Nghiên cứu của Dr. Karen Vieira: Hallucinogens, Methamphetamine, Cocaine

Original content:

Alcohol, Drugs and Weight Gain or Loss: What the Research Says

Stimulants

Drugs with stimulant effects – caffeine, ecstasy (MDMA), cocaine and methamphetamines (e.g., speed or crystal meth) among this list – can speed up brain activity, and have the potential to increase blood pressure and heart rate. Stimulants can alter certain mental processes, with people often failing to recognize the homeostatic urges of hunger or dehydration. When stimulants are abused, this effect could result in weight loss and other, more lethal health consequences.

Ecstasy (MDMA)

Ecstasy is a commonly taken illicit drug that is typically sold on the streets. A serious problem that is associated with the purchase of ecstasy involves not knowing whether the drug is made up of a pure product or a combination of other harmful substances. Commonly reported adulterant substances include amphetamine, ephedrine and over-the-counter cold remedies such as pseudoephedrine and dextromethorphan (DXM).

Taking just one dose of ecstasy can cause harmful side effects such as [21]:

• Anxiety, paranoia or depression
• Memory and sleep disturbances
• A rapid, slow or irregular heartbeat, which may result in death
• A rapid loss of sodium (salt) in the blood, which can negatively impact normal functions in the body

The long-term abuse of ecstasy may result in serious muscle tissue damage and the release of muscle enzymes into the blood. These large proteins can deposit in the kidneys, leading to damage or overt renal failure.

Stimulants such as ecstasy often make people feel as if they have high levels of energy and this may prevent them from realizing that they are hungry or have not been drinking enough liquids. Long-term use may result in weight loss. The relatively long acting effects of ecstasy can elevate body temperature, and an accompanying state of dehydration can become quite serious, if not fatal. As with other psychoactive drugs, changes in mental processes can a host of negative influences on a healthy body weight, especially abused for long periods of time.

Cocaine

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant that increases blood pressure, suppresses the appetite and can cause regular users to eat fewer balanced meals than those who do not use cocaine [22]. Cocaine abuse also inhibits the ability to gauge the amount of fatty foods that are being eaten when feelings of hunger become dire [22].

Side effects such as these lead to irregular eating patterns and weight loss. Drug seeking behavior, which commonly occurs due to cocaine abuse, can also reduce the appetite thereby causing individuals to forget to eat properly and eventually begin to lose weight. The cessation of prolonged cocaine use leads to an increase in appetite and subsequent weight gain in some individuals.

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamines (speed, crystal meth, meth) share a number of effect on the mind and body with ecstasy, especially in regard to decreases in appetite and memory function. Of note, long term abuse of amphetamines may cause a syndrome of depression as well. Each of these side effects may result in unhealthy eating habits, weight loss and, secondarily to depression, even weight gain over time. Similar to cocaine cessation, the cessation of methamphetamines after a prolonged period of abuse has, in some cases, lead to a rebound appetite increase with resultant weight gain.

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens dramatically alter the mind and the senses by causing people to experience a variety of sensory hallucinations – often seeing distorted images or objects that are not really there. These types of hallucinations often occur in conjunction with markedly abnormal behavior, anxiety attacks and paranoia.

PCP, LSD, ketamine and magic mushrooms all have the potential to elicit hallucinations or powerful dissociative experiences. People who take large amounts of ecstasy or marijuana may also report episodes of hallucination.

Hallucinogens can affect emotions, concentration, memory and thinking ability, as well as cause distorted vision and hearing. Drowsiness, sweating, nausea, vomiting and irregular breathing may also occur [23]. This array of issues, particularly in those who abuse them long-term, can lead to loss of appetite and diminished nutrition and, over time, contribute to unhealthy weight loss.

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About the Author

Dr. Karen Vieira, PhD MSM

Dr. Vieira is a research scientist with a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Florida College of Medicine Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. She has done clinical and laboratory research on diseases, cellular functioning and nutritional supplements. Her focus is helping people make dietary and lifestyle changes that prevent, cure or improve health conditions.