Posted by Xevious on June 6, 2002, at 11:21:22
In reply to Re: dopamine depletion » Shelley, posted by Zo on June 5, 2002, at 22:53:12
You're both correct. Methamphetamine has been shown to be neurotoxic, and permanently damages the brain's ability to generate both dopamine and serotonin. As with most drugs, chronic use dramatically increases the chances of sustaining such damage.It should be noted that methamphetamine and all related amphetamines actually cause dopamine release; it is only through the neurotoxic effects of methamphetamine that an abuser's brain will begin to suffer from reduced levels of dopamine.
Prescription psychostimulants and neuroleptics based on amphetamine have been specifically designed to avoid this effect. IIRC, either Ritalin or Dexedrine was actually developed by the US Military in the search of a "stay-awake/aware" pill that would avoid the nasty neurotoxicity of meth and coccaine. This drug (and now I'm thinking that it was Ritalin, I'll have to check) was used extensively by bombadiers and navigators during WWII to keep them focused, awake and on task during those long flights over Europe. (With my sympathies to anyone here who might have been on the receiving end...)
That's the big, super-important difference between street and prescription drugs - the prescription variety have been designed and tested to be as safe as possible and, ideally, actually are.
-Steven
poster:Xevious
thread:108807
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020602/msgs/108948.html