Methamphetamine
(Meth): A potent psychostimulant drug
and neurotoxin. In low doses can cause elevated mood and energy.
While it has limited use as a legitimate pharmaceutical,
methamphetamine
has become a popular, addictive, and illegal recreational drug.
'Meth' is a contraction of 'methamphetamine',
which itself is contraction of its IUPACname,
N-methyl-alpha-methylphenethylamine.
The two enantiomers
of methamphetamine
differ in their potency. Both are central nervous system
stimulants; the (S)-(+)
enantiomer
is more potent than the (R)-(-)
enantiomer.
