What is a short-term effect of methamphetamine?

What is a short-term effect of methamphetamine?

• A. Increased heart rate
• B. Decreased heart rate
• C. Weight gain
• D. Improved sleep

Answer: (A)

Methamphetamine acts as a potent stimulant that increases norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain and periphery, triggering sympathetic nervous system activation. In the short term this leads to tachycardia—an increased heart rate—which is a common, immediate effect of meth use. Other typical stimulant effects include heightened alertness, energy, insomnia, and reduced appetite. By contrast, a slower heart rate would indicate opposing parasympathetic activity; rapid weight gain is not a hallmark of immediate effects, and sleep is typically disrupted, not improved, with stimulant use.

Methamphetamine acts as a potent stimulant that increases norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain and periphery, triggering sympathetic nervous system activation. In the short term this leads to tachycardia—an increased heart rate—which is a common, immediate effect of meth use. Other typical stimulant effects include heightened alertness, energy, insomnia, and reduced appetite. By contrast, a slower heart rate would indicate opposing parasympathetic activity; rapid weight gain is not a hallmark of immediate effects, and sleep is typically disrupted, not improved, with stimulant use.