The purpose of this report is to explain the effect of Methamphetamine on the brain and therefore the user’s relationships with society. The user’s relationships with society can be strongly effected while under the influence of Methamphetamine, and this can impact anyone in society, including the user’s friends and family. Methamphetamine users often have a number of identifiable symptoms including teeth grinding, excessive sweating and reduced appetite. Long terms users may have feelings of anxiety and depression and severe dental issues due tooth teeth grinding and decay. Users may also have increased amounts of aggressive and violent behaviour towards members of society, as well as possibly having Methamphetamine psychosis, where the user haves feelings of paranoia and strong hallucinations including tactile hallucination such as formication. Regular Methamphetamine users can also severely damage their brains beyond repair, including the destructions of dopamine receptors and therefore the natural process of the human brain’s reward system, resulting in the users never being able to feel rewarded without the use of the drug, resulting in them being a constant state of depression. All of these symptoms and consequences combine to immensely taint the user’s relationship with society, resulting in a number of social issues, such as family and relationship problems, losing friends, jobs, failing at school and study and possible homelessness. The users may also have financial issues if they become dependent on the drug, and possibly committing crimes and other illegal acts to fund their drug use. This essay will be exploring the chemical properties of Methamphetamine, as well as looking at the effects Methamphetamine has on the human body, especially the brain and central nervous system. It will also be looking at the user’s relationships with society and how Methamphetamine use can affect these relationships.



Background

Methamphetamine is a synthetic drug, and is a stimulant of the central nervous system (CNS). The production of Methamphetamine includes a number of potent chemicals such acetone, toluene, hydrochloric acid, pseudoephedrine, lithium, red phosphorous, sodium hydroxide anhydrous ammonia and sulfuric acid. These are only some of the chemicals used to create the highly potent drug Methamphetamine. Methamphetamine ‘cooks’ may also mix with various other forms of amphetamine or derivatives of the drug with other chemicals, with common cold medicine used as a basis for the production of the drug. Methamphetamine is formed after reacting Phenyl-2-Propanone (Phenylacetone) with Methylamine to produce Methamphetamine (Shown in Figure 1).


(Figure 1) Phenylacetone and methylamine synthesis to form Methamphetamine –
Retrieved from http://rsc-couchchem.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/how-does-methamphetamine-effect-brain.html#more 

There is also many other methods for Methamphetamine ‘cooks’ to create the infamous drug, with the production in the majority of methods starting with either phenylacetone or pseudoephedrine. The popular methods used include the Leuckart or reductive amination methods, which are both prepared starting with phenylacetone as the base for the reactions. Using the Leuckart method, phenylacetone is reacted with two equivalents of N-methylformamide to produce the formyl amide of Methamphetamine plus side products of carbon dioxide and methylamine. Another way to create the desired drug, is to react phenylacetone with methylamine under reducing conditions to create Methamphetamine. Methamphetamine can also be created through a number of other methods including the Nagai method, Birch’s Reduction and the Shake ‘n’ Bake method. These involve reactions with many different chemicals such as red phosphorous, Hydriodic Acid, Anhydrous Ammonia, Ammonium Nitrate and Alkali metals such as Lithium and Sodium. 

Methamphetamine is a chiral compound, with two enantiomers dextromethamphetamine and levomethamphetamine, these two molecules being mirror images of each other results in methamphetamine being a chiral compound. Methamphetamine has a molecular weight of 149.23 g/mol. Methamphetamine’s molecular formula is C10H15N. At room temperature, the free base of Methamphetamine is a clear, colourless liquid, with a characteristic odour of Germanium leaves. Methamphetamine has a boiling point of 212 degrees Celsius at the pressure of 70 mmHg and a melting point of 3 degrees Celsius. Methamphetamine is soluble in 0.5 g/ml of water as well as being soluble in ethanol and diethyl ether. Methamphetamine is also miscible with chloroform, as it can be mixed in all proportions. Methamphetamine hydrochloride (salt) is odourless and has a bitter taste. This form of the drug occurs in white crystals or when crushed, as a white crystalline powder. The Methamphetamine hydrochloride salt is sensitive to light and is soluble in both ethanol and water. 

(Figure 2) Methamphetamine Chemical Structure – Retrieved from: http://biotechlearn.org.nz/media/images/news_images/methamphetamine_chemical_structure

Following Methamphetamine’s administration, either by inhalation, injection, snorting or ingestion, the human body is immediately effected in a number of systems through the body, including the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. Because of the high lipophilicity of the drug, it can easily move through the blood brain-barrier a lot faster than many other stimulant drugs. The drug is also more resistant to degradation by the monoamine oxidase. Due to the amount of responses from the nervous system, heart damage is extremely likely after multiple uses of the drug. Although the different methods of administration will result in different types of ‘highs’ over a different time period (see figure 3), they all have a strong effect on how the body – especially the brain – operates. After being inhaled, via the smoking of the drug, the drug can reach and effect the brain very quickly. After the smoke from the drug in inhaled, it directly enters the lungs and then the heart. It enters the heart through the left ventricle and leaves through the aorta into the arterial circulation, after this the drug enters the brain. If Methamphetamine is administered intravenously (injected), it has a near immediate reaction, and is very effective as the majority of the drug reaches the brain, unlike if the drug is administered using other methods. If the Methamphetamine is administered orally and ingested by the body, it takes longer to reach the blood stream and create the desired effect. After being ingested, the Methamphetamine has to pass through the human’s digestive system, where it is then absorbed through the stomach wall, the duodenum and the rest of the small intestine. Many stomach acids such as pepsin can begin to break down the molecular structure of the Methamphetamine, starting to metabolise the drug before it is absorbed into the bloodstream. This leads to the drug having less concentration when it reaches the brain, and having less of an effect.

Although some methods of administration will have less of an effect, no matter what method is used, the drug will enter the bloodstream and have a significant effect on the user’s body. Once the brain receives the signal that the Methamphetamine is in the bloodstream, epinephrine triggers the immediate response. When the epinephrine is released, the heart begins to pump more blood throughout the body, rapidly increasing the user’s heart rate and blood pressure, as well beginning to give the multiple effects the user feel throughout the ‘high’. A common effect that Methamphetamine has on the human cardiovascular system is vasoconstriction, which is the narrowing of blood vessel radii. This vasoconstriction is usually caused by the increased production of adrenaline which stimulates the heart to pump blood at an abnormally fast rate. This abnormally fast heart rate can cause heart attacks due to the large amount of stress put on the heart itself and blood vessels all around the body. The heart attacks are usually due to the constriction of blood vessels to the heart, which puts an enormous amount of strain on the heart. This hyperactivity and abnormal blood flow can also lead to tears in the inner wall of the aorta, these tears have a near hundred percent mortality rate, as they quickly lead to the user’s death. The use of Methamphetamine has an extremely negative effect to the human’s cardiovascular system, in a lot of cases, the use of this drug can result in death.

(Figure 3) Concentration of Methamphetamine in the brain over time depending on the administration of the drug – Retrieved from https://methiscool.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/graph-of-drug-administration1.gif
In a normal human brain, signals are sent and received through neurons. Neurotransmitters are released from one neuron through the presynaptic membrane into the gap between the neurons (the synaptic gap) and then absorbed into the post-synaptic membrane through the chemical receptors. Any neurotransmitter left in the synapse are then reabsorbed by the presynaptic membrane. When Methamphetamine is introduced to the nervous system, the drug completely changes the way signals are sent and received in the brain. Methamphetamine increases the levels catecholamines in the brain, these catecholamines include dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine and norepinephrine. The way the Methamphetamine gives the user such a sought after high, is it stimulates the release of these catecholamines, blocks the catecholamine’s reabsorption into the pre-synaptic neuron and blocks the catecholamine’s metabolism (See Figure 4), which results in the high lasting for up to twelve hours. All of this combines to result in the neurotransmitters flooding the synapse and constantly triggering responses in the post-synaptic neuron.

(Figure 4) Methamphetamine altered dopamine transmission. Showing the two ways that Methamphetamine alters the dopamine transmission – Retrieved from https://www.quia.com/files/quia/users/granitestatecollege/drugeducation/Lesson3/Image15.gif

The four neurotransmitters that are primarily affected are dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine and serotonin. These catecholamines are responsible for a number a feelings and responses. Dopamine is mainly responsible for feelings of emotion, including pleasure and pain, with a greater amount of these chemicals causing great sensations of happiness and pleasure. Dopamine is also responsible for movement and body control, with excessive amounts of dopamine causing uncontrollable and repetitive movements such as twitching, which is a notable symptom in Methamphetamine addicts. Excessive amounts of dopamine can also trigger a number of hallucinations including tactile hallucinations, where people claim to have bugs crawling under their skin. A drop in dopamine levels in the brain can also lead to a sudden ‘crash’ which leaves the user in a depression-like state when they are not using the drug. Epinephrine is commonly known as adrenaline and has the ability to increase the user’s heart rate, resulting in an increased blood pressure. Norepinephrine, which is very similar in molecular makeup to epinephrine, stimulates respiration and has the ability to increase a person’s heart rate and blood pressure. Norepinephrine also controls ones attentiveness, and therefore their ability to learn. Methamphetamine addicts often fail and drop out of their schooling and study due to the fact that they lose their power to control their attentiveness while on the drug. Serotonin also plays a very important role in everyday life, as it is responsible for appetite, mood control, sleep, aggressive behaviour and libido (sex drive). When Methamphetamine reaches the brain, it increases the level of serotonin excreted by neurons. An increase in serotonin allows for the user to be lees hungry, less tired, more aggressive as well as increasing sex drive. These characteristics can often be spotted in Methamphetamine addicts. These feelings can also lead to the user losing a lot of weight and to remain awake for up to days at a time. Many violent and aggressive crimes are also committed by Methamphetamine addicts as they are highly aggressive and can become aggressive for no reason, often lashing out on strangers and innocent members of society. These outburst aren’t rare, as while people are under the influence of Methamphetamine, their relationships with society are often completely destroyed.

Discussion

Methamphetamine use can affect the user’s relationships with society in a number of ways, including through behavioural and financial issues. After only a single dose of the drug, the central nervous system can be severely damaged in a number of areas, including the reward pathway. This can completely change how the user acts from the first administration of the drug and until the end of their life. This damage has the ability to change the user’s behavioural tendencies, and how they react in everyday situations. After multiple uses of the drug, the drug starts to take over the user’s life, as they become more and more addicted to the drug, the more it changes their behaviour and therefore their relationships with society. After more regular usage, the user starts to have strong feelings of anxiety and paranoia. The user also has decreased fatigue and appetite and increased activity levels and talkativeness. Users also have uncontrollable repetitive motor activity, including twitches and tremors, which may leads to issues in society. Methamphetamine users also show extremely high levels of aggressive and violent behaviour which can be triggered by a number of minute actions by members of society. Both young teenagers and grown men addicted to Methamphetamine, may struggle to hold their position in their jobs, which can lead to a loss of income. Because of this, addicts are forced to steal form people of society, including friends and family, to pay for the drugs they can't live without. This can completely destroy their relationships with the aforementioned. While high on Methamphetamine, users be easily provoked and commit very violent and aggressive crimes over small issues, examples of this include people being killed for not completing drug deals and other tiny problems that a non-drug affected person would brush off. 

Adults are not the only members of society that are affected by Methamphetamine users, with children of Methamphetamine ‘cooks’ and users often being neglected and harmed by their parent’s addictions. Hundreds of children are harmed every year due to their carer’s illegal habits, with many children dealt serious brain damage due to the noxious fumes from the toxic waste created in the making of the drug. Many children are also left malnourished, physically and sexually abused by Methamphetamine users and fatally or seriously burned by explosions or fires when Methamphetamine labs explode, leaving them scarred for the rest of their lives. Many children not only are harmed physically, with many children suffering from mental issues such as attachment disorders and behavioural issues due to their upbringing.

Methamphetamine users may also participate in regular unprotected sex with other drug-affected people, which can lead to the transmission of a number of sexually transmitted infections. When the drug is administered intravenously, users may also share dirty and infected needles with others. This can lead to the transmission of a number of serious and often deadly diseases such as hepatitis, HIV and AIDS.

Local hospital and emergency departments are often filled with people that have overdosed on Methamphetamine, or those that have been seriously injured as a result of explosions within Methamphetamine labs. Many of these injuries and overdoses are often hard to treat, very expensive and require the attention of many medical workers. This can lead to other members of society having to wait to receive attention from these medical professionals as they are busy with the Methamphetamine addicts. Many rehabilitation centres are often full of Methamphetamine addicts, and require a lot of time and money to try and rehabilitate these drug users. This treatment is often very expensive and can place a large strain on the budgets of many state’s medical programs around the world, taking away from innocent members of society. 

All of these symptoms and issues can result in the loss of Methamphetamine addict’s interpersonal relationships as well as leaving them socially isolated, which can also result in the user remaining in a depression-like state if not high on the drug. This can often lead to the addicts showing suicidal tendencies, and usually dying young by suicide or overdose. Methamphetamine has a huge impact on the user’s relationships with society, and not only ruins the user’s life, as it often ruins the friends, family and children’s lives, as well as having a negative impact on society. 

Conclusion

This report provides an understanding of the effect on Methamphetamine on the brain, and therefore the user’s relationships with society. Methamphetamine is known to be a highly addictive drug and it also has the ability to make the user dependent on the drug after multiple uses. The drug effects multiple areas of the central nervous system as well as effecting the release and reabsorption of the neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine and serotonin. These catecholamines have the ability to manipulate how the person feels while high on the drug, and also how the user feels while not high on the drug. As the user becomes dependent on the drug, a number of side effects begin to occur, such as an increased heart rate and blood pressure, excessive sweating, teeth grinding and an increase in aggressive and violent behaviour. Long term use of the drug can also lead to a number of problems including extreme weight loss, regular illnesses, depression, anxiety, paranoia, financial and social issues and even death. Methamphetamine use also leads to a number of issues with members of society and can destroy relationships between the user and their family, friends and even their children. Even after one use of the drug, many can become addicted, chasing the euphoria and sense of invincibility they have while on the drug. This is a serious issue in society, as Methamphetamine has an extremely negative outcome on the life of anyone who becomes addicted to the drug and often results in death. 


Public Education Piece

My public education piece is a pamphlet to advise the general public of the information learned during this research assignment.

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