Anabolic Steroids: What They Are, Uses, Side Effects & Risks

## What is Methamphetamine?
**Methamphetamine** (often shortened to *meth*) is a potent central‑nervous‑system stimulant that belongs to the class of **amphiphilic amines**. It has a similar chemical structure to amphetamine but contains an additional methyl group, which makes it more lipophilic and therefore able to cross the blood–brain barrier more efficiently.

| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Drug class** | Stimulant (amphetamine‑like) |
| **Mechanism of action** | Increases extracellular dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin by:
• Promoting release from presynaptic vesicles.
• Blocking reuptake transporters.
• Inhibiting monoamine oxidase (MAO) to some extent. |
| **Routes of administration** | Oral ingestion, inhalation (smoking or vaping), intranasal insufflation, intravenous injection. |
| **Typical effects** | Euphoria, increased alertness and confidence, decreased appetite, tachycardia, hypertension, pupil dilation.
High doses can cause anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, seizures, cardiovascular collapse. |

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## 3. How the "Nicotine‑based" product works

| Component | Role in producing a "high" |
|-----------|-----------------------------|
| **Nicotine** | Primary psychoactive compound; stimulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) → dopamine release in nucleus accumbens → reward. |
| **Additives / Flavoring agents** | Some flavor chemicals may have mild CNS effects or enhance sensory pleasure, increasing the overall experience. |
| **Heat‑generated aerosol** | Delivers nicotine rapidly into the bloodstream via pulmonary absorption; speed of onset is similar to smoking, giving a quick "rush." |

Thus the product’s high is essentially the same neurochemical response as smoking cigarettes: nicotinic stimulation → dopamine release → pleasurable feeling.

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## 3. How Long Does the High Last?

| Condition | Duration of the observable "high" | Notes |
|-----------|-----------------------------------|-------|
| **Immediate nicotine absorption (pulmonary)** | ~5–10 min for peak effect; overall effects last 30‑60 min | The subjective feeling peaks quickly and fades as plasma nicotine declines. |
| **After a single use** | The high is short‑lived; after ~15‑20 min most people feel "neutral." | Some may still experience mild craving or withdrawal relief for several hours. |

Because nicotine is rapidly cleared from the body, a single session rarely produces lingering euphoria beyond an hour.

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## 3. Long‑Term Effects of Regular Use

### 3.1 Physiological Consequences
| System | Effect of Chronic Nicotine Exposure |
|--------|-------------------------------------|
| Cardiovascular | ↑Heart rate, ↑blood pressure → higher risk of hypertension and atherosclerosis. |
| Respiratory (if smoked) | Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, reduced lung function. |
| Neurological | Altered dopamine pathways → tolerance; potential for neurocognitive decline with heavy use. |

### 3.2 Addiction Profile
- **Tolerance**: Need progressively higher doses to achieve the same effect.
- **Withdrawal**: Symptoms include irritability, anxiety, headaches, increased appetite.
- **Behavioral Dependence**: Habitual use patterns (e.g., smoking before meals) reinforce addiction.

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## 4. Comparative Summary

| Feature | Caffeine | Nicotine |
|---------|----------|----------|
| Primary receptor target | Adenosine A1/A2A antagonism | α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors |
| Typical dosage for effect | 50–200 mg (coffee) | 0.4–0.6 mg/kg (smoking) |
| Onset | ~5‑10 min (oral),