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
Light: 5-15 mg
Common: 10-30 mg
Strong: 20-60 mg
Heavy: 40-150+ mg
Insufflated
Light: 5-15 mg
Common: 10-40 mg
Strong: 30-60 mg
Heavy: 50mg+
Smoked
Light: 5-10 mg
Common: 10-20 mg
Strong 30-60 mg
Heavy: 50mg+
Intravenous (IV)
Light: 5-10 mg
Common: 10-40 mg
Strong 30-60mg
Heavy: 50-100mg
Duration
Oral
Onset: 20-70 minutes
Total: 3-5 hours
Insufflated
Onset: 5-10 minutes
Total: 2-4 hours
Smoked
Onset: 0-2 minutes
Total: 1-3 hours
Intravenous (IV)
Onset: 0-2 minutes
Total: 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