Your Brain on Meth
Images are powerful – these ones especially. If you’ve ever used meth or have someone close to you that uses and wondered why meth can cause an inherent ability to just stop caring about things, maybe this will help explain. This is a photo of a SPECTscan done on a 28 year old “normal” woman’s brain (left) and a 28 year old meth user’s brain (right). A SPECTscan measures the amount of blood flow to tissues in the body.
The subject of this image used meth heavily for eight years – at 28 she’s got visible brain damage. At a glance you can see that areas are literally hollow or inactive. From my research on the subject I was able to glean the fact that meth literally eats away your brain. This plays a big part in the reason why meth users do things that can defy logic. They can effectively lose the part of the brain that would normally be the system of rationale checks and balances. Compounding the problem is the dire need to get high and in chasing that high there is no need for logic; because nothing else matters.
The photo above is another SPECTscan of a meth user (details of the subject are unknown) that shows the red areas as parts of the brain that 5% or more or the tissues are actually dead.
There is hope.
These images look scary and are shocking if you don’t know what effect meth has on the brain. There are studies proving that meth can certainly cause irreversible brain damage; however many studies using the same SPECTscan technology show that after prolonged abstinence from meth, areas of the brain can actually reconnect. The dead areas seen in the images can actually be revitalized as the brain forms new pathways and connections.
The human body absolutely amazes me.
Images provided courtesy of Dr. Daniel Amen. For more SPECTscan images from Dr. Daniel Amen - click here.
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[...] His contribution to the world of understanding addiction is invaluable. How often do you see a doctor who has been through the same addictions as you (or is willing to admit it)? I highly recommed his blog if you are interested in learing about the mechanics of addiction from someone in the medical field who has seen life as an addict first hand. One of my personal favorites is his series on addiction and the brain because I am fascinated at how the brain works; especially the effects of meth on your brain. [...]
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Yikes
Yikes
wow my friend used meth for a while. She is not the brightest crayon in the box, either. I cant believe that she doesn’t look worse than she does. Although her eyes are VERY squinted, and she looks older than she should.
wow my friend used meth for a while. She is not the brightest crayon in the box, either. I cant believe that she doesn’t look worse than she does. Although her eyes are VERY squinted, and she looks older than she should.
Thank you so much for your very informative sight. I have just found out my son is an addict and your site has taught me quite a bit.
God bless.
It is shocking indeed and frankly I don't know what to believe anymore. I know that meth users are highly affected by the drug but I never thought the consequences can be that severe. So are you trying to tell us that meth users don't have any chace for full recovery in a drug rehab center?
Do you really think images like this will prevent people from doing meth or do you have insight into what it really takes to stop people, especially children, from trying it in the first place?
-CW
8mm film to DVD
What i dont understand is why people get involved with this kind of stuff anyway. How meth screws your brain and body over is plastered all over!! Are people really THIS desprate to get a “high” in there life?? this make me sad and im praying for all victims of meth out there. hopefully your fight with the monster will be over soon.
What i dont understand is why people get involved with this kind of stuff anyway. How meth screws your brain and body over is plastered all over!! Are people really THIS desprate to get a “high” in there life?? this make me sad and im praying for all victims of meth out there. hopefully your fight with the monster will be over soon.
I'm so love this blog, already bookmarked it! Thanks.
Christ.
the sad thing is, this is not going to scare people off trying it.. or give people the motivation to get clean.. trust me. all it takes is curiosity to try it, because you think if you try it just that one time you'l never want to again.. curiosity killed the cat.
My sister is in a state home right now because she is crazy. Meth not only destroyed her life but she has four children that will grow up without a mother. My sister had everything. A beautiful house, husband, didn't have to work, 4 beautiful children and then she started doing Meth a year ago. Today she is in a state home so out of her mind she dosn't even know what is real and not..THANK YOU METH FOR TAKING MY BIG SISTER AWAY FROM ME….Please to everyone this is is very real and a monster…it has destroyed many lives in my family. Don't let it destroy yours or someone you love!!!
I was a heavy user for 3+ months in 2001. I haven't used it since christmas eve 2001(a couple cocaine flings in 2005). My quality of life has been drastically altered. I'm plagued by anxiety most of the day. I have virtually zero interest in touching the stuff ever again. The anxiety is caused by a lack of confidence, and the fear of failing. I was quite timid before my usage, as well as ADHD. I believe my usage amplified my problem. I was merely curious. I snorted the stuff 3 times, and hated the way my nose felt. But then a guy I thought was my friend, said I could smoke it. BIG mistake. 10X as addictive that way. I recently began taking Ginkgo Biloba. Supposedly helps the memory. I do know one thing. I've had some of the clearest dreams I've ever had! And a slight improvement on my confidence levels. I believe its possible, that attaining R.E.M. sleep, may be helping me improve my condition. I know it's not a miracle cure, but it does seem to be helping. I read once upon a time, that it increases oxygen and blood flow to the brain. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
For people who are curious, and want to try Meth…don't! You WILL regret it. To date, it's the biggest mistake I've made. Though I did learn a very powerful lesson.
Some people have chemical imbalances in there brain which increase their urges to get high. Being one of those people with an imbalance i find your comment offensive.
Christina…Thats a cop out. Chemical Imbalance or no, it ultimately comes down to choices. Free will and all that Jazz. You can choose to do these things or you can choose not to. Everyone has the ability to choose to do it, and everyone has the ability to choose not to. It comes down to your own choice, don't blame an imbalance at least own your choices.
You’re a fucking retard. :/
Christina, that is a total excuse and you know it. Both of my parents are/have been meth addicts. This “chemical imbalance” you speak of might exist, but definitely not in the way you are thinking. Yes, addiction is inherited to a degree. This might be what you are talking about. Everyone in my family has been a major drug addict. Even without the genetic factors simply being raised in a bad environment with drugs can predispose you to addictions. However, there is always the choice. That “chemical imbalance” did not force you to pick up the needle, the pipe, or whatever. You did that yourself, and to be honest for people like me who have resisted the temptation to do such dangerous and damaging drugs your comment is frustrating. I bet everyone would like to blame their addiction on “chemical imbalances”, but instead they had to man up and admit it was their own fault. When you blame things on forces out of your control it sure does make it easier to do it again, then claim helplessness, huh?
Thank you for your personal insight in this addiction…my brother has been an addict for the past 10 yrs now and has all but destroyed our family. He has always ‘thought’ that the man who ‘gave him meth in exchange for some trade work’ is the one responsible for his addiction. He was a welder for many years, always had pot on him to smoke (a gate-way drug, don’t care HOW you think, but it IS) and then got into the meth. He had the capability of making a six-figure income (and did before) and now he is dumpster-diving in the alleys of Edmonton, and harrassing my mother into giving him money, vehicles, etc. when he threatens suicide…sad…………..!
Sorry to hear that kate. You have my sympathies. My first reaction was to blame my dealer, but I realized that I made the decision. Despite my not knowing what I was getting into. I only used for 3 months, but it was enough to drastically alter the rest of my life. I’ll never be the same. Most of my problems now are psychological. Due in part to the nastiness of the drug. I sure wish the stuff would disappear off the face of the earth forever. Perhaps one day the human race will wise up, and this will be nothing more than a phase in our evolutionary chain
If not…I pity our childrens children 
u guys are a bunch of dum asses if you wanna say crap to me email me to princess1969@live.com