Government-supported researchers evaluated the similarities of methamphetamine and cocaine
Government-supported researchers found methamphetamine and cocaine are are more alike than they are different.
Updated April 7, 2018
Methamphetamine and cocaine are often compared to each other, according to a report published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, because the drugs produce similar mood-altering effects and both have a high potential for abuse and dependence. Overall, these powerful psychostimulants are more alike than they are different.
Here are the similarities and differences found in the government report.
Methamphetamine and Cocaine Compared
METHAMPHETAMINE
COCAINE
Origins:
Methamphetamine is synthetically made.
Cocaine is plant-derived.
Methods of Use:
Methamphetamine is commonly ingested orally.
Both methamphetamine and cocaine are commonly smoked, injected intravenously, or snorted.
Euphoric Effects:
When smoked or injected intravenously, both methamphetamine and cocaine produce an intense, extremely pleasurable “rush” almost immediately, followed by euphoria, referred to as a “high.”
When snorted, both methamphetamine and cocaine produce no intense rush and take longer to produce a high; orally ingested methamphetamine produces a similar effect.
Methamphetamine’s high lasts anywhere from 8 to 24 hours, and 50 percent of the drug is removed from the body in 12 hours.
Cocaine’s high lasts anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes, and 50 percent of the drug is removed from the body in 1 hour.
Physical and
Mental Effects:
The immediate effects of both methamphetamine and cocaine can include irritability and anxiety; increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; and possible death.
Methamphetamine’s and cocaine’s short-term effects also can include increased activity, respiration, and wakefulness, and decreased appetite.
Effects of chronic abuse of either methamphetamine or cocaine can include dependence and possible stroke.
Chronic abuse of either methamphetamine or cocaine also can lead to psychotic behavior characterized by paranoia, hallucinations, mood disturbances, and violence.
Drug-craving, paranoia, and depression can occur in addicted individuals who try to stop using either methamphetamine or cocaine.
SOURCE of Data: National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health. “Comparing Methamphetamine and Cocaine.” NIDA Notes, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 1998.
Chronic abuse of either methamphetamine or cocaine produces a psychosis that resembles schizophrenia and is characterized by paranoia, picking at the skin, preoccupation with one’s own thoughts, and auditory and visual hallucinations. These psychotic symptoms can persist for months, and even years, after use of these drugs has ceased.
Chronic abuse of either methamphetamine or cocaine produces a psychosis that resembles schizophrenia.
Addiction treatment for methamphetamine and cocaine is similar (psychotherapy and antidepressants) to relieve some of the effects of withdrawal.
DEA Special Agents and chemists conduct a raid on a clandestine methamphetamine lab. To meet an ever-increasing black-market demand for the addictive psychostimulant, illegal “meth labs” have mushroomed in recent years. Large amounts of methamphetamine are also illicitly smuggled into the United States from Mexico.
Both methamphetamine and cocaine are dangerous and potentially-deadly drugs. The possession, cultivation, and distribution of these psychostimulants is illegal for non-medicinal and non-government sanctioned purposes in virtually all parts of the world.
Methamphetamine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and exogenous obesity, under the brand name Desoxyn.
“The effects of amphetamines and methamphetamine are similar to cocaine, but their onset is slower and their duration is longer.”
ABOVE:Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), US Department of Justice (DOJ). “Drug Fact Sheet: Amphetamines,” undated, retrieved 5/1/2017.
Amphetamines produce gross reductions in blood flow to the brain.
Decreased blood flow to the brain plays a major role in cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer's.
ABOVE: Breggin, PR. The Ritalin Fact Book; Perseus Books Group, 2002. Abreu BE, et al. Influence of amphetamine sulfate on cerebral metabolism and blood flow in man. J Pharm Sci, 1949;38:186–188. Lombard J, et al. The Brain Wellness Plan; Kensington Pub. Corp., 1998. Mazza M, et al. Primary cerebral blood flow deficiency and Alzheimer's disease: shadows and lights. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 2011;23(3):375-89.
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National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health. “Comparing Methamphetamine and Cocaine.” NIDA Notes, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 1998.
Drug Enforcement Administration, US Department of Justice. “Stimulants,” Drugs of Abuse Publication. National Drug Intelligence Center, 2005 ed.
Drug Enforcement Administration, US Department of Justice. “Drug Fact Sheet: Amphetamines,” undated, retrieved January 15, 2013 www.justice.gov/dea/druginfo/drug_data_sheets/Amphetamines.pdf.
Breslin, Deanna, et al. “Annotated Bibliography on
Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs,” supported by Cooperative Agreement Number 2007-CK-WX-0014, awarded by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), U.S. Department of Justice: Circle Solutions, Inc., August 2009: www.cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/Annotated-Bibiography.pdf.
Drug Enforcement Administration, US Department of Justice. “Drug Fact Sheet: Methamphetamine,” undated, retrieved January 15, 2013 www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/abuse/drug_data_sheets/methamphetamine_DrugDataSheet.pdf.
Drug Enforcement Administration, US Department of Justice. “Drug Fact Sheet: Stimulants,” undated, retrieved January 15, 2013 www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/abuse/drug_data_sheets/stimulants_DrugDataSheet.pdf.
