Methamphetamine physiological effects

Because they both seem to function as uppers, some people think that cocaine and methamphetamine are essentially the same drug. While it is true that they both have similar mental and physiological effects, the two drugs do act quite differently. In contrast to cocaine, which is rapidly broken down in the body, methamphetamine tends to accumulate in both the body and brain, thereby leading to longer effects and more potential to cause long-term brain damage. Also, cocaine is derived from a natural substance, the coca plant, while methamphetamine is a totally synthetic chemical. 

Two neurochemicals that are vitally important for the proper functioning of the CNS are dopamine and serotonin. By alternating the levels of both dopamine and serotonin in the CNS, methamphetamine is able to cause a wide range of physiological effects. 

Amphetamine, methamphetamine and ephedrine all have similar structures and each has two enantiomers. Amphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant and an anorexic. Methamphetamine is also an anorexic and is frequently used for treating attention disorders with hyperactivity. Ephedrine, on the other hand, although of similar structure has quite different physiological effects. Ephedrine (1) is a commonly used as a bronchodilator whereas (d) ephedrine (pseudoephedrine) is used as a decongestant. The separation of the six isomers of amphetamine, methamphetamine and ephedrine is shown in figure 6.17. 

Basic drugs elicit a variety of physiological effects. Stimulants such as methamphetamine can act as haUudnogens at higher doses, while the opiate alkaloids are analgesic and promote general depression of the central nervous system. Many natural products, such as cocoa leaves, peyote, and khat leaves, have been used for hundreds of years. Some— for example, LSD and mescaline— are associated with religious explorations or celebrations. 

Natural products of the general formula PhCH(OH)CH(NHMe)CH3 are isolated from Ephedra species and are called ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. They have various physiological effects, including uses as decongestants and appetite suppressants. Draw all four of the possible stereoisomers as Fischer projections, and assign the stereochemistry at each chiral center. Why do ephedrine and pseudoephedrine have different physiological effects Do the natural and unnatural isomers have different effects What is the relationship of these molecules to methamphetamine ... 

Martin WR, Sloan JW, Sapira JD, et al Physiologic, subjective, and behavioral effects of amphetamine, methamphetamine, ephedrine, phenmetrazine, and methylphenidate in man. Clin Pharmacol Ther 12 245-258, 1971 McCormick TC Jr, McNeil TW Acute psychosis and Ritalin abuse. Tex State J Med... 

Antidepressant Some animal models show antidepressant effects of lobelia extract (Subarnas et al. 1992). Similar to imipramine and mianserin, beta-amyrin palmitate shows antidepressant-like effects in the forced-swimming test (Subarnas et al. 1993a). Whereas mianserin and beta-amyrin palmitate reduce locomotor activity induced by methamphetamine, imipramine increases it. It potentiates sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep more potently than imipramine, but less than mianserin. Collectively, the effects of beta-amyrin palmitate in behavioral and physiological assays suggests it may work in a manner more similar to mianserin than imipramine. However, the mechanism of antidepressant-like effects of lobelia is uncertain. It may be through the beta-amyrin palmitate s ability to release norepinephrine (Subarnas et al. 1993b). An antidepressant effect of lobelia has not been established in humans. 

Arakawa, O. (1994). Effects of methamphetamine and methylphenidate on single and paired rat open-field behaviors. Physiology Behavior, 55, 441—446. 

Because of the known physiological activities of adrenaline and mescaline, chemists have synthesized compounds with similar structures. One such compound is amphetamine, a central nervous system stimulant. Amphetamine and a close relative, methamphetamine, are used clinically as appetite suppressants. Methamphetamine is the street dmg known as speed because of its rapid and intense psychological effects. Two other synthetic substituted benzenes, BHA and BHT, are preservatives (see Section 9.8) found in a wide variety of packaged foods. These compounds represent just a few of the many substituted benzenes that have been synthesized for commercial use by the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. 

Foltin RW. Acute physiological and behavioral effects of intranasal methamphetamine in humans. Neuropsychopharmacology 2008 33 1847-55. 

A large number of physiologically active compounds are derived from 2-phenylethylamine, CSH5CH2CH2NH2. Some of these compounds are synthesized in cells and needed to maintain healthy mental function. Others are isolated from plant sources or are synthesized in the laboratory and have a profound effect on the brain because they interfere with normal neurochemistry. These compounds include adrenaline, noradrenaline, methamphetamine, and mescaline. Each contains a benzene ring bonded to a two-carbon unit with a nitrogen atom (shown in red). 

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