Drug epidemics are not new to the United States. The abuse of patent medicines around the turn of the 20th century is estimated to have affected more than a million Americans when it was at its peak. When it was discovered that the primary “curative agents” in these snake-oil-type medications were highly addictive chemicals, such [...]

The most logical step to begin addressing the “methapandemic” is prevention. It really makes no sense trying to address a problem until we figure out a way to keep the problem from escalating in the first place. Prevention means to intervene, to keep those who have never tried meth from even trying it once. It [...]

The Symptomatic Patterns The clinical symptoms of methamphetamine use are primarily sympathomimetic in nature and are well documented in the literature on humans and animals. At low doses, methamphetamine causes generally positive effects, such as increased alertness, energy, euphoria, elevated self-confidence, persistent activity and work, increased talkativeness, increased sexual pleasure and [...]

Terms used by mental health experts have diverse meanings and one should not assume that one understands the meaning of expert testimony unless those terms are defined explicitly. The expert should employ the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV, American Psychiatric Association, 1994) classification system to differentiate among methamphetamine intoxication, abuse, dependence, and withdrawal [...]

Cerebral Injury and Death from Methamphetamine Use The cerebral damage caused by methamphetamine intoxication can be formidable. Prolonged use is associated with injury to the dopamine system. Essentially, continued methamphetamine use likely leads to axonic degeneration of the dopamine axon terminals in the striatum, frontal [...]

Contents Myths about MDMA UseNeurotoxic Properties of MDMA in Nonhuman AnimalsNeurotoxic Properties of MDMA in HumansConclusions(±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy,” E, Adam, X, XTC) is a methamphetamine analogue. It has hallucinogenic, psychostimulant, and multiple behavior-altering activities. Although it was discovered serendipitously in 1912 by Merck Pharmaceuticals, its use as a psychotherapeutic/recreational drug was unknown until the late [...]

Before discussing the known and suspected effects of MDMA it is important to dispel the myths about its use: 1. MDMA drains your spinal fluid. 2. MDMA causes Parkinson’s disease (PD). 3. MDMA is an aphrodisiac. 4 MDMA is a “date rape drug.” First, no known pharmacological agent drains spinal fluid. Second, MPTP is the [...]

The evidence for a neurotoxic effect of MDMA in humans has been much more controversial than for methamphetamine. Ethical and methodological problems have made evaluation of the effects of MDMA on humans difficult. These difficulties include the inability of researchers to be sure what drug was taken, and how much of it was taken, by [...]

Methamphetamine can either exist as a “left-handed” molecule named l-methamphetamine or a “right-handed” molecule called d-methamphetamine. The left and right meth molecules are mirror images of one another. Mirror [...]

The temporary physical and psychological effects from meth can turn into long-term, permanent effects that last a lifetime. For instance, meth dramatically affects a person’s decision-making abilities. The temporary effect of increased libido leads meth users to [...]