Methamphetamine (C10H15N), also known as meth or crystal meth, is a
colourless liquid at room temperature. It is more commonly encountered as the
hydrochloride salt (C10H15N.HCl), which is a white solid under standard
conditions. It is a central nervous system stimulant, and is used as a
recreational drug.
Methamphetamine acts as an agonist at trace
amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1), resulting in the release of cyclic
adenosine monophosphate. This causes dopamine and noradrenaline transporters to
reverse the movement of dopamine and noradrenaline through them; instead of
taking them up from the synapse, it releases them from the cell. Furthermore,
it inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO), which normally breaks down dopamine and
noradrenaline.
The resultant increase in dopamine and
noradrenaline in the synapse causes the corresponding receptors on the
postsynaptic membrane to be stimulated to a greater extent, resulting in
feelings of euphoria, increased alertness, and a raised heart rate.
Methamphetamine, however, has a high risk of
addiction. The high levels of dopamine and noradrenaline can result in
tolerance by the body as the postsynaptic neuron reduces the number of
receptors to modulate the stimulus. A protein called ΔFosB is also produced in
the neurons, resulting in the increased transcription of certain genes,
producing addictive behaviour.
As ΔFosB is degraded much more slowly than
related proteins, it accumulates upon regular consumption of methamphetamine,
resulting in increasing levels of addiction.
Methamphetamine also produces a range of side
effects such as loss of appetite, dry skin, acne, insomnia, irregular
heartbeat, psychosis, scratching of the skin, as well as loss of teeth. An
overdose can also result in tremors, hyperthermia, cerebral haemorrhaging,
kidney failure, circulatory collapse, coma, and death. (Below: before/after
methamphetamine consumption)
It has been used as a treatment for
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity, albeit rarely due to its
significant drawbacks compared to other existing treatments for these
conditions. One of its isomers, levomethamphetamine (below left), is also used
in nasal decongestant sprays as it results in vasoconstriction. Unlike its
optical isomer, dextromethamphetamine (below right), it does not result in
addiction and dependence.
Methamphetamine can be easily synthesised from
the condensation of phenylacetone with methylamine, followed by reductive
amination:
Note: This post is intended to examine the compound from a chemical/medical
point of view for educational purposes, and does not endorse drug abuse in any
way.
🔥 There is beauty in destruction🔥 