Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, crystal, ice, or tweak, is a highly addictive stimulant drug. While it is sometimes prescribed for conditions like ADHD and, in rare cases, weight loss, the vast majority of meth used is produced in illegal labs and taken in doses far exceeding those prescribed. This article delves into the dangerous practice of using methamphetamine for weight loss, exploring its effects on the body, potential long-term health consequences, and safer, more sustainable alternatives.
What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is related to amphetamine but has stronger effects. It's a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it's available legally only through a nonrefillable prescription. The drug can be taken in pill form, snorted, injected, or smoked. Smoking crystallized meth is a particularly potent form of the drug.
Methamphetamine abuse is a significant issue in the United States. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, over 2.5 million people aged 12 and older used methamphetamine in 2021.
The Allure of Methamphetamine for Weight Loss
Methamphetamine appeals to individuals seeking a high, as well as those looking for a quick way to lose weight or gain energy. The drug causes an immediate "rush" of increased activity and suppresses appetite. This is why some individuals, particularly women, may be tempted to use meth for weight loss. Women use meth at rates about equal to men, unlike many other illegal drugs, which are mainly used by men.
How Methamphetamine Leads to Weight Loss
Methamphetamine coaxes the body to work harder, increasing heart rate and speeding up metabolism. Users talk a lot and lose their appetite. Methamphetamine is classified as a stimulant drug known to increase energy levels significantly. Therefore, when people binge meth or overuse it, it may lead to days without quality eating and long-term appetite suppression. In addition to appetite suppression, meth contributes to weight loss through its long-term impact on the body’s metabolism and ability to store fat. When the mouth is damaged, chewing, swallowing, and digesting food can be uncomfortable.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
The Dark Side: Health Risks of Methamphetamine Use
While methamphetamine may initially seem like a solution for weight loss, the long-term consequences are devastating. Chronic meth abusers can suffer long-term health effects.
Cardiovascular Problems
Methamphetamine use increases heart rate, blood pressure, and risk of stroke. The increase in heart rate can lead to heart rhythm problems as well as heart attacks, even in the very young. The drug drives the heart to exhaustion.
Neurological Damage
The drug can damage areas of the brain that control muscle movement, verbal learning, emotions, and memory. Methamphetamine affects your brain. Methamphetamine causes changes in the brain circuits that control reward, stress, decision-making, and impulse control, making it more and more difficult to stop using even when it is having negative effects on your life and health.
Mental Health Issues
Additional effects of using methamphetamine can include anxiety and depression, chronic fatigue, paranoid or delusional thinking, and serious psychological issues. Methamphetamine use can also cause aggression, violent behavior, and loss of contact with reality.
Dental Problems
Methamphetamine use dries out the salivary glands. Regular use causes blood vessels in the body, including those in the mouth, to shrink. The teeth and gums need a steady supply of blood and oxygen to stay healthy. Methamphetamine is made with hydrochloric acid, a highly corrosive substance. The prevalence of severe dental damage among methamphetamine users is high.
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
Malnutrition and Weight Loss Dangers
Chronic meth use often leads to malnutrition due to suppressed appetite and poor eating habits. The body needs a certain amount of fat to be healthy. Subcutaneous fat protects the body and bones from injury. The dangers are even more pernicious than that implies. Usually, the body depends on nourishment, such as food and water, for energy. Typically fat is used first, then muscle and protein follow. Those who are high on meth may feel extra hyperactive. They may also feel overheated and sweat profusely, leading to more weight loss. Not sleeping and constantly moving around doesn’t give the body the chance to rest.
Addiction and Withdrawal
Addiction is closely tied to how quickly a user feels a drug's effect. Most meth users either smoke or inject it. Both methods rapidly bring on a high (a feeling of euphoria). This euphoria is followed by up to 12 hours of what feels to the user like endless energy. Frequent use also can lead to tolerance and withdrawal, so you need more of the drug to feel normal. When meth starts to wear off, abusers face two choices. They can suffer through what can be a 3-day bottoming-out period that may include feeling grouchy, lacking energy, and having headaches. Or they can take another dose to ease their suffering, but they then risk addiction.
Immune System Impairment
The bodies of people who use methamphetamine regularly are less able to defend themselves from disease. The effects can be even more severe, as there is an increased risk of heart disease and other serious issues. One study from 2002 looked at two groups of mice, one infected with a retrovirus and one not infected. For example, the growth of tumors was greatly accelerated once methamphetamine was supplied. The study found that after the first injection of methamphetamine, subjects’ levels of leukocyte production dropped. In other words, the effects were immediate.
Impact on Pregnancy
Meth use by women of childbearing age is of special concern. Children exposed to meth during pregnancy can have problems with brain development. These problems can cause attention deficits and behavioral problems as the children grow. Knowing that a child has been exposed to meth is critical. This can help prevent the emotional and behavioral problems from getting worse.
The Illusion of Control
People who use meth may not think beyond the present moment during the high they get from using it. People hear the myths that the drug does good things and lasts 12 hours a dose. They feel they can work longer hours, study more, and lose weight. But the issue, of course, is that methamphetamine is highly addictive, and nobody can predict how their body will react to it.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation
Safer Alternatives for Weight Loss
There are many safe and healthy ways to lose weight without resorting to dangerous drugs like methamphetamine. These include:
- Balanced Diet: Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains.
- Regular Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity to burn calories and improve overall health. Physical exercise can also better someone’s mood and lift spirits.
- Professional Guidance: Consulting with a doctor or registered dietitian for personalized weight loss advice.
Treatment and Recovery
Breaking free from methamphetamine addiction is challenging but possible. The most effective treatments for methamphetamine use are behavioral therapies. Some people also benefit from peer recovery support programs including Narcotics Anonymous. Although medications have proven effective in treating some substance use disorders, there are currently no medications that counteract the effects of methamphetamine or that help people be abstinent longer or that can help reduce the use of methamphetamine by an individual living with a methamphetamine use disorder.
Signs of Methamphetamine Use
It is not easy to tell if someone is using methamphetamine, but symptoms may include:
- Inability to sleep or unusual sleep patterns
- Psychotic behaviors such as paranoia and hallucinations
- Mood swings or increased aggression
- Nervous obsessive activities, such as scratching
- Irritability, anxiety, or confusion
- Extreme weight loss
- Changes in physical appearance, including deteriorating skin and teeth