Methamphetamine

General Information

Methamphetamine is a strong physical and mental stimulant available in both prescription and street forms. It is relatively easy to synthesize which has contributed to its widespread use.

History

Amphetamine, discovered before methamphetamine, was first synthesized in 1887 in Germany by Romanian chemist Lazăr Edeleanu who named it phenylisopropylamine. Shortly after, methamphetamine was synthesized from ephedrine in 1893 by Japanesechemist Nagai Nagayoshi. Three decades later, in 1919, methamphetamine hydrochloride was synthesized by pharmacologist Akira Ogata via reduction of ephedrine using red phosphorus and iodine. During World War II, methamphetamine was used extensively by the Axis forces for its stimulant effects. Obetrol, patented by Obetrol Pharmaceuticals in the 1950s and indicated for treatment of obesity, was one of the first brands of pharmaceutical methamphetamine products. Due to the psychological and stimulant effects of methamphetamine, Obetrol became a popular diet pill in America in the 1950s and 1960s. Eventually, as the addictive properties of the drug became known, governments began to strictly regulate the production and distribution of methamphetamine. For example, during the early 1970s in the United States, methamphetamine became a schedule II controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Currently, methamphetamine is sold under the trade name Desoxyn, trademarked by the Danish pharmaceutical company Lundbeck. As of January 2013, the Desoxyn trademark had been sold to Italian pharmaceutical company Recordati.

Dosage

Oral

Oral: Light 5-15mg

Common 10-30mg

Strong 20-60mg

Heavy 40-150mg

Insufflated

Light 5-15mg

Common 10-40mg

Strong: 30-60mg

Heavy: 50mg+

Smoked

Light 5-10mg

Common: 10-20mg

Strong 30-60mg

Heavy: 50mg+

Intravenous (IV)

Light: 5-10mg

Common: 10-40mg

Strong 30-60mg

Heavy: 50-100mg

Duration

Oral

Onset: 20-70 minutes

Total duration: 3-5 hours

Insufflated

Onset: 5-10 minutes

Total duration: 2-4 hours

Smoked

Onset: 0-2 minutes

Total duration: 1-3 hours

Intravenous (IV)

Onset: 0-2 minutes

Total duration: 4-8 hours

Effects

Positive

• Increased energy, alertness

• Sleep suppression

• Increased sociability

• Mood elevation

• Increased libido

Neutral

• Excessive talking

• Decreased appetite

• Sweating

• Dilated pupils

Negative

• Weight loss

• Disturbed sleep patterns, Insomnia

• Bruxia

• Drying of oral mucosa

• Loss of appetite

• Visual and auditory hallucinations

• Itchiness

• Aggressiveness

• Moodiness, Irritability, Anxiety

• Increased heart rate, Irregular heart rhythm

• Excessive sweating, Dehydration

• Fatal kidney disorder

• Possible brain damage

• Liver damage

Links

http://science.howstuffworks.com/meth3.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methamphetamine