Methamphetamine Effects on the Brain

In order for neurons to communicate in the brain, they must use chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters. There are many neurotransmitters in the brain, but the main one affected by the use of Crystal Meth is called dopamine. Dopamine is known as the pleasure neurotransmitter because it is the one that creates good feelings like roller coaster rides or eating a delicious piece of chocolate cake. When something good happens a lot of Dopamine is released and sent to the pleasure center in the brain, which creates the “good feelings”. It is then normally recycled and store for later use. Methamphetamine use interrupts that cycle and causes many problems for people that are addicted.
Methamphetamine or Crystal Meth fools the neuron in the brain to release a lot of dopamine causing the user to feel pleasurable feelings that may last all day. Eventually the pleasurable feeling stops and the user “crashes” or comes down off their high, often times leading to more drug use. If a person continues to use Meth, they will eventually find it difficult to feel pleasure from anything, including the drug.

Methamphetamine actually changes the functioning of the neurons in the brain. It also affects other neurotransmitters called serotonin and norepinephrine. Studies have shown that even three years of no use, long time Meth users still show the dopamine neurons damaged. The same applies to the neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinephrine. Scientists don’t know yet if the damage is permanent, but studies show that the damage is lasting for years after discontinued use.
Other than addiction and the problems that come with it, there are many other lasting effects of Methamphetamine use. Some of the side effects caused by changes in the brain are paranoia, hearing and seeing things that don’t exist, hallucinating, aggression, violence, irritability, mood swings, depression, drug induced psychosis, as well as an inability to feel pleasure. It can also cause hyperthermia, tremors, nerve damage, convulsions, and strokes that it can be fatal. It also shows similar patterns of Parkinson’s disease.