'''Methamphetamine''' (also called '''meth''', '''crank''', '''speed''' or '''ice''') is a highly addictive drug, known for its potent stimulant effects on the nervous system. It is frequently confused with drugs that produce similar effects, including [[amphetamine]], methylphenidate, ephedrine, and [[caffeine]], among others, both legal and illegal. ''Crystal meth'' and ''ice'' refer to the smokable, free base form which has a [[crystal]]-like structure.

==Chemical Name==
The chemical name of methamphetamine is ''N-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-2-amine'' or ''d-N,alpha-dimethylphenethylamine ''.

==Legality==
Methamphetamine is illegal in most countries. In the United States, methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),<ref>[http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs11/18862/meth.htm 2006 National Drug Threat Assessment of Meth]</ref> available by prescription under the brand name ''Desoxyn''. The drug is approved to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and for weight loss. In 2005, Congress passed a law restricting the sale of the over-the-counter decongestant ephedrine and pseudoephedrine which were frequently used to synthesize methamphetamine. Purchase of restricted to limited quantities and recorded in a pharmacy ledger; people have been arrested for exceeding the limits, purchasing pseudoephedrine medications at multiple pharmacies.<ref>[http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=5477392&nav=menu132_5 New law could mean bad news for allergy sufferers]</ref>

==Effects==
Chemically, methamphetamine is very similar to amphetamine but more potent. It may be swallowed, snorted, smoked or injected. Inhaled or injected, onset is rapid, and the effects generally last 4–8 hours. Users of this drug typically experience euphoria, excitement, anorexia, and may become nervous or even psychotic. Sweating, dizziness, insomnia, and restlessness may also occur. In smaller clinical doses, it improves attention, and reduces hyperactivity and impulsiveness in persons with [[Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder]] (ADHD), while anorexia is used for weight loss and wakefulness is beneficial in narcolepsy. The drug is rarely prescribed due to its abuse potential and neurotoxicity.

==Addiction==
Methamphetamine has a high abuse potential and is very addictive, particularly when it is injected or smoked. Some users prefer it to cocaine because of the longer half-life. Withdrawal can produce profound depression and fatigue; relapse is common. Doctors sometimes prescribe slow acting amphetamine or methylphenidate during withdraw or as maintenance to reduce incidence of relapse.

==Homosexuality==
''Main article: [[Homosexuality and Illegal Drug Use]]''

Methamphetamine use has become very common in the [[homosexual]] community, demonstrating the destructive effects of the gay lifestyle.<ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE4DC1530F931A25752C0A9629C8B63&sec=health</ref> The ''Los Angeles Times'' reported in 2007 that the frequency of methamphetamine use is twenty times greater among homosexuals than in the general population.<ref>[http://www.narth.com/docs/methuse.html ''More Gay Men Using Meth, Study Finds,''] by R. Rosenblatt, Los Angeles Times, April 11, p. B6.</ref> Its use promotes more frequent and indiscriminate sexual behaviors increasing the spread of HIV. With the increased abuse of methamphetamine among the general public,<ref>[http://www.stopdrugs.org/meth1.html Methamphetamine and amphetamine use is on the rise], StopDrugs.org</ref> the proportion of methamphetamine users among homosexuals has also surely increased. In fact, gay and lesbian high school students in Washington, DC are ten times more likely to have used methamphetamine than their peers,<ref>[http://current.com/items/88887150/homosexual_high_schoolers_in_dc_10_times_more_likely_to_have_used_meth.htm Current.com] Gay DC highschoolers use meth</ref> indicating that the dramatic levels of abuse among homosexuals starts early. It also suggests that methamphetamine abuse may lead persons to homosexuality, an overlooked grave danger.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Drugs]]
[[Category:Illegal Drugs]]
[[Category:Homosexuality]]

Methamphetamine

2017-02-11T14:33:46Z

DayDreamBeliever: add missing "and"

'''Methamphetamine''' (also called '''meth''', '''crank''', '''speed''' or '''ice''') is a highly addictive drug, known for its potent stimulant effects on the nervous system. It is frequently confused with drugs that produce similar effects, including [[amphetamine]], methylphenidate, ephedrine, and [[caffeine]], among others, both legal and illegal. ''Crystal meth'' and "ice" refer to the smokable, free base form which has a [[crystal]]-like structure.

==Chemical Name==
The chemical name of methamphetamine is ''N-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-2-amine'' or ''d-N,alpha-dimethylphenethylamine ''.

==Legality==
Methamphetamine is illegal in most countries. In the United States, methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),<ref>[http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs11/18862/meth.htm 2006 National Drug Threat Assessment of Meth]</ref> available by prescription under the brand name ''Desoxyn''. The drug is approved to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and for weight loss. In 2005, Congress passed a law restricting the sale of the over-the-counter decongestant ephedrine and pseudoephedrine which were frequently used to synthesize methamphetamine. Purchase of restricted to limited quantities and recorded in a pharmacy ledger; people have been arrested for exceeding the limits, purchasing pseudoephedrine medications at multiple pharmacies.<ref>[http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=5477392&nav=menu132_5 New law could mean bad news for allergy sufferers]</ref>

==Effects==
Chemically, methamphetamine is very similar to amphetamine but more potent. It may be swallowed, snorted, smoked or injected. Inhaled or injected, onset is rapid, and the effects generally last 4–8 hours. Users of this drug typically experience euphoria, excitement, anorexia, and may become nervous or even psychotic. Sweating, dizziness, insomnia, and restlessness may also occur. In smaller clinical doses, it improves attention, and reduces hyperactivity and impulsiveness in persons with [[Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder]] (ADHD), while anorexia is used for weight loss and wakefulness is beneficial in narcolepsy. The drug is rarely prescribed due to its abuse potential and neurotoxicity.

==Addiction==
Methamphetamine has a high abuse potential and is very addictive, particularly when it is injected or smoked. Some users prefer it to cocaine because of the longer half-life. Withdrawal can produce profound depression and fatigue; relapse is common. Doctors sometimes prescribe slow acting amphetamine or methylphenidate during withdraw or as maintenance to reduce incidence of relapse.

==Homosexuality==
''Main article: [[Homosexuality and Illegal Drug Use]]''

Methamphetamine use has become very common in the [[homosexual]] community, demonstrating the destructive effects of the gay lifestyle.<ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE4DC1530F931A25752C0A9629C8B63&sec=health</ref> The ''Los Angeles Times'' reported in 2007 that the frequency of methamphetamine use is twenty times greater among homosexuals than in the general population.<ref>[http://www.narth.com/docs/methuse.html ''More Gay Men Using Meth, Study Finds,''] by R. Rosenblatt, Los Angeles Times, April 11, p. B6.</ref> Its use promotes more frequent and indiscriminate sexual behaviors increasing the spread of HIV. With the increased abuse of methamphetamine among the general public,<ref>[http://www.stopdrugs.org/meth1.html Methamphetamine and amphetamine use is on the rise], StopDrugs.org</ref> the proportion of methamphetamine users among homosexuals has also surely increased. In fact, gay and lesbian high school students in Washington, DC are ten times more likely to have used methamphetamine than their peers,<ref>[http://current.com/items/88887150/homosexual_high_schoolers_in_dc_10_times_more_likely_to_have_used_meth.htm Current.com] Gay DC highschoolers use meth</ref> indicating that the dramatic levels of abuse among homosexuals starts early. It also suggests that methamphetamine abuse may lead persons to homosexuality, an overlooked grave danger.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Drugs]]
[[Category:Illegal Drugs]]
[[Category:Homosexuality]]

Methamphetamine

2017-02-11T14:32:31Z

DayDreamBeliever: comprehensive copyedit and rewrite

'''Methamphetamine''' (also called '''meth''', '''crank''', '''speed''' or '''ice''') is a highly addictive drug, known for its potent stimulant effects on the nervous system. It is frequently confused with drugs that produce similar effects, including [[amphetamine]], methylphenidate, ephedrine, [[caffeine]], among others, both legal and illegal. ''Crystal meth'' and "ice" refer to the smokable, free base form which has a [[crystal]]-like structure.

==Chemical Name==
The chemical name of methamphetamine is ''N-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-2-amine'' or ''d-N,alpha-dimethylphenethylamine ''.

==Legality==
Methamphetamine is illegal in most countries. In the United States, methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),<ref>[http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs11/18862/meth.htm 2006 National Drug Threat Assessment of Meth]</ref> available by prescription under the brand name ''Desoxyn''. The drug is approved to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and for weight loss. In 2005, Congress passed a law restricting the sale of the over-the-counter decongestant ephedrine and pseudoephedrine which were frequently used to synthesize methamphetamine. Purchase of restricted to limited quantities and recorded in a pharmacy ledger; people have been arrested for exceeding the limits, purchasing pseudoephedrine medications at multiple pharmacies.<ref>[http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=5477392&nav=menu132_5 New law could mean bad news for allergy sufferers]</ref>

==Effects==
Chemically, methamphetamine is very similar to amphetamine but more potent. It may be swallowed, snorted, smoked or injected. Inhaled or injected, onset is rapid, and the effects generally last 4–8 hours. Users of this drug typically experience euphoria, excitement, anorexia, and may become nervous or even psychotic. Sweating, dizziness, insomnia, and restlessness may also occur. In smaller clinical doses, it improves attention, and reduces hyperactivity and impulsiveness in persons with [[Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder]] (ADHD), while anorexia is used for weight loss and wakefulness is beneficial in narcolepsy. The drug is rarely prescribed due to its abuse potential and neurotoxicity.

==Addiction==
Methamphetamine has a high abuse potential and is very addictive, particularly when it is injected or smoked. Some users prefer it to cocaine because of the longer half-life. Withdrawal can produce profound depression and fatigue; relapse is common. Doctors sometimes prescribe slow acting amphetamine or methylphenidate during withdraw or as maintenance to reduce incidence of relapse.

==Homosexuality==
''Main article: [[Homosexuality and Illegal Drug Use]]''

Methamphetamine use has become very common in the [[homosexual]] community, demonstrating the destructive effects of the gay lifestyle.<ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE4DC1530F931A25752C0A9629C8B63&sec=health</ref> The ''Los Angeles Times'' reported in 2007 that the frequency of methamphetamine use is twenty times greater among homosexuals than in the general population.<ref>[http://www.narth.com/docs/methuse.html ''More Gay Men Using Meth, Study Finds,''] by R. Rosenblatt, Los Angeles Times, April 11, p. B6.</ref> Its use promotes more frequent and indiscriminate sexual behaviors increasing the spread of HIV. With the increased abuse of methamphetamine among the general public,<ref>[http://www.stopdrugs.org/meth1.html Methamphetamine and amphetamine use is on the rise], StopDrugs.org</ref> the proportion of methamphetamine users among homosexuals has also surely increased. In fact, gay and lesbian high school students in Washington, DC are ten times more likely to have used methamphetamine than their peers,<ref>[http://current.com/items/88887150/homosexual_high_schoolers_in_dc_10_times_more_likely_to_have_used_meth.htm Current.com] Gay DC highschoolers use meth</ref> indicating that the dramatic levels of abuse among homosexuals starts early. It also suggests that methamphetamine abuse may lead persons to homosexuality, an overlooked grave danger.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Drugs]]
[[Category:Illegal Drugs]]
[[Category:Homosexuality]]