Reply #37: methamphetamine is not synthetic cocaine [View All]

[NorthernSpy]

Methamphetamine and cocaine are chemically unrelated. They are both strong CNS stimulants, but they have different modes of action: cocaine briefly inhibits the reputake of dopamine, and methamphetamine triggers an enormous catecholamine release (noradrenalin and dopamine).

Methamphetamine is the more potent drug, and its duration of action is far longer than that of cocaine. Use of either drug can cause serious, even fatal harm to the cardiovascular system, and can promote psychosis and violent behavior.