fairnymph
Ex-Bluelighter
Note: The following effects DO NOT usually apply to women taking hormonal birth control (the pill, depo provera, norplant, etc).
Does the time of the month affect how high I'll get and how much I'll hurt my brain?
Yes. When estrogen levels are high (during the late follicular stage, corresponding to days 8-13 of the menstrual cycle, where day 1 is the first day of your period), various different effects have been observed with amphetamine use. During this time (when estrogen levels are high and progesterone levels are low), more dopamine is released and less is broken down than at other times.
In research, women reported feeling more “high,” “energetic and intellectually efficient,” and “euphoric,” and liking and wanting the drug more when amphetamines were administered during this part of the cycle, as compared with other times. Similarily, cocaine is more enjoyable and potent during this time of month as well. The follicular phase in general (days 1-13) tends to be a better time for stimulant use than the luteal phase (days 14-beginning of period). The comedown is also better (milder, with fewer nasty side effects) during this part of the month.
Another benefit of stimulant use during the late follicular stage (days 8-13 of the menstrual cycle), is that as a result of elevated estrogen levels, neurotoxicity from the drugs is decreased -- i.e. it's better for you brain to get high at this time of the month, and you're more likely to have an enjoyable experience all around.
Can amphetamines affect when I get my period, and should I be worried if I stop getting my period altogether when using amphetamines?
Many recreational drugs can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, with stimulants like the amphetamines and opiates having the most influence. It is very common for a woman's period to come early, come late, or stop completely for a while, especially if the woman is usually a bit irregular or if she is thin. Stress and low body fat contribute to menstrual irregularity, and many women who use stimulants lose some weight and eat less than they might normally, which only increases the effect on the menstrual cycle.
You should NOT be worried if your period is thrown off by stimulant use, unless you have become unhealthily thin or you are abusing stimulants (using them multiple times a week). If that is the case, then it is possible that your stimulant use may make it more difficult to regain cycle regularity once you stop using.
Amphetamines have never been shown to affect fertility, however, so you certainly shouldn't be concerned about having children later. There is no reason to think that stimulant use is harmful to reproductive organs.
Written and Compiled by fairnymph on 11/18/02, for The New Bluelight
References:
White T, Justice A, de Wit H. Differential subjective effects of D-amphetamine by gender, hormone levels and menstrual cycle phase. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2002 Nov;73(4):729.
Justice AJ, De Wit H.Acute effects of d-amphetamine during the early and late follicular phases of the menstrual cycle in women. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2000 Jul;66(3):509-15.
Justice AJ, De Wit H. Acute effects of estradiol pretreatment on the response to d-amphetamine in women. Neuroendocrinology. 2000 Jan;71(1):51-9.
And the Health Q&A Forum and Archive @ www.bluelight.ru
[Edit: Fixed vB coding after upgrade - Orlando]
Does the time of the month affect how high I'll get and how much I'll hurt my brain?
Yes. When estrogen levels are high (during the late follicular stage, corresponding to days 8-13 of the menstrual cycle, where day 1 is the first day of your period), various different effects have been observed with amphetamine use. During this time (when estrogen levels are high and progesterone levels are low), more dopamine is released and less is broken down than at other times.
In research, women reported feeling more “high,” “energetic and intellectually efficient,” and “euphoric,” and liking and wanting the drug more when amphetamines were administered during this part of the cycle, as compared with other times. Similarily, cocaine is more enjoyable and potent during this time of month as well. The follicular phase in general (days 1-13) tends to be a better time for stimulant use than the luteal phase (days 14-beginning of period). The comedown is also better (milder, with fewer nasty side effects) during this part of the month.
Another benefit of stimulant use during the late follicular stage (days 8-13 of the menstrual cycle), is that as a result of elevated estrogen levels, neurotoxicity from the drugs is decreased -- i.e. it's better for you brain to get high at this time of the month, and you're more likely to have an enjoyable experience all around.
Can amphetamines affect when I get my period, and should I be worried if I stop getting my period altogether when using amphetamines?
Many recreational drugs can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, with stimulants like the amphetamines and opiates having the most influence. It is very common for a woman's period to come early, come late, or stop completely for a while, especially if the woman is usually a bit irregular or if she is thin. Stress and low body fat contribute to menstrual irregularity, and many women who use stimulants lose some weight and eat less than they might normally, which only increases the effect on the menstrual cycle.
You should NOT be worried if your period is thrown off by stimulant use, unless you have become unhealthily thin or you are abusing stimulants (using them multiple times a week). If that is the case, then it is possible that your stimulant use may make it more difficult to regain cycle regularity once you stop using.
Amphetamines have never been shown to affect fertility, however, so you certainly shouldn't be concerned about having children later. There is no reason to think that stimulant use is harmful to reproductive organs.
Written and Compiled by fairnymph on 11/18/02, for The New Bluelight
References:
White T, Justice A, de Wit H. Differential subjective effects of D-amphetamine by gender, hormone levels and menstrual cycle phase. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2002 Nov;73(4):729.
Justice AJ, De Wit H.Acute effects of d-amphetamine during the early and late follicular phases of the menstrual cycle in women. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2000 Jul;66(3):509-15.
Justice AJ, De Wit H. Acute effects of estradiol pretreatment on the response to d-amphetamine in women. Neuroendocrinology. 2000 Jan;71(1):51-9.
And the Health Q&A Forum and Archive @ www.bluelight.ru
[Edit: Fixed vB coding after upgrade - Orlando]
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