What Does Meth Do to the Brain?
Methamphetamine continues to be a major concern in the US, regardless of the numerous measures done by the government to curb its manufacture, distribution, and use. Authorities are looking at demand as being the main driver for the massive manufacture and sales and sales of meth. As such, numerous studies have been done on how meth affects the brain, in efforts to find a way to curb the demand for the substance.
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Methamphetamine Statistics
According to data from the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021 there were at least 32,856 methamphetamine overdose-related deaths, which is an increase of more than 33% from the 24,576 methamphetamine overdose-related deaths recorded in 2020.
These figures detailing the staggering number of deaths related to meth overdose are made even worse by the fact that currently, there are no medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that could be used in the treatment of meth use disorder or even for reversing an overdose.
In 2020, methamphetamine and opioids were the most common substances recorded from emergency room overdose cases. This was across all racial and ethnic groups in the US, with meth figuring in at least 52% of all reported drug overdose cases.
What Does Meth Do to the Brain?
There have been many questions as to how meth affects the brain, leading a person to become addicted to it even with only a single exposure to it. The truth of the matter is that meth affects a person so profoundly, even with only a single use, because it does not only affect the brain but the entire central nervous system as well.
A study commissioned by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) shows that the use of methamphetamine triggers the release of a massive amount of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, as well as other neurotransmitters, which all work to produce a potent euphoric effect. Alongside the euphoria, there is also an increase in energy and vitality, which in turn leads to high levels of confidence and good feelings about the self.
These effects are worth noting as a huge number of Americans suffer from depression, fatigue, self-doubt, and low self-esteem. All of these issues are immediately resolved when one takes methamphetamine, which is why this substance is the drug of choice for many people. Many who used meth also admitted that it gave them incredible clarity of thought and focus, allowing them to be more attentive, productive, and generally perform better in whatever activities they might be participating in.
All of these seemingly positive and highly desirable effects, however, do come with serious consequences.
The introduction of a substance that drastically alters how the reward system of the body works is sure to produce problems. The release of the chemicals that produce euphoria and feelings of wellness is tied into several trigger mechanisms that the brain needs to process so that it releases the chemicals when these trigger mechanisms are met. Using meth bypasses these trigger mechanisms, destroying the entire concept of achievement and the feelings that come with it since meth duplicates these feelings in an instant.
Chronic use of meth completely derails the entire rewards process as defined by the brain, since a person could get an instant feeling of the reward just by taking meth, and could also keep on getting this rewarding feeling by continually taking the substance.
The introduction of a substance that drastically alters how the reward system of the body works is sure to produce problems. The release of the chemicals that produce euphoria and feelings of wellness is tied into several trigger mechanisms that the brain needs to process so that it releases the chemicals when these trigger mechanisms are met. Using meth bypasses these trigger mechanisms, destroying the entire concept of achievement and the feelings that come with it since meth duplicates these feelings in an instant.
Chronic use of meth completely derails the entire rewards process as defined by the brain, since a person could get an instant feeling of the reward just by taking meth, and could also keep on getting this rewarding feeling by continually taking the substance.
Anyone who has ever won anything through hard work and effort would know how rewarding the process really is. This sense of achievement is what pushes many to try to do more and become better at what they do. Being introduced to something that removes the work and allows a person to go straight to the sense of achievement, however, is not just taking the easy way out, so to speak, but also removes a person’s inclination to engage in any kind of effort to achieve anything.
Anyone who has ever won anything through hard work and effort would know how rewarding the process really is. This sense of achievement is what pushes many to try to do more and become better at what they do. Being introduced to something that removes the work and allows a person to go straight to the sense of achievement, however, is not just taking the easy way out, so to speak, but also removes a person’s inclination to engage in any kind of effort to achieve anything.
Being hooked on a substance for the feeling it gives is one thing, but being hooked on something because it makes you think you could not do anything without it is something else. There are many people who got hooked on meth from as early as their school days. Being a long-time meth user practically removes any sense the person might have of being able to do anything without it.
Just prior to the eventual brain damage caused by chronic meth use, the substance allows a person to listen better, focus more intently, and think with such clarity that they believe they could do anything. The manufactured confidence also comes with a heavy dependence because meth users know that they will not have any “edge” without the substance.
Being hooked on a substance for the feeling it gives is one thing, but being hooked on something because it makes you think you could not do anything without it is something else. There are many people who got hooked on meth from as early as their school days. Being a long-time meth user practically removes any sense the person might have of being able to do anything without it.
Just prior to the eventual brain damage caused by chronic meth use, the substance allows a person to listen better, focus more intently, and think with such clarity that they believe they could do anything. The manufactured confidence also comes with a heavy dependence because meth users know that they will not have any “edge” without the substance.
Methamphetamine use leads to brain damage. This is a finding that came out of the continued study on the effect of the substance on the central nervous system. Nerves found within the central nervous system are known as neurons, while nerves outside of the central nervous system are simply termed as nerves. Methamphetamine has been found to lead to increased neuron death.
The central nervous system has a limited ability to regenerate neurons, and there are certain conditions that make neuron regeneration practically impossible. One of these conditions is meth use. The brain damage that a meth user eventually gets is the result of neuronal death, degrading the ability of the central nervous system to send and receive signals, and also in many cognitive functions. Brain damage affects many functions of the body:
- Formation of new memories
- Retention of new memories
- Psychomotor functions
- Attentiveness
- Ability to perceive an object in space
- Ability to engage in reasoning
- Problem-solving
Methamphetamine use leads to brain damage. This is a finding that came out of the continued study on the effect of the substance on the central nervous system. Nerves found within the central nervous system are known as neurons, while nerves outside of the central nervous system are simply termed as nerves. Methamphetamine has been found to lead to increased neuron death.
The central nervous system has a limited ability to regenerate neurons, and there are certain conditions that make neuron regeneration practically impossible. One of these conditions is meth use. The brain damage that a meth user eventually gets is the result of neuronal death, degrading the ability of the central nervous system to send and receive signals, and also in many cognitive functions. Brain damage affects many functions of the body:
- Formation of new memories
- Retention of new memories
- Psychomotor functions
- Attentiveness
- Ability to perceive an object in space
- Ability to engage in reasoning
- Problem-solving
What are the Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Meth Use?
Methamphetamine, being a potent central nervous system stimulant, is known to produce continued and different effects as usage progresses into the long-term use. More than simple effects, the manifestations are actually signs of damage already done, as meth continues to cause cellular damage to the central nervous system.
Short-Term Effects
- Increased respiration
- Elevated body temperature
- Convulsions
- Increased chance of stroke
- Feeling wide awake
- Increased energy for physical activity
- Decreased appetite
- Euphoria
- Elevated blood pressure
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Confusion
- Tremors and twitches
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Belligerence
- Hypothermia
- Increased heart rate
- Increased chance of damage to blood vessels in the brain
Continued use of methamphetamine will inevitably cause greater damage, with most of these being irreparable, particularly those that result from continued neurological damage.
Long-Term Effects
- Acute loss of vision
- Corneal ulcers
- Stroke
- Severe convulsions
- Intense paranoia
- Psychotic behavior
- Memory loss
- Aggression
- Breathing problems
- Heart damage
- Cardiovascular collapse
- Severe tooth and gum disease
- Irregular heartbeat
- Drastic weight loss
- Visual and auditory hallucinations
- Tendency to fly into a rage
- Episodes of uncontrollable violence
- Body sores
- Anhedonia
- Severely compromised immune system
- High susceptibility to infections
This is what meth does to the brain, which is why the sooner it is dealt with, the better the chances of the person not suffering from irreparable damage.
What Treatments are Available for Meth Addiction?
The nature of methamphetamine addiction necessitates that there be comprehensive psychotherapy involved in the treatment, as meth use is known to cause significant behavioral changes in the person. Depending upon the duration of the meth addiction, the behavioral changes could be geared towards the attitude that reflects the known side effects of meth use, such as irritability, confusion, or some other short-term effect. Those who have been using meth for far longer could manifest aberrant behavior caused by brain damage, such as severely impaired cognitive function, incoherence, and varying degrees of memory loss.
After a certain period of time, meth use is difficult to hide. As most meth users prefer to administer the substance directly into the bloodstream intravenously, track marks or needle puncture wounds could be prominently seen. Other than the physical signs, behavioral markers will also become prominent as personality changes will become more pronounced as the person dives deeper into meth use. At any point during these manifestations of meth use, an intervention could be the only way to get the person help, as they could be so into meth use that they might not, or could not, ask for help in dealing with it.
The intervention needs to be followed by a medical detox soon after, as getting the substance out of the system of the person could require the help of clinically-trained professionals. There is always the danger of the person having an adverse reaction to stopping the use of the substance, which is why being in a clinical setting such as medical detox is important.
After a certain period of time, meth use is difficult to hide. As most meth users prefer to administer the substance directly into the bloodstream intravenously, track marks or needle puncture wounds could be prominently seen. Other than the physical signs, behavioral markers will also become prominent as personality changes will become more pronounced as the person dives deeper into meth use. At any point during these manifestations of meth use, an intervention could be the only way to get the person help, as they could be so into meth use that they might not, or could not, ask for help in dealing with it.
The intervention needs to be followed by a medical detox soon after, as getting the substance out of the system of the person could require the help of clinically-trained professionals. There is always the danger of the person having an adverse reaction to stopping the use of the substance, which is why being in a clinical setting such as medical detox is important.
Even after the detox phase, many meth users still get the overwhelming urge to use the substance again, which is why being in a facility where it would be difficult, or even impossible, to get to any substance would be a good idea. an inpatient or residential treatment program could also provide the necessary quiet time the patient needs to deal with the massive changes they now feel, as the ability to think clearly starts to come back, and they realize the gravity of their substance abuse disorder.
Being in an inpatient treatment program also works best for people who might develop a complication from years of meth use, or from the sudden stoppage of using it. It is not uncommon for people to get worse before they get better, which is why being in a treatment center where people are used to hospital-like emergencies is a good idea.
Even after the detox phase, many meth users still get the overwhelming urge to use the substance again, which is why being in a facility where it would be difficult, or even impossible, to get to any substance would be a good idea. an inpatient or residential treatment program could also provide the necessary quiet time the patient needs to deal with the massive changes they now feel, as the ability to think clearly starts to come back, and they realize the gravity of their substance abuse disorder.
Being in an inpatient treatment program also works best for people who might develop a complication from years of meth use, or from the sudden stoppage of using it. It is not uncommon for people to get worse before they get better, which is why being in a treatment center where people are used to hospital-like emergencies is a good idea.
Meth use is one of the most difficult dependencies to overcome, and most who have undergone successful rehabilitation are still in danger of a relapse. This is why counseling is a necessary component of recovery. More than just a series of sessions with a therapist, there is also the need for social contact and support, since recovery also necessarily entails reintegrating into the real world after rehabilitation.
Being in the real world, however, comes with the danger of once again being exposed to highly stressful environments that could wear away at a person. Some stressful situations could prove to be too much for anyone, and the quick release found in using substances again could be what they think they need. This is where support comes in, where people who are also in recovery share their stories of having to deal with their own stressful situations. This sharing provides the needed comfort and knowledge that the person is not going through the difficulty alone, and that support is always there.
Meth use is one of the most difficult dependencies to overcome, and most who have undergone successful rehabilitation are still in danger of a relapse. This is why counseling is a necessary component of recovery. More than just a series of sessions with a therapist, there is also the need for social contact and support, since recovery also necessarily entails reintegrating into the real world after rehabilitation.
Being in the real world, however, comes with the danger of once again being exposed to highly stressful environments that could wear away at a person. Some stressful situations could prove to be too much for anyone, and the quick release found in using substances again could be what they think they need. This is where support comes in, where people who are also in recovery share their stories of having to deal with their own stressful situations. This sharing provides the needed comfort and knowledge that the person is not going through the difficulty alone, and that support is always there.
Live Free Brings True Recovery to Those Who Need Help
Not being tied down to a heavy dependency is freedom. This is perhaps one of the truest forms of freedom that anyone could ever have these days. This is one we here at Live Free Recovery are dedicated to helping people understand what recovery is all about, how much work goes into it, and just how better life would be if they choose to work for it.
Living free with no dependency is true recovery, and there could be nothing better for a person than this today. Talk to us now.