Final answer:
Taking methamphetamine triggers increased neurotransmitter activity and physiological arousal, leading to increased alertness, euphoria, and energy, along with elevated heart rate and blood pressure. High doses can lead to agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, and long-term brain damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physiological Response to Methamphetamine Use
When a person takes methamphetamine, they experience a range of physiological responses due to the drug's stimulant properties. Initially, there is an increase in neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, leading to increased alertness, heightened energy, and oftentimes, euphoria. However, high doses are associated with serious side effects such as agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, and risks of long-term damage including brain structure changes and depletion of neurotransmitters.
Other acute physiological effects include an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, dilated pupils, reduced appetite, and increased body temperature. The user may also experience a decreased need for sleep and an intense craving for the drug, which can lead to repeated use and eventual addiction. Methamphetamine's quick onset of a euphoric high, especially when smoked or injected, drives a cycle of binge use, where the user may forgo food and sleep while taking the drug in a pattern of repeated dosing.