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Stimulants

Differences Between Amphetamine and Methamphetamine

Posted on May 23, 2013 in Stimulants

Differences Between Amphetamine and MethamphetamineAmphetamine and methamphetamine are stimulant drugs that change normal function in the brain and body by altering levels of naturally occurring substances called neurotransmitters. The two drugs are so closely related that methamphetamine turns into amphetamine when it starts to break down inside the bloodstream. However, despite their similarities, the two drugs have different levels of potency and work in somewhat different ways inside the body. In addition, while doctors commonly use amphetamine-based prescription medications for the treatment of certain health problems, use of methamphetamine-based prescription medications is much less common.

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Methamphetamine Use and Brain Aneurysm

Posted on May 20, 2013 in Stimulants

Brain AneurysmA brain aneurysm is a weakening in the wall of a brain artery that causes that wall to balloon or bulge abnormally. If an artery weakened in this manner bursts open inside the brain, it will trigger a life-threatening form of bleeding called an intracranial hemorrhage. A number of different types of aneurysms can appear at different locations inside the skull. Use of the illegal drug methamphetamine can potentially lead to the development of a form of brain aneurysm known as a berry aneurysm.

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The Facts About Crystal Meth

Posted on May 11, 2013 in Stimulants

The Facts About Crystal MethCrystal methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth, is a popular and highly addictive illegal drug. Many people are attracted to crystal meth for what they see as the short-term pleasures and advantages, but the long-term results of crystal meth use are usually addiction accompanied by serious health concerns.

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Methamphetamine Use and Heart Arrhythmia

Posted on May 9, 2013 in Stimulants

Methamphetamine Use and Heart ArrhythmiaArrhythmia is the medical term for any disruption of the internal electrical timing that controls the human heartbeat. Minor arrhythmias typically don’t cause any serious health problems; however, larger arrhythmias can throw off the heart’s timing enough to produce severe or fatal consequences. People who use the illegal drug methamphetamine have significantly increased risks for developing a serious heart arrhythmia, especially if they take enough of the drug to trigger an overdose. In many cases, the specific types of heartbeat irregularities experienced by meth users are easily capable of producing death.

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Crystal Meth Destroys the Body and Mind

Posted on May 1, 2013 in Stimulants

Crystal Meth Destroys the Body and MindCrystal meth is an illegal street drug that is highly addictive and terribly destructive. Although it comes from a prescription drug called methamphetamine, crystal meth is never safe to use. It becomes habit-forming very quickly and leads to numerous health problems as well as addiction. Many of the health issues caused by crystal meth are permanent.

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Adderall Abuse Can Lead to a Heart Attack

Posted on April 20, 2013 in Stimulants

Adderall Abuse Can Lead to a Heart AttackAdderall is the brand name of a prescription medication that contains the stimulant drug amphetamine, as well as a closely related stimulant called dextroamphetamine. This medication is commonly used to control the symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and doctors also sometimes prescribe it for treatment of the sleep disorder narcolepsy. Adderall has gained significant popularity among some high school and college students as illicit study aids. When abused in this or any other way, Adderall can lead to a heart attack.

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Behavioral Therapy Shown to Curb Nicotine Cravings

Posted on April 2, 2013 in Stimulants

Behavioral Therapy Shown to Curb Nicotine CravingsCognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that seeks to provide a healthy alternative to negative or unproductive thought processes that arise during stressful situations. This type of therapy frequently plays a prominent role in treatment programs for people recovering from drug and alcohol addictions. CBT technique have been shown to reduce cravings in smokers, even when those smokers have no stated desire to curb their tobacco use. This technique involves the use of simple mental reminders about the harmful effects of smoking.

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Meth Vaccine Shows Promise

Posted on March 30, 2013 in Stimulants

Meth Vaccine Shows PromiseA new methamphetamine vaccine appears to block the effects of the drug on lab rats. Now the question is, will it work on humans?

When scientists at the Scripps Research Institute in California gave rats meth, the rodents showed few signs of intoxication. “This is an early-stage study, but its results are comparable to those for other drug vaccines that have then gone to clinical  trials,” said Michael A. Taff, an addiction sciences expert at Scripps. The results of the study were published in November 2012.

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Recovering From Meth Mouth

Posted on March 27, 2013 in Stimulants

“Meth mouth” is a condition that develops in people with short- or long-term addictions to methamphetamine. It involves several factors, including the effect of methamphetamine on saliva glands in the mouth;  poor oral hygiene and dietary habits in meth addicts; tooth decay associated with these habits; frequent meth-related grinding of the teeth; and cracking of the tooth surfaces related to physical stress caused by this grinding. Left untreated, meth mouth can lead to a severe degradation of tooth and gum health and the need for extensive tooth removal. Dentists can take a number of steps to help affected individuals recover from the condition.

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Combined Brain Effects of Methamphetamine and HIV

Posted on March 22, 2013 in Stimulants

Methamphetamine use has been shown in studies to be associated with high-risk sexual behavior. Habitual use of the street drug is subsequently associated with an increase in the risks for infection with the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV. On their own, methamphetamine and HIV can produce changes in brain function that significantly impair a wide range of processes responsible for conscious thought and other key aspects of mental awareness. In methamphetamine users who are positive for HIV, the combined effects of drug abuse and infection commonly produce greater degrees of brain dysfunction than either methamphetamine or HIV produce on their own.

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