Effects of Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine, like most other drugs, will alter the chemical and physical make-up of the human body. The purpose of this page is to provide an overall summary of the signs and symptoms of a frequent methamphetamine user as well as provide information on the physical effects that methamphetamine has on the various systems of the human body. For a more in depth look into what methamphetamine does to each organ system, please refer to the Table of Contents located on your left.
System |
Symptoms and Signs |
Physical Effects |
Cardiovascular |
– Chest pain can be present in current users of methamphetamines – Signs can range from something as severe as aortic dissection which occurs when a tear in the inner wall of the aorta causes a significant amount of blood to flow between the layers and forcing them apart – Dyspnea or shortness of breath |
– Meth can produce a hypertensive effect on the heart causing unnecessary stress on the cardiac muscle (See cardiovascular page) – Acute congestive heart failure (CHF) can occur over an extended period of time for constant methamphetamine users causing systolic dysfunction and “weak hearts”
|
Central Nervous System |
– Signs include agitation, violent behavior, comas, new-onset seizures, headaches, emotional lability (constant change of emotions), hypersexuality and paranoia
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– Agitation and paranoia are frequent results from alternations that occur in the CNS dopamine, serotonin and glutamate pathways (see Nervous System page)
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Respiratory |
– Symptoms include wheezing and labored breathing – Pneumothorax, where the lung leaks air into the chest cavity due to the lining of the lung ripping away from the chest wall resulting in a collapse of the lungs. This includes the inhibition of the vessels that return blood back to the heart
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– Wheezing from reactive airway disease may be induced by methamphetamine – Pneumothorax may be a result from forceful inhalation from regular methamphetamine use |
Skin |
– Delusional parasitosis can be a symptom after an individual experiences meth. It is the mistaken belief of the infestation of parasites and small insects on the skin – Abscess which is very common in meth users, this occurs when an infection causes fluid and pus to collect in the skin – Cellulitis which is another skin infection caused by bacteria allowing inflammation of the skin
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– Methamphetamine injectors such as shots will frequently present the effects of abscess and cellulitis causing largely infected areas – Meth users will pick at their skin frequently blaming it on a “spider-bite” from delusional parasitosis |
Gastrointestinal |
– Symptoms include abdominal pain – Obstruction in the intestines – Lack of appetite and few nutrients received from energy source (food) that is absorbed in the digestive system |
– Severe abdominal pain may result from acute mesenteric vasoconstriction – Methamphetamine has also been associated with the formation of ulcers and ischemic colitis due to the lack of nutrients and a result of poor health
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Dental |
– Caries which is typically defined as the progressive break down of bone structures is typically seen in the teeth of avid meth users – Peridental abscess is similar to abscess found on the skin however the infection is present in the oral cavity |
–Severe caries, especially of the maxillary teeth is commonly seen in chronic methamphetamine users – The results of the tooth decay come from maxillary artery vasoconstriction or the narrowing of the blood vessels due to meth’s effects on the cardiovascular system and poor hygiene.
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Methamphetamine’s effects on the human body are devastating. Below you will find a poll asking for your opinion on which effect you believe is the worst. Please take the poll; we value your input. The videos below the poll explain each effect in the poll in greater detail.
This page was very well done. I really enjoyed reading the biological effects Meth has on the body. I would be interested to hear what the worst effect on your body is. Again, great job!
-Nathalie
Hey you guys! This page is absolutely amazing, probably one of the best that I have seen! It’s very professional and the format is extremely user friendly. The only possible criticism I have is that some of the sections seem a bit biased instead of purely objective and informative. Regardless of if you keep it this way or not though, this page definitely deserves a high grade.
-Aurora
I really like the diagrams of the human body and all the places that meth effects! These really make a big difference ad highlight what you guys are explaining in the table!