In 1927, the U.S. medical community began to use ephedrine, which is the active ingredient in ma haung, a plant, to open bronchial passages in patients with asthma. As the supplies of naturally occurring Ephedra vulgaris began to dwindle, pharmaceutical companies began to search for a synthetic alternative. Amphetamine was first synthesized in 1887, but because there was very little interest in it, the substance went unnoticed until it became the alternative to ephedrine (Feldman et al., 1997). By the 1930s, all the major effects of amphetamine were known. While researching the effects, it was discovered that amphetamines could awaken dogs that were under anesthesia. This discovery led to the use of amphetamines, in pill form, to treat narcolepsy
[...] Methamphetamines also trigger seriously aggressive behavior, especially if the user feels threatened. Physical effects of the stimulant properties of methamphetamines can lead to major physical complications such as heart damage, strokes, and life-threatening fevers. Methamphetamines are similar to other stimulant drugs in how they produce addiction. There is a powerful conditioning effect. The brain learns to associate a pleasurable sensation with all kinds of cues connected to the use of the drug. During the early period of abstinence, as with cocaine, the addict has to deal with powerful cravings that are a result of this learning process. [...]
[...] People with tolerance to the stimulant effects may be able to work inexhaustibly for 10-20 hours. Other individuals may experience severe agitation, anxiety, hallucinations, and delusions of persecution. As the stimulation wears off, the user experiences extraordinary depression, craving for more drug, and lethargy. (Chesley, 1999) Methamphetamines are similar to other stimulant drugs in how they produce addiction. There is a powerful conditioning effect. The brain learns to associate a pleasurable sensation with all kinds of cues connected to the use of the drug. [...]
[...] Other studies have shown that distorted perceptions of social signals caused a decrease in the attack and threat behavior of dominant animals to subordinates, in territoriality toward intruders, and in lactating mothers defending their litters (Miczek and Tidey, 1989). Even months after ending use, lab animals demonstrate lower than normal levels of important neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. It is thought that in some cases of long-term, heavy use, these chemicals never return to normal levels. Miczek and Tidey (1989) suggest that pain-induced aggressive or defensive reactions in rats and mice were noticeably increased after the administration of low doses of amphetamine. [...]
[...] Based on seizure patterns, by 1999, there was a serious increase in its use and it had become the second most commonly abused drug (after forms of cannabis) in the European market. Large-scale producers created pills imprinted with pop logos such as smiley faces and car brand signs, all of which were consistent with the notion that the pill was relatively harmless. These makers would also customize logos for large orders (United Nations, 2000). Dispersion Methamphetamine is no longer just a big-city problem. [...]
[...] Methamphetamines thus exert their effect on the brain in a twofold fashion. They attach to and directly stimulate the cells that produce excitation of certain areas of the brain. They also cause these cells to secrete neurotransmitters like norepinephine and dopamine, which also contribute to the stimulating and euphoric effects. The main problem with the amphetamines is that, in overriding the brain's normal regulatory mechanisms, they cause profound depletion of the brain's normal chemicals, just as cocaine does. Higher doses of amphetamine can result in a disruption in the patterns of aggressive behavior displayed by male mice (Miczek and Tidey, 1989; Moro et al., 1996). [...]
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