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 veggie
Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 5,791
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 Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'?
#8338296 - 04/28/08 04:52 PM (4 months, 6 days ago) |
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Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'?
April 28, 2008 - Wired
Research by medical anthropologists suggests that methamphetamine users often take the drug to increase their performance at work or school, not just to get high.
The work came to my attention via a comment on the Mind Hacks blog by Daniel Lende, a Notre Dame professor, responding to a post about Wired.com readers' drug regimens. He wrote:
Quote:
Even with a drug like methamphetamine, most heavy users in our research engaged in "functional use." They [are] used to enhance cognitive function (or compensate for deficits), to increase overall productivity, and even to appear "normal" while being high (say, unlike alcohol).
After we made contact, the professor sent me a paper on the research, which appeared last year in Addiction Research and Theory. Lende and his colleagues interviewed 40 heavy meth users in Atlanta about how they used the drug that has widely been called the "new crack."
Instead of stories about the fun of crystal meth, the users spoke about the productivity gains they received from the drug. Their comments were eerily similar to what our readers said about using Adderall, Provigil, and Ritalin.
One seamstress claimed that productivity gains were the only reason she used the drug:
Quote:
I went home and made a dress... and I was like, my God, I got the details down so well on this and everything, this is really an opportunitive drug here... I work drugged, which I know sounds stupid, but that's, it's not a social situation for me... I could totally just focus on the project at hand. And that was the biggest first and still is the only enticement of the drug.
Another user contrasted speed with other, supposedly fun drugs:
Quote:
It's the drug that's opposite to things that are
like recreational like marijuana or heroin or things like that, those drugs you can enjoy them if you have a lot of free time on your hands. Speed you can enjoy because it helps you get things done and therefore I would think that more people would want to get things done considering, you know, the pervasive emphasis on work ethic in our society. It's just a really good drug.
It's the drug that's opposite to things that are like recreational like marijuana or heroin or things like that, those drugs you can enjoy them if you have a lot of free time on your hands. Speed you can enjoy because it helps you get things done and therefore I would think that more people would want to get things done considering, you know, the pervasive emphasis on work ethic in our society. It's just a really good drug.
See Also:
Professionals Use Drugs to Sharpen Their Minds
Drugs to build up that mental muscle
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sherm
sherman
Registered: 10/02/03
Posts: 13,346
Loc: Euthanasia
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Re: Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'? [Re: veggie]
#8338352 - 04/28/08 05:03 PM (4 months, 6 days ago) |
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oh yea
all the tweakers i know are way more productive
it helps them pick scabs / make new ones
helps them steal more shit too
and they make new crack pipes all the time
im not saying its not possible to use it in a productive way
but this sounds like bullshit
people making excuses
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hail jesus
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 PreyToGod
Seeker of Eyes
Registered: 01/23/08
Posts: 71
Loc: Southeast america
Last seen: 19 hours, 29 minutes
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 Re: Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'? [Re: veggie]
#8338403 - 04/28/08 05:15 PM (4 months, 6 days ago) |
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Totally ignroing the obvious physical side effects and the horrible impact it has on your hygiene and appearence, has this guy never seen anyone all tweaked out? It is not pretty. If by smart you mean motivated to follow meticulous instructions by the inability to sit still then we may be on to something. 
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"We live together, we act on, and react to, one another but always and in all circumstances we are by ourselves... By its very nature every embodied spirit is doomed to suffer and enjoy in solitude."
Edited by PreyToGod (04/28/08 05:33 PM)
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JRayV
guy on the couch
Registered: 10/20/06
Posts: 491
Loc: Kentucky
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Re: Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'? [Re: PreyToGod]
#8338531 - 04/28/08 05:49 PM (4 months, 6 days ago) |
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Crystal methamphetamine is far from a "smart drug". It is either injected, smoked, or taken orally in the form of E. Though there are alot of people who self-medicate with the drug, it is still unacceptable considering there are safer, more effective legal alternatives.
Racemic methamphetamine has no recognized medicinal value as of now, but when the isomers are separated, you get 2 different very effective drugs for completely different purposes.
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DrOli
Biochemist
Registered: 08/27/07
Posts: 123
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Re: Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'? [Re: JRayV]
#8338660 - 04/28/08 06:19 PM (4 months, 6 days ago) |
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There is a visible link between meth and ritalin as they both stem from the amphetamine family and it isn't hard to see how meth can increase productivity if you look at the way ritalin increases it. However ritalin is far, far less addictive, if addictive at all compared to methamphetamine. Thus making crystal meth a very bad candidate for a smart drug.
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DragonChaser
Ice in Her Ass and Pussy
Registered: 04/27/06
Posts: 1,935
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Re: Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'? [Re: DrOli]
#8338704 - 04/28/08 06:29 PM (4 months, 6 days ago) |
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I mean, isn't meth available for prescription under the brand name Desoxyn?
I think the act of smoking it, poor hygiene and poor nutrition as well as poor health care often contribute to the physical appearance as well as mental health of meth heads. I mean sure, we all know the appearance of the typical methhead all sored-out and disgusting... but what about that video someone posted, of those guys who camp in the national forest and do meth? They seem pretty healthy.
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Sarcasm - stating the opposite of an intended meaning especially in order to sneeringly, slyly, jest or mock a person, situation or thing, but poorly understood on the popular internet website The Shroomery.
TheHappieHippies said:
Here's a confession for you guys... I used to be a huge slut. Like BIG time. I allowed my body to be used by so many different men, that I probably couldn't give you an accurate estimate below 150 people.
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KrishnaDreamer
Looking forAlice...
Registered: 09/23/07
Posts: 647
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Re: Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'? [Re: DrOli]
#8338730 - 04/28/08 06:35 PM (4 months, 6 days ago) |
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Quote:
DrOli said:
There is a visible link between meth and ritalin as they both stem from the amphetamine family and it isn't hard to see how meth can increase productivity if you look at the way ritalin increases it. However ritalin is far, far less addictive, if addictive at all compared to methamphetamine. Thus making crystal meth a very bad candidate for a smart drug.
this is true. i think the article was looking in context of responsible use as opposed to abuse.
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Yossarian22
Stranger
Registered: 09/12/07
Posts: 378
Last seen: 11 days, 17 hours
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Meth has these properties, depending on how it's used. Yeah, if you go through a shitload for days on end, you're not gonna be thinking too clearly or of much use for anything. But the drug, in low and moderate doses, does improve focus, attentiveness and cognitive function. Hell, it's even prescribed for ADD just like Ritalin or Adderall. Binging is extremely destructive, it is addictive and (especially in high doses) causes brain damage, but not everyone who uses amphetamine-like stimulants is going to be that kind of user. There's usually a big difference between popular portrayal of a drug and the reality, and meth is currently "drug menace number 1". Of course the truth is more subtle: this is the drug used by methheads featured on COPS but it's also (nearly identical to) the drug used by Andy Warhol, Jacques Derrida and Allen Ginsberg.
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Deebard420
"Bostons Finest"
Registered: 03/15/08
Posts: 128
Loc: Medicine Cabinet
Last seen: 1 month, 18 days
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using methamphetamine in perscription form in the right dosage(Not abusing) could be used as a shorterm smart drug...Definetly not longterm as you can see with that pic of that tweaker skank.
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 Coaster
ChemicalResearcher
Registered: 05/22/06
Posts: 11,397
Loc: La La Land
Last seen: 30 seconds
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Re: Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'? [Re: Deebard420]
#8338842 - 04/28/08 06:55 PM (4 months, 6 days ago) |
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meth is just as productive as adderall
and even moreso, when used responsibly
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jeverden
Mushroom Hunter
Registered: 05/10/06
Posts: 1,082
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Re: Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'? [Re: Coaster]
#8339203 - 04/28/08 08:20 PM (4 months, 6 days ago) |
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I held a 4.0 every term I was doing meth. My house was spotless, I got a lot of interesting program projects completed, did some artistic graphic art work that sold and many other numerous things. The paronia was the one thing I couldn't stand. Not that I didn't have good reason to be paroniod, a cook was delivering my shit. My house was eventually searched but nothing was found, mainly because I cleaned very well and made sure to dispose of everything. I did have some bad effects and didn't look the healthiest. Nothing like in the pictures, these people are extreme addicts or the pictures are made up. My friend that did 5 grams everyday and cooked a batch ever other day didn't look anything like that.
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All of my posts are purely fictional and for hypothetical purposes.
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grymmtymm
lostinthought
Registered: 03/29/08
Posts: 451
Loc: midwest, unfortunately
Last seen: 1 day, 15 hours
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Re: Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'? [Re: sherm]
#8339221 - 04/28/08 08:25 PM (4 months, 6 days ago) |
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Quote:
sherm said:
oh yea
all the tweakers i know are way more productive
it helps them pick scabs / make new ones
helps them steal more shit too
and they make new crack pipes all the time
im not saying its not possible to use it in a productive way
but this sounds like bullshit
people making excuses
lol, exactly, pick scabs/make new ones
like the scab on society that they are.....
and all my tweaker friends ask me why i eat mushrooms but don't do meth.....curious....
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wildchild68
Fifth Dimension
Registered: 11/19/07
Posts: 1,269
Last seen: 7 hours, 1 minute
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Re: Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'? [Re: sherm]
#8339223 - 04/28/08 08:25 PM (4 months, 6 days ago) |
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Quote:
sherm said:
oh yea
all the tweakers i know are way more productive
it helps them pick scabs / make new ones
helps them steal more shit too
and they make new crack pipes all the time
im not saying its not possible to use it in a productive way
but this sounds like bullshit
people making excuses
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Irieforester
Head to toe inH2O
Registered: 03/10/08
Posts: 293
Loc: That state seperating fro...
Last seen: 1 day, 21 hours
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Re: Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'? [Re: wildchild68]
#8339829 - 04/28/08 10:28 PM (4 months, 6 days ago) |
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I watched a show a couple months ago on the History channel called something like "Meth: The All-American Drug", and it chronicled the inception and eventual widespread use of meth throughout the country, from their start as inhalers, and eventually to people dropping little meth-soaked cotton balls in their coffee to get their fix faster.
But it's emphasis on obsessive cleanliness and extreme productivity does make it the all-American drug
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I am still and forever learning
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astronaut
manual labor advocate
Registered: 09/11/07
Posts: 556
Loc: Oregon
Last seen: 14 minutes, 28 seconds
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Re: Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'? [Re: PreyToGod]
#8340290 - 04/28/08 11:51 PM (4 months, 6 days ago) |
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Quote:
PreyToGod said:
Totally ignroing the obvious physical side effects and the horrible impact it has on your hygiene and appearence, has this guy never seen anyone all tweaked out? It is not pretty. If by smart you mean motivated to follow meticulous instructions by the inability to sit still then we may be on to something.
Meth doesn't like, destroy your ability to take care of yourself... those people are as fuck ugly as they are, not because of the drug, but because they stopped brushing their teeth. You are entirely in control of your body (and you do know what's good for it as much as you do when sober), so if they're picking sores in their skin, it's because they've chosen to not give a damn about their body -- again, not because of the drug.
And you clearly don't understand uppers if you think that the reason why people accomplish things on them is that they can't sit still.
Meth is a perfectly legitimate drugs, that's getting a bad rap because of the [already filthy and unstable] bums that are among it's population of users.
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In another Time's Forgotten Space, your Eyes looked through your Mother's Face.
Wildflower Seed on the Sand and Stone, may the Four Winds blow you Safely Home!
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Techno_Raver
Super Mario Bro
Registered: 05/05/06
Posts: 256
Loc: The Mushroom Kingdom
Last seen: 3 days, 21 hours
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Re: Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'? [Re: astronaut]
#8340325 - 04/28/08 11:58 PM (4 months, 6 days ago) |
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The really hard-core meth addicts don't eat and don't sleep, because they aren't hungry or sleepy, and that has a huge impact on their health and appearance. They stay up for days and get high. But, I could see how meth could be used to increase your performance.
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Disclaimer: I cannot be held responsible for anything I say or do. If any of it is illegal, it is to be considered "Total Bullshit!"
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pabloescabar
Stranger thanyou
Registered: 05/02/07
Posts: 383
Last seen: 8 hours, 55 minutes
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Why is it that when it comes to the governments lies about weed we call bull shit? And when the same crazy reefer maddness thing happens, only tweaker madness this time around, only some call bull shit? Everyone else must just assume that the government wouldn't lie about meth. Not saying everything they say about it is wrong, but seriously showing that tweaker lady is like reefer madness all over again. Propaganda, thats all that lady is, I must have to assume the dea has never heard of photoshop too I guess.
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johnm214
Registered: 05/31/07
Posts: 6,009
Loc: Americas
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Re: Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'? [Re: JRayV]
#8340488 - 04/29/08 12:40 AM (4 months, 6 days ago) |
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Quote:
JRayV said:
Crystal methamphetamine is far from a "smart drug". It is either injected, smoked, or taken orally in the form of E. Though there are alot of people who self-medicate with the drug, it is still unacceptable considering there are safer, more effective legal alternatives.
Racemic methamphetamine has no recognized medicinal value as of now, but when the isomers are separated, you get 2 different very effective drugs for completely different purposes.
this is bullshit
and what are the more effective legal alternatives?
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Madtowntripper
Sumbeams From Cucumbers
Registered: 03/06/03
Posts: 12,415
Last seen: 4 seconds
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Re: Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'? [Re: veggie]
#8340546 - 04/29/08 12:57 AM (4 months, 6 days ago) |
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I won't hazard on whether or not makes a person more intelligent, but I'm smart already and crank certainly got me through some tough academic times in my first few years of college.
In fact, I would say that methamphetamine is solely responsible for me passing my statistical data analysis class.
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Poid
Trainer
Registered: 02/04/08
Posts: 210
Loc: California, USA
Last seen: 1 day, 28 minutes
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Re: Is Meth a 'Smart Drug'? [Re: sherm]
#8340902 - 04/29/08 03:28 AM (4 months, 6 days ago) |
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Quote:
sherm said:
oh yea
all the tweakers i know are way more productive
it helps them pick scabs / make new ones
helps them steal more shit too
and they make new crack pipes all the time
im not saying its not possible to use it in a productive way
but this sounds like bullshit
people making excuses
This is the stupidest bullshit response to anything I've ever heard. You're such a fucking asshole to be putting down the type of people you described above, and even more of a fucking retard to think that ALL people who use meth are EXACTLY the same. I bet you think all black people, Mexicans, Chinese, and other such races are EXACTLY identical to each other, huh? If you don't, or can't, understand that anything in excess can lead to negative consequences, then I almost feel bad for you.
You can use ANY drug without having to experience negative consequences. But meth is a POWERFUL POTENT substance, not to be played around with like a toy. Use it excessively, then the result is obvious; you end up like that old, miserable lady in the picture above. Use it sparingly in low doses, then the result is also obvious; the result is a burst of energy and mental clarity and a general improvement of mood.
Now, to all you children who are still brainwashed from the Drug Ed classes you took in 7th grade, what is wrong with that?
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