Download Meth: Meth consists of constituent molecules that are, in nature, toxic

Meth:
Meth consists of constituent molecules that are, in nature, toxic, corrosive, and
highly flammable. Although the constituent molecules differ from recipe to recipe, meth
commonly consists of acetone, lithium, hydrochloric acid, toluene, pseuedoephedrine,
sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, and anhydrous ammonia. It is important to note that each
of these molecules individually are detrimental to the homeostatic mechanisms—the
biological functionings—of the respiratory, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. However,
when combined together, the affects of these molecules multiply. Stimulating the secretion
of chemicals upon consumption, meth is responsible for the subsequent results that occur
as a result of increased molecule secretion.
Beginning with its entrance into the body via snorting, smoking, ingesting or
injecting, meth immediately enters the blood stream, disrupting the usual function of the
cardiovascular system. Biologically, blood vessels—arteries, veins, and capillaries—are
pivotal to blood transport throughout the body (veins and arteries) and gas exchange
(capillaries). When meth enters the blood stream, arteries immediately conduct the
stimulant to organs and tissues in the body. Neurogenically, meth increases the heart rate
by affecting the pons and medulla oblongata in the central nervous system (see Gavy). As a
result, a greater volume of blood is pumped into the arteries, increasing the pressure
within the arteries, resulting in vasoconstriction—narrowing of blood vessel radius. This,
then, reduces blood flow, increases blood pressure, and increases blood clotting.
Consequently, heart inflammation, seizures, abnormally long, painful headaches, irregular
heartbeats, and brain bleeding occur. Taken further, vasoconstriction reduces the amount
of oxygen supplied to the heart. The poor supply of oxygen to the heart, medically coined
myocardial ischaemia, results in death of the heart muscle and/or an increase in size of the
heart muscle, coined cardiomyopathy.
Additionally, the constriction of blood vessels can lead to pulmonary edema—
excessive fluid in the lungs—leading to chronic lung disease. According to the American
College of Physicians, patients with pulmonary edema and idiopathic pulmonary arterial
hypertension (PAH) significantly more likely to have used stimulants, such as meth, than
patients with other forms of pulmonary hyperextension.
Make no mistake, meth is not confined within the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and
nervous systems; it directly affects every system in the body. Because the blood vessels
provide blood to tissues and organs in the body, meth has a direct affect on every system.
Biologically, in the excretory system, blood flows through the kidneys from the renal
arteries, and is filtered to extract waste material. When the blood transport system
decreases in efficiency due to vasoconstriction, the filtering process of the kidneys
decrease, ceasing the natural filtering process and ultimately leading to kidney failure,
inflammation, and/or viral infection. More importantly, however, the kidneys produce less
urine with less blood flow, recycling toxic waste back into the bloodstream. This, then,
deposits unsecreted waste in the bladder, ultimately resulting in bladder infections.
According to the Drug Rehab Center Network, “a high percentage of people that die from
methamphetamine overdoses have symptoms of shock, coma, inability to pass urine, and
muscle twitching.”
Sources:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/86587-effects-methamphetamine-arteriesblood/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/anti-drug-media-campaign
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070625193422.htm
http://www.ndlerf.gov.au/pub/Cardiac%20probs%20and%20amphet.pdf
http://www.westword.com/2003-09-04/news/72-hour-party-people/full
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/209730.pdf
http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/130/6/1657.full.pdf
http://www.jimmunol.org/content/185/5/2867.full
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/101323.php
http://www.smokemeth.com/images/dangers-of-meth-large.gif