everywhere on the street” crystal meth is made of over the counter chemical and pharmacies medications that youth can easily buy “stovetop laboratories, which might exist for only a few days in a remote area before moving on. The process for making methamphetamine has been on the streets since the 1960’s, and illicit laboratories” (Hart & Kisr, Drugs, Society & Human Behavior, p.137).…

    • 265 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Final Project EN3220

    • 2234 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Meth was originally used for medical purposes; it was used to help treat narcolepsy (wanting to sleep), obesity (being overweight), and Attention Deficit Disorder (not being able to stay focused) also known as ADD. Meth is such a preferred drug because of how the effects work, the user will get a long lasting high from a small amount as well as receive more energy and alertness without having to eat and sleep. The user will also experience hyperactivity, irritability, malnutrition, shortness of breath and thoughts of suicide do to depression when they start coming down from the high. Excessive use of Meth will cause lung and kidney disorders, as well as damage to the liver and brain which can cause issues of psychological problems and even having a stroke.…

    • 2234 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Methamphetamine quickly affects the brain when either injected or smoked. Within seconds the user will feel a surge of euphoria from an increase in dopamine levels in the brain making the user feel full of energy. Methamphetamine not only stimulates the release of dopamine into the synaptic space, but also prevents neurons from recycling after it is released. This allows the feel of euphoria to persist in the body for an extended period of time. Some of the immediate physical effects of methamphetamine use include: excessive energy, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, decreased appetite, increased respiration, and increased body temperature. Abusers will develop a tolerance to methamphetamines when taken repeatedly, and will modify how they take it in order to replicate the desired effect of euphoria. Addiction is one of the most common consequences of long-term abuse of methamphetamines. Some of the common symptoms of chronic abusers include: increased anxiety, insomnia, alteration in mood, and violent behavior. Methamphetamine abusers can also exhibit signs of psychotic behavior including: hallucinations, paranoia, and delusions. These symptoms can exist for years after a person has stopped using methamphetamines, and can reoccur by periods of extreme stress. Chronic methamphetamine abusers can have significant changes to brain structure and function especially those areas associated with memory and emotion. There is also reduced binding of dopamine to its transport protein within the area of the striatum which is important for movement and memory. Studies have shown that some of the neurobiological effects of methamphetamine abuse appear to be somewhat reversible but can take years. There is an increased incidence of Parkinson’s disease among previous users of methamphetamine. Some users suffer severe physical effects due to years of abuse including noticeable tooth decay, weight loss, and severe skin sores from excessive scratching at skin…

    • 782 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Methadone Research Paper

    • 453 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Methadone has been discovered from 1930 for getting relieve from pain. It had been not before 1960’s that methadone was first used to assist handle heroin and morphine followers. So, before knowing about how long does methadone stay in your system you need to be aware of some of the facts about methadone.…

    • 453 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    List six effects of meth use. Which do you think are most dangerous? Why? Decreased appetite and possible weight loss, possible hallucinations or delusions, insomnia, increased agitation and physical activity, episodes of sudden, violent anger, and teeth loss. Which one do I think is the most dangerous? Honestly I’m not sure, they all can have dangerous effects on you and your body. I believe the following are the most dangerous: decreased appetite, hallucinations/delusions, insomnia, episodes of sudden, violent anger. I say decreased appetite because it becomes a server health issue when the body losses to much weight. You can become very weak and starving the body causes your organs to shut down. After the liver has exhaulsted its means of getting the vitamins etc that it needs to function it will eventually start shutting down. It cannot function properly without food, water etc. Hallucinations/delusions because when you start seeing things that are not there, I believe the mind isn’t functioning the way it is suppose to. Thus, causing an imbalance in your brain that is not normal. This imbalance in your brain can cause you to become crazy and you began to live in a world of false misrepresentation and you’re not living in reality. Insomnia because the body has to have rest and without the proper rest and diet it can cause harmful effects of your body. You can’t function properly much less lead a proper life style. Episodes of sudden, violent anger because violent…

    • 2553 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    It is obvious that ones goal in life to be happy and live a life without worries, which is why a lot of people result to crystal meth to have such feelings but sadly to only find that they are temporary. Inducing more of this drug would result to Methamphetamine can cause a variety of cardiovascular problems which includes irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure stroke-producing damage to small blood vessels in the brain. Hyperthermia (elevated body temperature) and convulsions occur with methamphetamine overdoses, and if not treated immediately, can result in death. Chronic meth methamphetamine abuse can result in inflammation of the heart lining, and among users who inject the drug, damaged blood vessels and skin abscesses. Methamphetamine abusers also can have episodes of violent behavior, paranoia, anxiety, confusion, and insomnia. Heavy users also show progressive social and occupational deterioration. Psychotic symptoms can sometimes persist for months or years after use has ceased. The recovery and treatment to these…

    • 803 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Unjust punishments can occur because of sentencing disparities and wrongful convictions. Current prison populations show a higher population of African Americans and Hispanic men leading some to believe that a sentencing disparities caused by racial prejudices and discrimination are the causes. Sentencing disparities occur when offenders with similar criminal histories who have committed the same offense receive much different penalties. Data has shown that Hispanics and African Americans have received harsher punishments compared to whites for similar crimes. Wrongful convictions occur when an innocent person is found guilty by either plea or verdict. The development of DNA testing has increased the number of people convicted by juries and later exonerated by science. In 2004 congress passed the Justice for All Act which implemented funds for DNA testing on a backlog of over 300,000 rape kits and other crime-scene evidence. In 1986 the drug crack was a major story in the news. Feeding off the crack fear, Congress pass the Anti-Drug Abuse Act which made the possession of 5 grams or more of crack a mandatory 5 year prison sentence. The impact of this law led to a steep rise in the number of…

    • 431 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Methamphetamine is an extremely addictive drug that immediately creates a feeling of intense euphoria that quickly fades away, resulting in repeating dosages by users. It elevates the levels of dopamine in the brain, forming extreme motivation, pleasure and motor function. Repeated use of the drug may have effect such as sleeplessness, aggression, psychiatric disorders and hallucinations.…

    • 869 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The Abuse of Meth

    • 2705 Words
    • 11 Pages

    The abuse of Crystal Meth is a serious problem that it doesn’t only affect the person abusing the drug but it can affect the family. Some people really don’t know the big problem of Crystal Meth. Some people choose to use Crystal Meth for so many reasons. In order for people to better understand the use of Crystal Meth this paper is going to give you a description of what is Crystal Meth and the effects the drug has, the signs and statistics, how can meth affect the body, and how to overcome meth addiction. But first I’ll begin by sharing a real life story of a family that was affected by crystal meth.…

    • 2705 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Chocolate was often dosed with meth and given to the soldiers on a daily basis. The original name for the pills given to the Nazi soldiers was Pervitin. Made by a company called the Temmler. The drug could keep the soldiers alert and ready at all times. According to addictionsearch.com, Adolf Hitler did not only force meth tablets into all his soldiers, but for the last three years of his life received daily IV injections of methamphetamine. This was done to treat Parkinson's disease and depression in his body. In Japan the drug got into the hands of the people and they called it Shabu. Japan banned meth use in 1950. The USA in 1983 the federal government passed laws to make it illegal to have the ingredients and supplies to manufacture meth. Also in 1986 simple-ways-to-make-meth.com says Federal Controlled Substance Analogue Enforcement Act got passed to try to stop the drug craze. California is the major state was meth is produced especially in San Diego which is called the meth capital of USA. According to livestrong.com, in 1990 2.7 percent of high school students reported using meth. In 2010 4.8 percent of high school students used meth. Meth is no joke, younger and younger crowds…

    • 441 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Some positive but for the most part; the drug is very unhealthy. Most users feel the drug almost instantly if they smoke it or sniff it. Soon after users feel full of energy and very alert; as some would say "like king of the world". This can sometimes cause very unpredictable and often violent behavior. The effects of one dose will last about eight hours, though the side effects will last for days. These included sleep loss (which will last one to six days), decreased appetite, loss of interests, itching, vomiting, diarrhea, panic, paranoia, irritability, involuntary movements (head jerks, finger twitching, ect…) severe depression, violent behavior, and suicidal tendencies. This side effects usually occur after two to three uses, but some can be triggered by only one use. The long term side effects include fatal kidney and lung disorders, brain damage, permanent psychological problems, weak immune system, liver damage, and stroke. Over doses on methamphetamine occur around 50…

    • 470 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Schedule 2 Drugs

    • 345 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Consumption of cocaine and methamphetamine will induce wakefulness, increased physical activity, decreased appetite, increased respiration, hyperthermia, euphoria. Effects of methamphetamine include irritability, insomnia, confusion, paranoia, and aggressiveness. Since it is known that it is difficult for nerve cells to be regenerated after having been damaged, it is a clear indication that use of this drug in small or large quantities, cause irreversible damages in the CNS. This observation was reported in a study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which also found that individuals who have a long history of abuse have reduced levels in dopamine transporters, which are associated with slowed motor skills and weakened memories in the individuals. (2)…

    • 345 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics