Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Methamphetamine shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Methamphetamine offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Methamphetamine at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Methamphetamine? Wrong! If the Methamphetamine is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Methamphetamine then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Methamphetamine? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Methamphetamine and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Methamphetamine wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Methamphetamine then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Methamphetamine site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Methamphetamine, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Methamphetamine, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.



{{Drugbox|

|IUPAC_name = n-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-2-amine| image = Methamphetamine-2D-skeletal-.svg| image2 = Methamphetamine-3d-CPK.png| width=200| CAS_number=537-46-2| ATC_prefix=N06| ATC_suffix=BA03| ATC_supplemental=| PubChem=1206| DrugBank=| C=10 | H=15 | N=1| molecular_weight = 149.233 g/mol| smiles = CC(CC1=CC=CC=C1)NC| synonyms = Deoxyephedrine
Pervitin
Anadrex
Metamfetamine
Methylamphetamine| bioavailability= 62.7% oral; 79% nasal; 90.3% smoked; 99% rectally; 100% IV| metabolism = Hepatic| pregnancy_AU =| pregnancy_US = C| pregnancy_category =| legal_AU = S9| legal_CA = Schedule I| legal_UK =| legal_US = Schedule II| legal_status = Class A([New Zealand)
Schedule 5(South Africa)
Injectable:Class A, Oral: A(United Kingdom)| routes_of_administration= Medical: Oral
Recreational: Oral, Intravenous therapy, Intramuscular injection, Insufflation, Inhalation, Suppository--> Methamphetamine (methylamphetamine or desoxyephedrine), popularly shortened to meth and also nicknamed "ice", is a stimulant and sympathomimetics psychoactive drug. The dextrorotatory isomer dextromethamphetamine can be prescribed to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, though unmethylated amphetamine is more commonly prescribed. Also, narcolepsy, and obesity can be treated by the aformentioned isomer under the brand name Desoxyn. It is considered a second line of treatment, used when amphetamine and methylphenidate cause the patient too many side effects. It is only recommended for short term use (~6 weeks) in obesity patients because it is thought that the anoretic effects of the drug are short lived and produce tolerance quickly, whereas the effects on CNS stimulation are much less susceptable to tolerance. It is also used illegally for weight loss and to maintain alertness, focus, motivation, and mental clarity for extended periods of time, and for recreational drug use purposes. "Crystal meth" refers to the Wiktionary:crystalline, pipe smoking form of the drug and is not used for the drug in pill or powdered form.

Methamphetamine enters the brain and triggers a Neuropsychopharmacology#Neurotransmission of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. To a lesser extent Methamphetamine acts as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor and Adrenergic receptor reuptake inhibitor and in high concentrations as a monamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Since it stimulates the mesolimbic pathway, causing euphoria and excitement, it is prone to Substance abuse and addiction.Users may become obsessed or perform repetitive tasks such as cleaning, hand-washing, or Punding. Withdrawal is characterized by excessive sleeping, eating and Depression (mood)-like symptoms, often accompanied by anxiety and drug-craving. Users of methamphetamine often take one or more benzodiazepines as a means of "coming down".

History Methamphetamine was first synthesized from ephedrine in Japan in 1893 by chemist Nagayoshi Nagai. as the most common method of manufacturing methamphetamine in the US and possibly in Mexico. Hydroiodic acid "super lab busts" receive more media attention because the equipment employed is much more complex and visible than the glass jars or coffee carafes commonly used to produce methamphetamine with Birch reduction.

factory in Cikande, IndonesiaA completely different procedure of synthesis uses the reductive amination of phenylacetone with methylamine, both of which are currently Drug Enforcement Administration DEA list I chemicals chemicals (as are pseudoephedrine and ephedrine). The reaction requires a catalyst that acts as a reducing agent, such as mercury-aluminum amalgam or platinum dioxide, also known as Adams' catalyst. This was once the preferred method of production by motorcycle gangs in California, until DEA restrictions on the chemicals have made this difficult. Other less common methods use other means of hydrogenation, such as hydrogen gas in the presence of a catalyst.

Methamphetamine labs can give off noxious fumes, such as phosphine gas, methylamine gas, solvent vapors; such as acetone or chloroform, iodine vapors, white phosphorus, anhydrous ammonia, hydrogen chloride/muriatic acid, hydrogen iodide, lithium/sodium metal, ether, or methamphetamine vapors. If performed by amateurs, manufacturing methamphetamine can be extremely dangerous. If the red phosphorus overheats, because of a lack of ventilation, phosphine gas can be produced. This gas, if present in large quantities, is likely to explode upon autoignition from diphosphine, which is formed by overheating phosphorus.

Production and distribution Until the early 1990s, methamphetamine for the US market was made mostly in labs run by drug traffickers in Mexico and California. Since then, authorities have discovered increasing numbers of small-scale methamphetamine labs all over the United States, mostly in rural, suburban, or low-income areas. Indiana state police found 1,260 labs in 2003, compared to just 6 in 1995, although this may be a result of increased police activity. Law Enforcement Facts Recently, mobile and motel-based methamphetamine labs have caught the attention of both the US news media and the police.

These labs can cause explosions and fires, and expose the public to hazardous chemicals. Those who manufacture methamphetamine are often harmed by toxic gases. Many police departments have specialized task forces with training to respond to cases of methamphetamine production. The National Drug Threat Assessment 2006, produced by the United States Department of Justice, found "decreased domestic methamphetamine production in both small and large-scale laboratories", but also that "decreases in domestic methamphetamine production have been offset by increased production in Mexico." They concluded that "methamphetamine availability is not likely to decline in the near term." Methamphetamine. National Drug Intelligence Center. National Drug Threat Assessment 2006. January 2006.

In July 2007, a ship was caught by Mexican officials at the port of Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, originating in Hong Kong, after traveling through the port of Long Beach, California with 19 tons of pseudoephedrine, a raw material needed for meth. The China owner was found to have $206 million at his Mexico City mansion. It went undetected at Long Beach.

Methamphetamine is distributed by prison gangs, Motorcycle club#Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, street gangs, traditional organized crime operations, and impromptu small networks. In the U.S. illicit methamphetamine comes in a variety of forms, at an average price of $150 per gram for pure substance. The Price and Purity of Illicit Drugs: 1981 Through the Second Quarter of 2003 Most commonly it is found as a colorless crystalline solid. Impurities may result in a brownish or tan color. Colourful flavored pills containing methamphetamine and caffeine are known as yaba (drug) (Thai for "crazy medicine").

At its most impure, it is sold as a crumbly brown or off-white rock commonly referred to as "peanut butter crank." Methamphetamine Meth LabsMethamphetamine found on the street is rarely pure, but adulterated with chemicals that were used to synthesize it. It may be diluted or "cutting agent" with non-psychoactive substances like inositol or dimethylsulfone. Another popular method is to combine methamphetamine with other stimulant substances such as caffeine or Cathine into a pill known as a "Kamikaze", which is particularly dangerous due to the synergetic effects of multiple stimulants on the heart. It may also be flavored with high-sugar candies, drinks, or drink mixes to mask the bitter taste of the drug. Coloring may be added to the meth, as is the case with "Strawberry Quick." New York Times Drug Horrors: Quick Start. Snopes.com.

Medical use d-Methamphetamine Methamphetamine is used medically under the brand name Desoxyn for the following conditions: Because of its social stigma, Desoxyn is not generally prescribed for ADHD unless other stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin®), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine®) or mixed amphetamines (Adderall®) have failed.

Tolerance As with other amphetamines, tolerance to methamphetamine is not completely understood, but known to be sufficiently complex that it cannot be explained by any single mechanism. The extent of tolerance and the rate at which it develops varies widely between individuals, and even within one person it is highly dependent on dosage, duration of use and frequency of administration. Many cases of narcolepsy are treated with methamphetamine for years without escalating doses or any apparent loss of effect.

Short term tolerance can be caused by depleted levels of neurotransmitters within the vesicles available for release into the synaptic cleft following subsequent reuse (tachyphylaxis). Short term tolerance typically lasts 2-3 days, until neurotransmitter levels are fully replenished.Prolonged overstimulation of dopamine receptors caused by methamphetamine may eventually cause the receptors to downregulation in order to compensate for increased levels of dopamine within the synaptic cleft. To compensate, larger quantities of the drug are needed in order to achieve the same level of effects.

Effects Range of effects Common immediate effects.: Methamphetamine - Summary of clinical effects

Side effects associated with chronic use: Side effects associated with overdose:

Death from overdose is usually due to stroke, heart failure, but can also be caused by cardiac arrest (sudden death) or hyperthermia.

Meth mouth Methamphetamine addicts may lose their teeth abnormally quickly, a condition known as "meth mouth". This effect is not caused by any corrosive effects of the drug itself, which is a common myth. According to the American Dental Association, meth mouth "is probably caused by a combination of drug-induced psychological and physiological changes resulting in xerostomia (dry mouth), extended periods of poor oral hygiene, frequent consumption of high calorie, carbonated beverages and tooth grinding and clenching." Similar, though far less severe symptoms have been reported in clinical use of other amphetamines, where effects are not exacerbated by a lack of oral hygiene for extended periods. Relationship between amphetamine ingestion and gingival enlargement

Like other substances which stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, methamphetamine causes decreased production of acid-fighting saliva and increased thirst, resulting in increased risk for tooth decay, especially when thirst is quenched by high-sugar drinks. Shaner JW, Caries associated with methamphetamine abuse

Sexual behaviour Users may exhibit sexual compulsion behaviour while under the influence. This disregard for the potential dangers of unprotected sex or other reckless sexual behavior may contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Among the effects reported by methamphetamine users is an increase in the need and urgency for sex, the ability to have sex for extended periods of time, and an inability to ejaculate or reach orgasm or physical release. In addition to increasing the need for sex and enabling the user to engage in prolonged sexual activity, methamphetamine lowers inhibitions and may cause users to behave recklessly or to become forgetful. Users may even report negative experiences after prolonged use, which contradict reported feelings, thoughts, and attitudes achieved at similar dosages under similar circumstances but at earlier periods of an extended or prolonged cycle. http://www.methamphetamineaddiction.com/treatment_admissions.html

Additionally, many chronic users find themselves engaging in excessive and repeated masturbation. According to a recent San Diego study , methamphetamine users often engage in safe sex activities, and forget or choose not to use condoms. The study found that methamphetamine users were six times less likely to use condoms. The urgency for sex combined with the inability to achieve release (ejaculation) can result in tearing, chafing, and trauma (such as rawness and friction sores) to the sex organs, the rectum and mouth, dramatically increasing the risk of transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Methamphetamine also causes erectile dysfunction due to vasoconstriction.

Addiction In an article about his son's addiction to methamphetamine, California writer and former methamphetamine user David Schiff said "This drug has a unique, horrific quality." In an interview, Stephan Jenkins, the singer in the band Third Eye Blind, said that methamphetamine makes you feel "bright and shiny."

Methamphetamine is addictive Do You Know... Methamphetamine. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health., especially when injected or smoked. Methamphetamine/Amphetamine Treatment Admissions, by Route of Administration While not life-threatening, withdrawal is often intense and, as with all addictions, relapse is common. To combat relapse, many recovering addicts attend Twelve-step program meetings, such as Crystal Meth Anonymous.

Methamphetamine-induced hyperstimulation of pleasure pathways leads to anhedonia. Former users have noted that they feel stupid or dull when they quit using methamphetamine. It is possible that daily administration of the amino acids L-Tyrosine and 5-HTP/Tryptophan can aid in the recovery process by making it easier for the body to reverse the depletion of Dopamine, Norepinephrine, and Serotonin. Although studies involving the use of these amino acids have shown some success, this method of recovery has not been shown to be consistently effective.

It is shown that taking ascorbic acid prior to using methamphetamine may help reduce acute toxicity to the brain, as rats given the human equivalent of 5-10 grams of ascorbic acid 30 minutes prior to methamphetamine dosage had toxicity mediated, yet this will likely be of little avail in solving the serious behavioral problems associated with methamphetamine use that create many of the problems the users experience.

Hygiene Serious health and appearance problems are caused by unsterilized needles, lack of hygiene, the chemistry of methamphetamine (particularly when smoked), and especially pollutants in street-grade methamphetamine . The use of methamphetamine may lead to hypertension, damage to heart valves, vastly deteriorated dental health, and increased risk of strokes.*Richards, J.R., Brofeldt, B.T. Patterns of tooth wear associated with methamphetamine use. J Periodontol. 2000 Aug; 71(8):1371–4.

Combating addiction To combat addiction, doctors are beginning to use other forms of amphetamine such as dextroamphetamine to break the addiction cycle in a method similar to methadone for heroin addicts. There are no known drugs comparable to naloxone, which blocks opiate receptors and is therefore used in treating opiate dependence, for use with methamphetamine problems.The Ice Age (See Below) Since the phenethylamine phentermine is a constitutional isomer of methamphetamine, it has been speculated that it may be effective in treating methamphetamine addiction. Although phenteremine is a central nervous stimulant that acts on dopamine and norepinephrine, it has not been reported to cause the same degree of euphoria that is associated with other amphetemines.

Routes of administration The usual route for medical use is oral administration. In recreational use, it can be swallowed, snorted, smoked, dissolved in water and injected (or even without water, in what is called a dry shot), inserted anally (with or without dissolution in water; also known as a booty bump or shafting), or into the urethra.Ellison, J.M.; Dobies, D.F. Ann. Emerg. Med., Vol 13, No 3, pp. 198-200 The potential for addiction is greater when it is delivered by methods that cause the concentration in the blood to rise quickly, principally because the effects desired by the user are felt more quickly and with a higher intensity than through a moderated delivery mechanism.

Studies have shown that the subjective pleasure of drug use (the reinforcing component of addiction) is proportional to the rate that the blood level of the drug increases. In general, smoking is the fastest mechanism (i.e., it causes the blood concentration to rise the most quickly in the shortest period of time as it allows the substance to travel to the brain through a more direct route than intravenous injection), followed by injecting, anal insertion, insufflation, and swallowing.

Smoking "Smoking" amphetamines actually refers to vaporizing it to produce fumes, rather than burning and inhaling the resulting smoke, as with tobacco. It is commonly smoked in glass pipes, or in aluminum foil heated by a flame underneath. This method is also known as "chasing the white dragon" (as derived from the method of smoking heroin known as "chasing the dragon") or it's more commonly called "Clucking". There is little evidence that Methamphetamine inhalation results in greater toxicity than any other route of administration. Lung damage has been reported with long-term use, but manifests in forms independent of route (pulmonary hypertension and associated complications), or limited to injection users (pulmonary emboli).

Injection Drug injection is a popular method for use, also known as slamming, but carries quite serious risks. The hydrochloride salt of methamphetamine is soluble in water; injection users may use any dose from 125 mg to over a gram, using a small needle. This dosage range may be fatal to non-addicts; addicts rapidly develop tolerance to the drug. Injection users often experience skin rashes (sometimes called "speed bumps") and infections at the site of injection. As with any injected drug, if a group of users needle sharing or any type of injecting equipment without sterilization procedures, blood-borne diseases such as HIV or hepatitis can be transmitted as well.

Other methods Very little research has focused on anal insertion as a method, and anecdotal evidence of its effects is infrequently discussed, possibly due to social taboos in many cultures regarding the anus. This is often known within communities that use methamphetamine for sexual stimulation as a "butt rocket," "booty bump," "keistering,", "plugging," "shelving," or "bumming"and is anecdotally reported to increase sexual pleasure while the effects of the drug last. Meth Myths, Meth Realities The rectum is where the majority of the drug would likely be taken up, through the membranes lining its walls. (See Methamphetamine and sex for further information on other risk factors.)Another way of ingesting methamphetamine is to crush the crystals up and insufflate (snort) them. This also bypasses first pass metabolism and goes straight into the bloodstream.

Legality Australia Strictly speaking, as a Schedule 8 drug, the medical use of methamphetamine is recognised in Australia, however in practise this is not the case. It is also known as Ice and has become the focus of a nation-wide crackdown. As of 2007, this has become part of the election agenda for both major political parties.

Canada Methamphetamine is not approved for medical use in Canada. The maximum penalty for the production and distribution is imprisonment for life.

Hong Kong Methamphetamine is regulated under Schedule 1 of Hong Kong Chapter 134 Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. It can only be used legally by health professionals and for university research purposes. The substance can be given by pharmacists under a prescription. Anyone who supplies the substance without prescription can be fined $10000(HKD). The penalty for trafficking or manufacturing the substance is a $5,000,000 (Hong Kong dollar) fine and life imprisonment. Possession of the substance for consumption without license from the Department of Health is illegal with a $1,000,000 (HKD) fine and/or 7 years of jail time.

The Netherlands Methamphetamine is not approved for medical use in The Netherlands. It falls under Schedule I of the Opium Act. Although production and distribution of this drug are prohibited, few people who were caught with a small amount for personal use have been prosecuted.

New Zealand Methamphetamine is a Class "A" controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (New Zealand). The maximum penalty for production and distribution is imprisonment for life. While in theory a doctor could prescribe it for an appropriate indication, this would require case-by-case approval by the director-general of public health. In New Zealand, Methamphetamine is most commonly referred to by the street name P Alcohol & Drug Info: Methamphetamine (P).

South Africa In South Africa, methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule 5 drug, and is listed as Undesirable Dependence-Producing Substances in Part III of Schedule 2 of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, 1992 (Act No 140 of 1992). Drug Effects - Amphetamine-type Stimulants (ATS). Commonly called Tik, it is mostly abused by youths under the age of 20 in the Cape Flats areas.

United Kingdom As of 18 January 2007, of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment Order) SI 2006/3331 methamphetamine is classified as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 following a recommendation made by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs in June 2006. Crystal meth to be class A drug, BBC News, 14 June 2006 It had previously been classified as aClass B drug, except when prepared for injection.

United States {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" align="right"|+ Methamphetamine Lab Seizures in the US|-! Year !! Seizures|-|1999 || 7,438|-|2000 || 9,902|-|2001 || 13,357|-|2002 || 16,212|-|2003 || 17,356|-|2004 || 17,710|-|2005 || 12,484|-|2006 || 6,435|}Methamphetamine is classified as a Controlled Substances Act#Schedule II drugs substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances. List of psychotropic substances under international control. International Narcotics Control Board. It is available by prescription under the trade name Desoxyn, manufactured by Ovation Pharma. While there is technically no difference between the laws regarding methamphetamine and other controlled stimulants, most medical professionals are averse to prescribing it due to its notoriety.

Illicit methamphetamine has become a major focus of the 'war on drugs' in the United States in recent years. In addition to federal laws, some states have placed additional restrictions on the sale of precursor chemicals commonly used to synthesize methamphetamine, particularly pseudoephedrine, a common over-the-counter decongestant. In 2005, the Drug Enforcement Administration seized 2,148.6kg of methamphetamine. Stats & Facts: 2006 Successes in the Fight Against Drugs In 2005, the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 was passed as part of the USA PATRIOT Act, putting restrictions on the sale of methamphetamine precursors.

On November 7, 2006, the US Department of Justice declared that November 30, 2006 be Methamphetamine Awareness Day.

Drug Enforcement Administration El Paso Intelligence Center EPICdata is showing a distinct downward trend in the seizure of clandestine drug labs for the illicit manufacture of methampetamine from a high of 17,356 in 2003. Lab seizure data for the United States is available from EPIC beginning in 1999 when 7,438 labs were reported to have been seized during that calendar year.

Legality of similar chemicals See pseudoephedrine and ephedrine for legal restrictions in place as a result of their use as precursors in the clandestine chemistry of methamphetamine.

See also

References

Footnotes Documentaries

External links





{{Drugbox|

|IUPAC_name = n-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-2-amine| image = Methamphetamine-2D-skeletal-.svg| image2 = Methamphetamine-3d-CPK.png| width=200| CAS_number=537-46-2| ATC_prefix=N06| ATC_suffix=BA03| ATC_supplemental=| PubChem=1206| DrugBank=| C=10 | H=15 | N=1| molecular_weight = 149.233 g/mol| smiles = CC(CC1=CC=CC=C1)NC| synonyms = Deoxyephedrine
Pervitin
Anadrex
Metamfetamine
Methylamphetamine| bioavailability= 62.7% oral; 79% nasal; 90.3% smoked; 99% rectally; 100% IV| metabolism = Hepatic| pregnancy_AU =| pregnancy_US = C| pregnancy_category =| legal_AU = S9| legal_CA = Schedule I| legal_UK =| legal_US = Schedule II| legal_status = Class A([New Zealand)
Schedule 5(South Africa)
Injectable:Class A, Oral: A(United Kingdom)| routes_of_administration= Medical: Oral
Recreational: Oral, Intravenous therapy, Intramuscular injection, Insufflation, Inhalation, Suppository--> Methamphetamine (methylamphetamine or desoxyephedrine), popularly shortened to meth and also nicknamed "ice", is a stimulant and sympathomimetics psychoactive drug. The dextrorotatory isomer dextromethamphetamine can be prescribed to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, though unmethylated amphetamine is more commonly prescribed. Also, narcolepsy, and obesity can be treated by the aformentioned isomer under the brand name Desoxyn. It is considered a second line of treatment, used when amphetamine and methylphenidate cause the patient too many side effects. It is only recommended for short term use (~6 weeks) in obesity patients because it is thought that the anoretic effects of the drug are short lived and produce tolerance quickly, whereas the effects on CNS stimulation are much less susceptable to tolerance. It is also used illegally for weight loss and to maintain alertness, focus, motivation, and mental clarity for extended periods of time, and for recreational drug use purposes. "Crystal meth" refers to the Wiktionary:crystalline, pipe smoking form of the drug and is not used for the drug in pill or powdered form.

Methamphetamine enters the brain and triggers a Neuropsychopharmacology#Neurotransmission of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. To a lesser extent Methamphetamine acts as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor and Adrenergic receptor reuptake inhibitor and in high concentrations as a monamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Since it stimulates the mesolimbic pathway, causing euphoria and excitement, it is prone to Substance abuse and addiction.Users may become obsessed or perform repetitive tasks such as cleaning, hand-washing, or Punding. Withdrawal is characterized by excessive sleeping, eating and Depression (mood)-like symptoms, often accompanied by anxiety and drug-craving. Users of methamphetamine often take one or more benzodiazepines as a means of "coming down".

History Methamphetamine was first synthesized from ephedrine in Japan in 1893 by chemist Nagayoshi Nagai. as the most common method of manufacturing methamphetamine in the US and possibly in Mexico. Hydroiodic acid "super lab busts" receive more media attention because the equipment employed is much more complex and visible than the glass jars or coffee carafes commonly used to produce methamphetamine with Birch reduction.

factory in Cikande, IndonesiaA completely different procedure of synthesis uses the reductive amination of phenylacetone with methylamine, both of which are currently Drug Enforcement Administration DEA list I chemicals chemicals (as are pseudoephedrine and ephedrine). The reaction requires a catalyst that acts as a reducing agent, such as mercury-aluminum amalgam or platinum dioxide, also known as Adams' catalyst. This was once the preferred method of production by motorcycle gangs in California, until DEA restrictions on the chemicals have made this difficult. Other less common methods use other means of hydrogenation, such as hydrogen gas in the presence of a catalyst.

Methamphetamine labs can give off noxious fumes, such as phosphine gas, methylamine gas, solvent vapors; such as acetone or chloroform, iodine vapors, white phosphorus, anhydrous ammonia, hydrogen chloride/muriatic acid, hydrogen iodide, lithium/sodium metal, ether, or methamphetamine vapors. If performed by amateurs, manufacturing methamphetamine can be extremely dangerous. If the red phosphorus overheats, because of a lack of ventilation, phosphine gas can be produced. This gas, if present in large quantities, is likely to explode upon autoignition from diphosphine, which is formed by overheating phosphorus.

Production and distribution Until the early 1990s, methamphetamine for the US market was made mostly in labs run by drug traffickers in Mexico and California. Since then, authorities have discovered increasing numbers of small-scale methamphetamine labs all over the United States, mostly in rural, suburban, or low-income areas. Indiana state police found 1,260 labs in 2003, compared to just 6 in 1995, although this may be a result of increased police activity. Law Enforcement Facts Recently, mobile and motel-based methamphetamine labs have caught the attention of both the US news media and the police.

These labs can cause explosions and fires, and expose the public to hazardous chemicals. Those who manufacture methamphetamine are often harmed by toxic gases. Many police departments have specialized task forces with training to respond to cases of methamphetamine production. The National Drug Threat Assessment 2006, produced by the United States Department of Justice, found "decreased domestic methamphetamine production in both small and large-scale laboratories", but also that "decreases in domestic methamphetamine production have been offset by increased production in Mexico." They concluded that "methamphetamine availability is not likely to decline in the near term." Methamphetamine. National Drug Intelligence Center. National Drug Threat Assessment 2006. January 2006.

In July 2007, a ship was caught by Mexican officials at the port of Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, originating in Hong Kong, after traveling through the port of Long Beach, California with 19 tons of pseudoephedrine, a raw material needed for meth. The China owner was found to have $206 million at his Mexico City mansion. It went undetected at Long Beach.

Methamphetamine is distributed by prison gangs, Motorcycle club#Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, street gangs, traditional organized crime operations, and impromptu small networks. In the U.S. illicit methamphetamine comes in a variety of forms, at an average price of $150 per gram for pure substance. The Price and Purity of Illicit Drugs: 1981 Through the Second Quarter of 2003 Most commonly it is found as a colorless crystalline solid. Impurities may result in a brownish or tan color. Colourful flavored pills containing methamphetamine and caffeine are known as yaba (drug) (Thai for "crazy medicine").

At its most impure, it is sold as a crumbly brown or off-white rock commonly referred to as "peanut butter crank." Methamphetamine Meth LabsMethamphetamine found on the street is rarely pure, but adulterated with chemicals that were used to synthesize it. It may be diluted or "cutting agent" with non-psychoactive substances like inositol or dimethylsulfone. Another popular method is to combine methamphetamine with other stimulant substances such as caffeine or Cathine into a pill known as a "Kamikaze", which is particularly dangerous due to the synergetic effects of multiple stimulants on the heart. It may also be flavored with high-sugar candies, drinks, or drink mixes to mask the bitter taste of the drug. Coloring may be added to the meth, as is the case with "Strawberry Quick." New York Times Drug Horrors: Quick Start. Snopes.com.

Medical use d-Methamphetamine Methamphetamine is used medically under the brand name Desoxyn for the following conditions: Because of its social stigma, Desoxyn is not generally prescribed for ADHD unless other stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin®), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine®) or mixed amphetamines (Adderall®) have failed.

Tolerance As with other amphetamines, tolerance to methamphetamine is not completely understood, but known to be sufficiently complex that it cannot be explained by any single mechanism. The extent of tolerance and the rate at which it develops varies widely between individuals, and even within one person it is highly dependent on dosage, duration of use and frequency of administration. Many cases of narcolepsy are treated with methamphetamine for years without escalating doses or any apparent loss of effect.

Short term tolerance can be caused by depleted levels of neurotransmitters within the vesicles available for release into the synaptic cleft following subsequent reuse (tachyphylaxis). Short term tolerance typically lasts 2-3 days, until neurotransmitter levels are fully replenished.Prolonged overstimulation of dopamine receptors caused by methamphetamine may eventually cause the receptors to downregulation in order to compensate for increased levels of dopamine within the synaptic cleft. To compensate, larger quantities of the drug are needed in order to achieve the same level of effects.

Effects Range of effects Common immediate effects.: Methamphetamine - Summary of clinical effects

Side effects associated with chronic use: Side effects associated with overdose:

Death from overdose is usually due to stroke, heart failure, but can also be caused by cardiac arrest (sudden death) or hyperthermia.

Meth mouth Methamphetamine addicts may lose their teeth abnormally quickly, a condition known as "meth mouth". This effect is not caused by any corrosive effects of the drug itself, which is a common myth. According to the American Dental Association, meth mouth "is probably caused by a combination of drug-induced psychological and physiological changes resulting in xerostomia (dry mouth), extended periods of poor oral hygiene, frequent consumption of high calorie, carbonated beverages and tooth grinding and clenching." Similar, though far less severe symptoms have been reported in clinical use of other amphetamines, where effects are not exacerbated by a lack of oral hygiene for extended periods. Relationship between amphetamine ingestion and gingival enlargement

Like other substances which stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, methamphetamine causes decreased production of acid-fighting saliva and increased thirst, resulting in increased risk for tooth decay, especially when thirst is quenched by high-sugar drinks. Shaner JW, Caries associated with methamphetamine abuse

Sexual behaviour Users may exhibit sexual compulsion behaviour while under the influence. This disregard for the potential dangers of unprotected sex or other reckless sexual behavior may contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Among the effects reported by methamphetamine users is an increase in the need and urgency for sex, the ability to have sex for extended periods of time, and an inability to ejaculate or reach orgasm or physical release. In addition to increasing the need for sex and enabling the user to engage in prolonged sexual activity, methamphetamine lowers inhibitions and may cause users to behave recklessly or to become forgetful. Users may even report negative experiences after prolonged use, which contradict reported feelings, thoughts, and attitudes achieved at similar dosages under similar circumstances but at earlier periods of an extended or prolonged cycle. http://www.methamphetamineaddiction.com/treatment_admissions.html

Additionally, many chronic users find themselves engaging in excessive and repeated masturbation. According to a recent San Diego study , methamphetamine users often engage in safe sex activities, and forget or choose not to use condoms. The study found that methamphetamine users were six times less likely to use condoms. The urgency for sex combined with the inability to achieve release (ejaculation) can result in tearing, chafing, and trauma (such as rawness and friction sores) to the sex organs, the rectum and mouth, dramatically increasing the risk of transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Methamphetamine also causes erectile dysfunction due to vasoconstriction.

Addiction In an article about his son's addiction to methamphetamine, California writer and former methamphetamine user David Schiff said "This drug has a unique, horrific quality." In an interview, Stephan Jenkins, the singer in the band Third Eye Blind, said that methamphetamine makes you feel "bright and shiny."

Methamphetamine is addictive Do You Know... Methamphetamine. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health., especially when injected or smoked. Methamphetamine/Amphetamine Treatment Admissions, by Route of Administration While not life-threatening, withdrawal is often intense and, as with all addictions, relapse is common. To combat relapse, many recovering addicts attend Twelve-step program meetings, such as Crystal Meth Anonymous.

Methamphetamine-induced hyperstimulation of pleasure pathways leads to anhedonia. Former users have noted that they feel stupid or dull when they quit using methamphetamine. It is possible that daily administration of the amino acids L-Tyrosine and 5-HTP/Tryptophan can aid in the recovery process by making it easier for the body to reverse the depletion of Dopamine, Norepinephrine, and Serotonin. Although studies involving the use of these amino acids have shown some success, this method of recovery has not been shown to be consistently effective.

It is shown that taking ascorbic acid prior to using methamphetamine may help reduce acute toxicity to the brain, as rats given the human equivalent of 5-10 grams of ascorbic acid 30 minutes prior to methamphetamine dosage had toxicity mediated, yet this will likely be of little avail in solving the serious behavioral problems associated with methamphetamine use that create many of the problems the users experience.

Hygiene Serious health and appearance problems are caused by unsterilized needles, lack of hygiene, the chemistry of methamphetamine (particularly when smoked), and especially pollutants in street-grade methamphetamine . The use of methamphetamine may lead to hypertension, damage to heart valves, vastly deteriorated dental health, and increased risk of strokes.*Richards, J.R., Brofeldt, B.T. Patterns of tooth wear associated with methamphetamine use. J Periodontol. 2000 Aug; 71(8):1371–4.

Combating addiction To combat addiction, doctors are beginning to use other forms of amphetamine such as dextroamphetamine to break the addiction cycle in a method similar to methadone for heroin addicts. There are no known drugs comparable to naloxone, which blocks opiate receptors and is therefore used in treating opiate dependence, for use with methamphetamine problems.The Ice Age (See Below) Since the phenethylamine phentermine is a constitutional isomer of methamphetamine, it has been speculated that it may be effective in treating methamphetamine addiction. Although phenteremine is a central nervous stimulant that acts on dopamine and norepinephrine, it has not been reported to cause the same degree of euphoria that is associated with other amphetemines.

Routes of administration The usual route for medical use is oral administration. In recreational use, it can be swallowed, snorted, smoked, dissolved in water and injected (or even without water, in what is called a dry shot), inserted anally (with or without dissolution in water; also known as a booty bump or shafting), or into the urethra.Ellison, J.M.; Dobies, D.F. Ann. Emerg. Med., Vol 13, No 3, pp. 198-200 The potential for addiction is greater when it is delivered by methods that cause the concentration in the blood to rise quickly, principally because the effects desired by the user are felt more quickly and with a higher intensity than through a moderated delivery mechanism.

Studies have shown that the subjective pleasure of drug use (the reinforcing component of addiction) is proportional to the rate that the blood level of the drug increases. In general, smoking is the fastest mechanism (i.e., it causes the blood concentration to rise the most quickly in the shortest period of time as it allows the substance to travel to the brain through a more direct route than intravenous injection), followed by injecting, anal insertion, insufflation, and swallowing.

Smoking "Smoking" amphetamines actually refers to vaporizing it to produce fumes, rather than burning and inhaling the resulting smoke, as with tobacco. It is commonly smoked in glass pipes, or in aluminum foil heated by a flame underneath. This method is also known as "chasing the white dragon" (as derived from the method of smoking heroin known as "chasing the dragon") or it's more commonly called "Clucking". There is little evidence that Methamphetamine inhalation results in greater toxicity than any other route of administration. Lung damage has been reported with long-term use, but manifests in forms independent of route (pulmonary hypertension and associated complications), or limited to injection users (pulmonary emboli).

Injection Drug injection is a popular method for use, also known as slamming, but carries quite serious risks. The hydrochloride salt of methamphetamine is soluble in water; injection users may use any dose from 125 mg to over a gram, using a small needle. This dosage range may be fatal to non-addicts; addicts rapidly develop tolerance to the drug. Injection users often experience skin rashes (sometimes called "speed bumps") and infections at the site of injection. As with any injected drug, if a group of users needle sharing or any type of injecting equipment without sterilization procedures, blood-borne diseases such as HIV or hepatitis can be transmitted as well.

Other methods Very little research has focused on anal insertion as a method, and anecdotal evidence of its effects is infrequently discussed, possibly due to social taboos in many cultures regarding the anus. This is often known within communities that use methamphetamine for sexual stimulation as a "butt rocket," "booty bump," "keistering,", "plugging," "shelving," or "bumming"and is anecdotally reported to increase sexual pleasure while the effects of the drug last. Meth Myths, Meth Realities The rectum is where the majority of the drug would likely be taken up, through the membranes lining its walls. (See Methamphetamine and sex for further information on other risk factors.)Another way of ingesting methamphetamine is to crush the crystals up and insufflate (snort) them. This also bypasses first pass metabolism and goes straight into the bloodstream.

Legality Australia Strictly speaking, as a Schedule 8 drug, the medical use of methamphetamine is recognised in Australia, however in practise this is not the case. It is also known as Ice and has become the focus of a nation-wide crackdown. As of 2007, this has become part of the election agenda for both major political parties.

Canada Methamphetamine is not approved for medical use in Canada. The maximum penalty for the production and distribution is imprisonment for life.

Hong Kong Methamphetamine is regulated under Schedule 1 of Hong Kong Chapter 134 Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. It can only be used legally by health professionals and for university research purposes. The substance can be given by pharmacists under a prescription. Anyone who supplies the substance without prescription can be fined $10000(HKD). The penalty for trafficking or manufacturing the substance is a $5,000,000 (Hong Kong dollar) fine and life imprisonment. Possession of the substance for consumption without license from the Department of Health is illegal with a $1,000,000 (HKD) fine and/or 7 years of jail time.

The Netherlands Methamphetamine is not approved for medical use in The Netherlands. It falls under Schedule I of the Opium Act. Although production and distribution of this drug are prohibited, few people who were caught with a small amount for personal use have been prosecuted.

New Zealand Methamphetamine is a Class "A" controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (New Zealand). The maximum penalty for production and distribution is imprisonment for life. While in theory a doctor could prescribe it for an appropriate indication, this would require case-by-case approval by the director-general of public health. In New Zealand, Methamphetamine is most commonly referred to by the street name P Alcohol & Drug Info: Methamphetamine (P).

South Africa In South Africa, methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule 5 drug, and is listed as Undesirable Dependence-Producing Substances in Part III of Schedule 2 of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, 1992 (Act No 140 of 1992). Drug Effects - Amphetamine-type Stimulants (ATS). Commonly called Tik, it is mostly abused by youths under the age of 20 in the Cape Flats areas.

United Kingdom As of 18 January 2007, of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment Order) SI 2006/3331 methamphetamine is classified as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 following a recommendation made by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs in June 2006. Crystal meth to be class A drug, BBC News, 14 June 2006 It had previously been classified as aClass B drug, except when prepared for injection.

United States {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" align="right"|+ Methamphetamine Lab Seizures in the US|-! Year !! Seizures|-|1999 || 7,438|-|2000 || 9,902|-|2001 || 13,357|-|2002 || 16,212|-|2003 || 17,356|-|2004 || 17,710|-|2005 || 12,484|-|2006 || 6,435|}Methamphetamine is classified as a Controlled Substances Act#Schedule II drugs substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances. List of psychotropic substances under international control. International Narcotics Control Board. It is available by prescription under the trade name Desoxyn, manufactured by Ovation Pharma. While there is technically no difference between the laws regarding methamphetamine and other controlled stimulants, most medical professionals are averse to prescribing it due to its notoriety.

Illicit methamphetamine has become a major focus of the 'war on drugs' in the United States in recent years. In addition to federal laws, some states have placed additional restrictions on the sale of precursor chemicals commonly used to synthesize methamphetamine, particularly pseudoephedrine, a common over-the-counter decongestant. In 2005, the Drug Enforcement Administration seized 2,148.6kg of methamphetamine. Stats & Facts: 2006 Successes in the Fight Against Drugs In 2005, the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 was passed as part of the USA PATRIOT Act, putting restrictions on the sale of methamphetamine precursors.

On November 7, 2006, the US Department of Justice declared that November 30, 2006 be Methamphetamine Awareness Day.

Drug Enforcement Administration El Paso Intelligence Center EPICdata is showing a distinct downward trend in the seizure of clandestine drug labs for the illicit manufacture of methampetamine from a high of 17,356 in 2003. Lab seizure data for the United States is available from EPIC beginning in 1999 when 7,438 labs were reported to have been seized during that calendar year.

Legality of similar chemicals See pseudoephedrine and ephedrine for legal restrictions in place as a result of their use as precursors in the clandestine chemistry of methamphetamine.

See also

References

Footnotes Documentaries

External links





methamphetamine.co.uk : on dangerous ice
ice: pure smokable methamphetamine ... Ice" is recrystalised methamphetamine hydrochloride. Methamphetamine is a potent stimulant first synthesized in Japan in 1919.

InfoFacts - Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a very addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. It is a Schedule II stimulant, which means it has a high potential for abuse and is ...

Methamphetamine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Methamphetamine (/mɛθæmfɛtəmiːn/, a.k.a. methyl amphetamine, N-methylamphetamine or desoxyephedrine) is a psychostimulant and sympathomimetic drug.

Methamphetamine group - DontStayIn
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The Methamphetamine FAQ
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urban75 drug information: a huge online resource of drug information, help and advice including cannabis, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, solvents, ketamine and more.

Methamphetamine - NIDA Drugs of Abuse and Related Topics
Summary of links to available resources on the National Institute on Drug Abuse web site involving methamphetamine.

MedlinePlus: Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine ... Methamphetamine is a very addictive stimulant drug. It can be smoked, injected, inhaled or taken by mouth.

Definition: methamphetamine from Online Medical Dictionary
The Online Medical Dictionary is a searchable dictionary of definitions from medicine, science and technology.

Office of National Drug Control Policy - Methamphetamine
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