The history of methamphetamine as a weight-loss tool
Origins in medical and military settings
Methamphetamine was first synthesized in 1919 and initially used in medical and military settings.
It was prescribed as a treatment for obesity, narcolepsy, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
During World War II, methamphetamine was widely used by soldiers on both sides to maintain alertness and combat fatigue.
These legitimate uses eventually gave way to a more sinister reputation, as the drug’s addictive nature and devastating side effects became apparent.
Transition to illicit drug use
Over time, methamphetamine use transitioned from medical applications to illicit drug use.
The powerful stimulant effects and the potential for abuse led to its classification as a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States, making it illegal to use without a prescription.
As the drug became more tightly regulated, clandestine laboratories emerged to produce and distribute methamphetamine, further solidifying its association with criminal activity and addiction.
The reasons behind the consideration of methamphetamine for weight loss
Powerful appetite suppressant and stimulant effects
Methamphetamine is a potent appetite suppressant and stimulant, making it attractive to individuals seeking rapid weight loss.
The drug increases the release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain, leading to feelings of euphoria, increased energy, and decreased appetite. This combination of effects can result in rapid and significant weight loss, at least initially.
Anecdotal evidence of rapid weight loss
The use of methamphetamine for weight loss is often fueled by anecdotal evidence and personal testimonials from individuals who have experienced significant weight loss while using the drug.
However, these stories often fail to mention the serious health risks and side effects associated with methamphetamine use, painting an incomplete picture of the consequences.
The need for a thorough examination of the risks and benefits of using methamphetamine for weight loss
While it is undeniable that methamphetamine can lead to short-term weight loss, the risks, and side effects far outweigh any potential benefits.
Methamphetamine use can lead to addiction, heart problems, dental issues, skin sores, and severe mental health problems, such as anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations.
Furthermore, any weight loss achieved through methamphetamine use is often temporary, with weight regain likely once the drug is discontinued.
In conclusion, using methamphetamine as a weight loss solution is a dangerous and misguided approach.
The risks associated with this potent stimulant far outweigh any potential benefits. Instead, individuals seeking to lose weight should focus on sustainable lifestyle changes and consult with healthcare professionals to develop a safe and effective weight loss plan.
Short Term Side Effects
When asking yourself, “why does meth make you skinny?” it is important to remember the overwhelming negatives that come with meth weight loss. Even in small doses, methamphetamines are a robust stimulant. Its short-term side effects include:
- A lessening of fatigue
- An increased ability to pay attention
- Suppression of appetite
- A state of euphoria
- Increased rates of respiration
The consequences of meth use are cardiovascular problems, including an elevated heart rate, irregular heartbeats, and a dramatic increase in blood pressure. Your body temperature can elevate while high, called hyperthermia.
Convulsions can happen when you take too much meth, and if not treated as soon as they occur, they may result in death.
What causes the euphoric high from meth use is not well understood by scientists. Meth does release dramatic dopamine levels, a neurotransmitter, which works with the brain’s reward system. Prolonged use tricks the brain into needing more of the drug to feel pleasure, which drives use.
Outside of meth use, dopamine regulates the motor function and our ability to motivate ourselves. When meth comes into the picture, it becomes what the brain wants to achieve with a sense of motivation and relays accomplishment to the user.
The brain quickly begins to function in a way reliant on meth use and drives the user to consume larger quantities of the drug each time they get high. Meth quickly causes severe psychological dependency.
At first, meth seems to be the solution to mood-related disorders, which is a great side effect if you’re starting meth for weight loss. The problem is this elevated mood is extremely temporary, and when the high is over, you’ll feel much worse than you did before you took the drug.
The Physical Consequences That Come With Meth Use
Severe tooth decay and tooth loss are common (called meth mouth). A lack of attention to dental hygiene while high is one of the causes of meth mouth. Forgetting to stay hydrated causes dry mouth which exacerbates tooth decay.
Meth users usually develop skin sores resulting from obsessive skin picking and the thinning of the skin to extract imagined insects and worms from under the skin.
The loss in appetite that meth causes is so severe that it results in poor nutrition, which leads to a decomposition of almost all bodily functions, including the attributes that make up your otherwise healthy outward appearance.
Dopamine is the main contributor to the high felt in meth users. Meth releases a burst of dopamine, but this large boom of neurotransmitters also leads to a dramatic crash. Most meth users quickly find themselves binging and crashing then seeking their next high so they can binge again.
Meth rewires the brain in such a way that users put themselves at risk of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s deals with the nerves involved in the movement, so while meth increases motor abilities while high, it can also permanently damage your ability to move.
A reason answering “why does meth make you skinny” is this increase in motor ability while high, but the consequences to this burst inability come with permanent consequences.
The Long Term Consequences of Meth Use
Symptoms of Prolonged Meth Use
Meth causes various dysfunctions in the body, and the longer you use it, the worse the damage gets. Common symptoms in meth users are:
- Uncontrollable addiction
- Psychosis including paranoia and hallucinations
- Unconsciously repeating motor movements
- Rewiring of brain functions and structures
- Inability to think clearly
- Uncontrollable motor movements
- Easy distractibility
- Loss of both short-term and long-term memory
- Uncontrollable outbursts of violence or aggressiveness
- Disturbances of moods
- Severe and obvious dental problems
- Dramatic weight loss
Statistics Around Meth
A study by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2017 determined that 1.6 million people used meth that year, with 774,000 using meth in the 30 days before the survey. The median age of new users was around 23 years old.
Around 964,000 people, or .4% of the US, had a meth abuse disorder. Their disability was identifiable because they had major dysfunctions with their health, and ability to maintain responsibilities and had lost important relationships.
Meth and Weight Loss
Wondering “Why does meth make you skinny” shouldn’t inform your drug use. Meth depletes your ability to provide your body with proper nutrients, creating unhealthy weight loss.
Sometimes, meth is prevalent in social scenes, and other users spiraling into addiction will discuss the benefits of their meth weight loss. Don’t fall victim to this.
Other users will try and fool you as they are cycling into abuse. Social scenes centered on meth abuse foster excuses to keep using a very dangerous drug.
Almost all meth users are trying to lose weight begin pining for their next hit before the initial high has worn off, which quickly spirals into uncontrollable addiction.
The prevalence of obesity and the desire for quick weight-loss solutions
Statistics on obesity rates
Obesity has become a significant public health concern worldwide, with an increasing number of people affected by this condition. According to the World Health Organization, the global prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled since 1975.
In 2016, over 1.9 billion adults were classified as overweight, with 650 million of those being considered obese. The issue is not limited to adults; the prevalence of overweight and obese children has also risen dramatically, with over 340 million children and adolescents affected in 2016.
Health risks associated with obesity
Obesity is associated with numerous health risks that can negatively impact an individual’s quality of life and even lead to premature death.
These risks include, but are not limited to, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (such as heart disease and stroke), certain types of cancer, musculoskeletal disorders (like osteoarthritis), and sleep apnea. In addition to the physical health risks, obesity can also contribute to mental health issues, such as depression and low self-esteem.
The demand for quick and easy weight-loss solutions
The appeal of rapid results
In the face of the growing obesity epidemic, the demand for quick and easy weight-loss solutions has surged.
Many people are attracted to the idea of rapid results, hoping to achieve their weight loss goals in the shortest time possible.
This desire for instant gratification can lead individuals to try fad diets, unproven supplements, and even dangerous weight-loss methods in an attempt to see quick progress.
The role of societal pressures and body image expectations
Societal pressures and body image expectations also contribute to the demand for quick weight-loss solutions. The media and cultural norms often promote an unrealistic and unattainable ideal of beauty, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction with one’s body. These pressures can drive individuals to search for extreme and potentially harmful weight-loss methods in an effort to conform to societal standards. Unfortunately, these quick fixes rarely provide long-term success and can even result in further health complications.
Why Meth Can’t Solve Your Health Problems
It’s common for drug users to think that meth isn’t that addictive, and people think they can use meth recreationally without any negative side effects.
Meth for weight loss may seem tempting, but weight loss is just one factor in many using the drug.
When you find yourself asking, “why does meth make you skinny,” it’s often coupled with a desire to get the superhuman focus that meth is known to give its users.
While it’s true that the meth high in the beginning causes a deep ability to focus, this quickly spirals out of control.
If you are looking for a way to conquer attention deficit problems, it is much safer to seek the help of a doctor in finding the right medications for you that are safe to use.
There are legal drugs on the market that can provide the focusing benefits you long for that do not come with the addictive qualities of methamphetamine abuse.
Meth will suppress your appetite and the need to sleep for days at a time, as long as you have more of the drug to take as it wears off.
This misleads users into thinking that meth for weight loss is a good idea. However, the effects of avoiding sleep and food intake while high comes with dramatic consequences.
While meth weight loss does occur, it is due to poor nutrition and bad diet choices. Therefore, these consequences are not sustainable and will not lead to healthy long-term weight loss.
When you come off of meth, your appetite will return, and you’ll suffer from lethargy, causing you to regain all that you lost.
Why Meth Use is Not a Sustainable Solution
While meth weight loss does occur, using meth affects a user’s appearance negatively. It causes people to age prematurely and creates obvious and irreparable dental issues.
The immense dopamine that meth produces stays in the brain for a long time, creating side effects that contribute to weight loss.
However, you’ll quickly discover that you can’t feel normal or driven without methamphetamines, which goes far beyond simply using meth for weight loss.
Does meth make you lose weight? Yes, at the expense of your other vital bodily systems and the rest of your appearance.
You’ll end up less attractive than before you started using due to the negative consequences of meth on the rest of your outward appearance.
Meth and Concentration
Many students fall into the trap of thinking methamphetamines are a good choice because meth weight loss is easily observable among abusers. It is also well known that meth can increase concentration.
It’s tempting to make meth so you can stay up late studying, but this choice has major health consequences.
Meth quickly affects cognitive functioning, making it harder to concentrate and retain the information you’re trying to learn.
When you should be studying, it’s easy to begin pining after meth, as your brain will quickly prioritize drug use over your desire to get good grades.
Conquering Meth Use With Healthy Alternatives
While meth may seem tempting when asking, “does meth make you lose weight,” many more healthy alternatives are available.
People who are often wondering, “why does meth make you skinny” are also combating other issues in their lives that make meth look appealing at first glance.
The reality is that methamphetamines have horrible consequences for the body and mind.
People drawn into the possible euphoric effects of meth use while considering meth for weight loss will find that therapies directed at depression and anxiety will go much farther in helping them solve their problems than using methamphetamines.
Often, a person is drawn to meth weight loss because they deal with underlying body dysmorphia.
Before you pick up this harmful substance, find healthy solutions to the body image problems that plague you.
Doctors are well equipped to help you manage a sustainable diet plan that won’t cause a crippling addiction.
