Comparison of Cocaine and Methamphetamines
Both cocaine and methamphetamine
are psychostimulants that cause an
accumulation of synaptic dopamine. Excess dopamine produces CNS stimulation,
feelings of pleasure and euphoria. While they have similar behavioral and
psychological effects, their mechanisms of action, metabolism and
length
of
effect
differ.
Smoked Cocaine |
Smoked Methamphetamine |
| Plant derived product | Synthetic |
| Effect lasts 20-30 minutes | Effect lasts up to 24 hrs |
| Blocks re-uptake of synaptic dopamine. | Causes vesicular release of dopamine and reverses the re-uptake mechanism. |
| 50% drug cleared in 1 hr | 50% drug cleared in 12 hrs |
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