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PHYSICAL HEALTH
Psychostimulants are a group of drugs, mostly synthetic, that have the effect of stimulating the central nervous system.
People enjoy using psychostimulants for the following reasons:
- Sense of euphoria and elevated mood
- Sense of wellbeing and connectedness with other people
- Increased confidence and talkativeness
- Increased alertness and concentration
- Reduced fatigue
- Improved physical performance
- Reduced appetite
As well as the desired effects of psychostimulants, there are some negative health effects. These include:
- increased heart rate, breathing rate and temperature
- shortness of breath
- increased brain and nervous system stimulation which may lead to agitation, panic attacks, nervousness, paranoia, aggression and hallucinations
- jaw clenching
- nausea and vomiting
- dizziness and headaches
- irregular heart beat, palpitations and chest pain
- abdominal cramps
- tremors and shakes
- hot and cold flushes
- sweating
- dilated pupils
- tiredness or sleeplessness
- itching, scratching or picking of skin
- drug cravings
The number of Australians using psychostimulants is increasing. Most people won't experience significant adverse effects from their drug use. However, the increase in availability and the use of more potent forms of methamphetamine such as crystal meth or ice means that regular heavy users are probably at risk of developing problems more quickly.
Acute psychostimulant toxicity or poisoning
Taking psychostimulants in very high amounts is potentially lethal. It can cause acute psychostimulant toxicity, which can lead to serious physical complications including:
- seizures (fits)
- severe muscle spasms
- cardiac arrest (heart attack)
- strokes
- life-threatening temperature increases
- organ failure (from very high body temperature)
It is important to be aware that acute toxicity from using stimulants is not related to how you take it, or how much, how frequently, or how long you have used.
Overheating and dehydration
If you are using ecstasy or MDMA, you can avoid overheating and dehydration by:
- drinking water or fruit juice: 500 ml/hour if active, 250 ml/hour if inactive
- not drinking alcohol, as it can increase dehydration
- resting for 15 minutes after an hour of dancing or until the pulse and temperature drop. Heart rate should be less than 90 beats per minute after five minutes' rest
- getting fresh, cool air
Sex
There is evidence that the use of psychostimulants is associated with increased sexual risk-taking behaviour, including unsafe sex. Cocaine users especially, often feel invincible and that they don't need to worry about using condoms. Methamphetamine use has been associated with people who have increased number of sexual partners and more sexual activity, decreased condom use/higher rates of unprotected sex which may increase the chance of acquiring sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
Crystal meth and ice can make it difficult for some men to get or maintain an erection. To counter this, you may use Viagra or other impotence drugs. This presents a number of health risks including potential heart attacks.
Teeth and gums
Regular heavy use of crystal meth and ice, like other drugs, can cause a variety of mouth problems. Crystal meth use (especially smoking) can lead to bleeding gums, sores or loose teeth. This is because:
- methamphetamine shrinks blood vessels. When they shrink, they can't carry enough blood to your teeth and gums. This causes dental tissue to break down with the end result being tooth decay, gum problems and bone loss.
- methamphetamine causes a dry mouth. Saliva breaks down acids in your mouth. Without enough saliva, acids build up to form plaque which can then lead to tooth decay.
- methamphetamine users often crave and eat a lot of sugar. Unfortunately, these sugar and food particles increase the growth of bacteria which in turn promotes infection, damage to tooth enamel and plaque.
Pregnancy
Current evidence suggests that the use of MDMA (ecstasy) in the first trimester of pregnancy can cause birth defects, but this is unlikely from amphetamine or cocaine use. The evidence is unclear as to other possible effects, especially from binge use. Babies born to women who have used amphetamines or cocaine in late third trimester are at risk of neonatal withdrawal symptoms. There is limited evidence that use of methamphetamine in pregnancy can result in damage to the placenta, higher rates of early delivery, small for gestational age babies, and heart and brain abnormalities in babies.
Brain damage
Methamphetamine affects a number of chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, responsible for inter-cellular communication within the brain. It remains unknown whether the use of stimulants causes permanent brain damage, and if it does, what effects this might have. Current evidence suggests that:
- it's likely that the heavier and longer-term users are more at risk of possible brain damage
- the damaging effects of methamphetamine can be amplified when used in combination with other drugs, such as alcohol, cocaine and heroin.
There is now emerging evidence for possible brain toxicity associated with continued use of methamphetamine, with certain regions of the brain more vulnerable than others. This toxicity is related to effects on dopamine, as well as damage to neurons and attached nerve fibres. Signs of toxicity include impairment in memory, concentration, motivation and planning ability.
Other effects
Methamphetamine is able to raise the level of three important neurotransmitters - noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin by several means, and it is this change which is responsible for the ‘high' you feel when you use methamphetamine. In addition, methamphetamine is felt to be more potent than other stimulants (such as ecstasy and cocaine), because of the longer time it remains in your blood stream (known as half life), and the ease with which the drug is able to interact with both brain cells (neurons) and attached nerve fibres within your brain.
This potency factor may be a reason why people find it hard to stop using methamphetamine.
Continued effects on neurotransmitters with use of methamphetamine, especially dopamine, is now known to be involved in development of dependence to the drug, withdrawal symptoms when you stop using, and psychiatric manifestations such as increased paranoia.
Stimulant type drugs may also constrict the arteries supplying the bodies organs, including the heart, kidneys and brain, and this can lead to cell death as a result of loss of oxygen supply. Stimulant drug use may also:
- damage arteries as a result of inflammation and aneurysm formation, and promote development of thrombosis, all of which may lead to heart attack and stroke
- increase heart rate and blood pressure
- contribute to formation of narrowed arteries
- lead to development of cardiac hypertrophy (increase in heart muscle volume), as well as cardiomyopathy (increase stretch and dilation of your heart muscle).
Many of these effects contribute to the development of other effects, all of which contribute to the severity, morbidity and mortality associated with stimulant drug use.
