Methadone is used as both a painkiller when other drugs have failed and as a treatment path for heroin addicts to help them beat their addiction, notes MedlinePlus. Methadone works by altering how the brain responds to pain and how the nervous system picks up pain signals. Though thought of primarily as a drug for a set of symptoms, methadone can cause its own side effects including mental effects.
Increased Anxiety Levels
One of the mental effects of methadone is an increase in the symptoms of anxiety or restlessness. This can be caused by the way methadone blocks brain receptors that were previously being influenced by opiate drugs. Drugs.com notes that this is considered to be a minor side effect of methadone treatment.
Mood Swings
Methadone can cause shifts in a patient's mental state and mood. Mood changes and mood swings are linked to methadone use, but Drugs.com reports that these are not considered to be serious side effects. According to Office of The President, National Drug Control Policy, mood shifts associated with methadone treatments are much more muted than the violent mood swings associated with drug addiction.
Hallucinations
According to Drugs.com, one of the side effects of methadone on the brain is the occurrence of hallucinations. This is considered a serious side effect and patients experiencing hallucinations should seek immediate medical attention.
Confusion
Methadone can cause confusion in patients under treatment. Drugs.com notes that this is considered a serious side effect and patients should report their symptoms to their consulting physicians immediately. Once dosage adjustments have been made to optimal levels, methadone should not have any adverse mental effect on cognitive function.
Psychological Dependence
MedlinePlus notes that methadone use can be habit-forming, just like the narcotic it replaces. Users can become mentally hooked on the sensations caused by this medication. To counteract this possible mental dependency, methadone is usually administered under tightly-controlled settings with a monitoring physician on guard for signs of addiction.
