Speed drugs are classified as methamphetamines. They are highly addictive central nervous system stimulants. Speed drugs release excess amounts of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that stimulates brain cells to induce a feeling of euphoria, enhancement of mood, focus and wakefulness. The drugs typically produce an intense high or rush described by users as extremely pleasurable. While the rush or high lasts only a few minutes, the devastation to the body and brain can be permanent. Drugs such as cocaine, crack cocaine and crystal meth are different types of speed drugs that release excess amounts of dopamine into the brain and induce a feeling of euphoria.
Crystal Meth
Crystal meth is an extremely pure form of smokable methamphetamine. Crystal meth releases an excess amount of dopamine in the brain, inducing a euphoric high that lasts six to 12 hours. This excess release of dopamine creates a physiological and psychological dependence on the drug. According to the PBS investigative series "Frontline," long-term use of crystal meth changes the brain chemistry and leads to severe brain damage including psychosis and hallucinations, judgment and memory impairment as well as the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Crystal meth also constricts the blood vessels. Heavy usage of this drug weakens and destroys blood vessels as well as the tissue in which these blood vessels are unable to deliver blood to, thus inhibiting the body's ability to repair itself.
Cocaine
Cocaine is highly addictive central nervous stimulant derived from the leaves of the erythroxylon coca bush. Cocaine is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor; thus it causes excess amounts of dopamine to build up in the brain, accounting for its euphoric effects. Prolonged use of cocaine results in changes in the brain's reward system thus creating a physiological and psychological dependence on the drug. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimates that in 2007 there were 2.1 million current cocaine users in the United States with 1.7 percent of young adults reporting usage of cocaine during the past month.
Crack Cocaine
Crack cocaine is a highly addictive central nervous system stimulant drug produced by mixing cocaine with baking soda and water. Similar to cocaine, crack cocaine produces excess amounts of dopamine in the brain producing immediate but short term euphoric effects. Due to fact that crack is smoked, the drug reaches the brain within 10 seconds and thus the user experiences a rather intense and immediate high. Additionally, crack significantly changes the brain chemistry causing the individual become highly addicted to the drug, physiologically and psychologically. According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, 150,000 individuals aged 12 to 17 and about 1 million individuals aged 18 to 25 have used crack cocaine at least once.
