Methamphetamine or Cocaine: Which Addiction Is Worse?

As scientists study the effects of illegal drugs on the human body, one fact is becoming clear: Methamphetamine is more physically dangerous than cocaine.

A new research study, soon to be published in the Nov. 1, 2008 issue of the journal NeuroImage,  suggests that methamphetamine enters the brain just as quickly as cocaine but spreads further and stays in the brain longer.

The study, which was conducted by the  Brookhaven National Laboratory, measured brain uptake, distribution, and clearance of methamphetamine in 19 healthy, non-drug-abusing men by injecting them with radioactively tagged forms of methamphetamine and cocaine in doses too small to have any psychoactive effects.

The researchers found that both drugs enter the brain quickly, but that methamphetamine clears the brain later and affects more brain regions than cocaine.

“Nothing is good about either of these drugs, but according to research methamphetamine affects more of the brain than cocaine and has longer lasting effects,” comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director for Narconon Drug Rehab Georgia. “Since everything excluding the kitchen sink is used to make methamphetamine, it is no wonder that meth brains fair much more poorly than those affected by cocaine.

“Anyone who has been around persons using either of these drugs can concur that the behavior of someone on methamphetamine is likely to be more violent and unthinking than someone on cocaine.  Not only are the tempers of a meth addicts explosive but there are those occasional explosions in the kitchens used as meth labs.  These explosions can tear house apart and spread dangerous chemicals into the environment.

“Both drugs are bad and it would seem that no one’s brain is expendable, whether it is using a lot or a just a little bit."

Save your brain – stay away from the meth and the cocaine.

If you know someone who is drug addicted, then call Narconon.  We have a 76% success rate.

Call Narconon Drug Rehab 1-877-413-3073 for more information on effective drug treatment.

We are Narconon – The New Life Program.
 
Copyright © 2008 Narconon of Georgia Inc. (www.drugsno.com) All rights reserved. Narconon and the Narconon Logo are trademarks and service marks owned by the Association for Better Living and Education International and are used with its permission. Narconon of Georgia is a non-profit 501© public benefit corporation.