Crystal Meth

Crystal meth is so commonly heard nowadays, there are even shows about it, e.g. Breaking Bad. But how far off do you know what and how crystal meth is made? I mean sure is some kind of drugs and stuff but what exactly is contained in that crystal meth that made so many people addicted to it? funny huh?

Well, let me start off with introducing to you what “Crystal Meth” is short for crystal methamphetamine, which is one form of drug methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine has different names for it, such as methylamphetamine and desoxyephedrine. In chemical formula it is known as “n-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-2-amine”. It is also known as aneurotoxin and potent psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine classes that is used to treat attention decifit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity. Thus, when methamphetamine is in a crystal line form that is when the drug is called as crystal meth. It also has other street names like ice, Tina, glass and etc.

Methamphetamine exists in 3 forms

• ·         Enantiomers
• ·         Dextrorotary
• ·         Levorotary

Methamphetamine may be sold illegally, either as pure dextromethamphetamine or in an equal parts mixture of 50% levomethaphetamine and 50% dextromethamphetamine. Similarly, the production, distribution, sales and possession of methamphetamine are restricted or illegal in many other countries due to its placement in “Schedule II” of the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances treaty.

Through survey, we can see there are many ways that people use crystal meth. They smoke it with a glass pipe or by snorting it (inhaling into the nose). For some reason, people inject it into their veins or swallow it just like how we swallow pills.

This crystal meth actually develops a strong desire to continue using it due to the false sense of happiness and satisfactions it gives to the user. It boosts confidence and hyper activeness to the user which may last for six to eight hours depending on the intake the person takes. Some may even last for twenty four hours.

However if methamphetamine is used in low doses, it may cause an elevated mood and increase alertness, concentration and energy in fatigued individuals. At higher doses, it may induce psychosis, rhabdomyolysis and cerebral hemorrhage. Methamphetamine is also know to have a high potential for abuse and addiction.

This is how crystal meth looks like once it is smashed into pieces.

This is the chemical structure of the methamphetamine.

Remember when I was taking about the show called “Breaking Bad” this series is actually about cooking pure crystal meth. 99% yield of it to be exact. Yes, 99%. It is that PURE. It is cooked by a chemistry teacher, Mr. Walter White. Now, as a normal person you might think that shows are only shows. It is nothing compared to reality. Well, sometimes it is true but for crystal meth it isn’t.

It was found that North Korea has also successfully cooked a crystal meth worth of 99% of its yield and the link below will describe about it.

Link : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2613747/Brea-KIM-bad-Crystal-Meth-North-Korea-floods-drug-markets.html

These are all about crystal meth. Hope you enjoyed reading it J. Have a great day.

References.

http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/crystalmeth.html

http://chemistry.about.com/od/medicalhealth/a/crystalmeth.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methamphetamine

I hate Cholesterol but I need it.

When I mentioned about cholesterol, what is the first thing you think of? Is it a good thing? Or it is a bad good for you? Actually, we do need it as part of our daily life but too much of it may give us harm. Without it, we would be dead, but too much of it will lead to serious health problems.

Cholesterol (C₂₇H₄₅OH) is a fatty substance that is found in our body cells. It is made by our liver, but it can also be taken in from certain foods such as meat, fish, egg and cheese. Cholesterol attached to certain proteins and travels through the bloodstream since it cannot travel lonely. This combination between cholesterol and protein is called a lipoprotein. There are two types of lipoprotein which are low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL).

Basically, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is bad cholesterol and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) is good cholesterol.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL)	Low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
·         Also known as good cholesterol ·         Helps in producing bile ·         Assist in the production on adrenal gland hormones and sex hormones ·         Helps in building and maintaining cell membranes ·         Helps to absorb vitamin A, D, E & K. ·         Insulates nerve fibers ·         Can be obtain from fish, pistachios and alcohol	·         Also known as bad cholesterol ·         Lead to heart attack ·         Clog arteries ·         Lead to stroke ·         Can be obtain from red meats, prawns,

         

Cholesterol plays an important role in our life; we will not survive if without it in our body. Without it in our bodies, we will have cells, bone structure, muscles, hormones, digestion, and brain function problems. Our cells would become flabby and fluid.

Although we need cholesterol, but we still have to control the amount of it. It is because too much of cholesterol in our body can lead to a serious health problem such as heart disease, stroke, overweight and so on.

Excessive LDL cholesterol can form plaque on artery walls; it will influence our blood circulation. Therefore, the risk of heart disease and stroke are increase. However, HDL cholesterol is considered as good cholesterol, due to it carries cholesterol to our liver so that our liver can remove the cholesterol from our body. Therefore, the risk of heart disease and stroke are decrease.

The figure below shows two different arteries, one is a clean and healthy artery while the other is narrow artery.

References:

http://www.northshorehwy61.com/bm/features/health/cholesterol-you-cant-live-without-it.shtml

http://www.zoeharcombe.com/the-knowledge/we-have-got-cholesterol-completely-wrong/

http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/guide/cholesterol-basics

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbc/printall-index.html

The Chemistry of Cosmetics

You may not realize it every morning when you wake up and shave or put on makeup, but chemistry is everywhere in your bathroom cabinet. You may not see it, but it is at the heart of the properties of cosmetic products, from long-lasting bright lipsticks to the shimmering tints of eye shadow and the anti-wrinkle effects of certain creams. It almost seems like these products are magic, but it’s all the work of chemistry. 

What Are Cosmetics?

Some people describe cosmetics as a woman’s best friend. Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odour of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, and many other types of products. A subset of cosmetics is called "make-up," which refers primarily to coloured products intended to alter one’s appearance.

Effect of organic chemicals in cosmetics on our bodies?

Most of the organic chemicals found in cosmetics are said to be good for our bodies while some of them are considered to be toxic and harmful to our bodies as well as the environment.  However, damage to our bodies can also be caused by the prolonged usage of cosmetics. The table below shows some group of chemicals mostly found in cosmetics, their uses and their side effects.

Organic chemicals	Uses	Health hazards
1. Butyl acetate	It is used in producing nail straighteners and nail polishes	Its vapour may cause dizziness or drowsiness.  Excess usage causes the skin to  crack  and become   dry.
2.  Triclosan	Used in antibacterial soaps, deodorants and toothpastes to limit the growth of bacteria and mold.	Can affect the body’s hormone systems, especially thyroid hormones and may disrupt normal breast development.
3. Formaldehyde	Used as a disinfectant  and preservative  in a variety  of products  such as soaps, deodorant, shaving cream,  adhesive, shampoo, nail polish	It causes multiple health concerns such as cancer,  immune system damage,  genetic damage, triggering asthma and eye irritation
4. Diethanolamine  (DEA)	It is used as  emulsifiers  and foaming agents  in  products  such as shampoos, shaving creams, moisturizers, and baby  washes.	It can  acts as a carcinogen because it can be  absorbed  into the body through the skin It disrupts the hormone in the body.
5. Coal  tar	It dissolves  dead skin cells ,  it is used to control itching and scaling  in the body.	It is a human carcinogen  which could cause cancer.
6. Toulene	It is found in nail polish and hair dye, it  acts as  a solvent to improve adhesion  and add  gloss.	It causes  reproductive and developmental damage, It can be carcinogenic  and it also causes  liver and  kidney damage.
7. Lead  acetate	It  used in making toothpaste , it is also added as  an ingredient in some  lipsticks  and   men’s hair dye	Prolonged use of product causes brain damage and developmental delays even at extremely low concentration.
8. Phthalates	It is used to keep colour and scent dissolved in nail polish, perfume, hair spray and others.	Early puberty in girls, a risk factor for later-life breast cancer. Some phthalates also act as weak estrogens in cell culture systems.
9. Paraphenylenediamine	Used in various hair dyes and the ink of tattoos	Usage of products with paraphenylenediamine can lead to dermatitis, allergies

References:

http://www.breastcancerfund.org/clear-science/environmental-breast-cancer-links/cosmetics/

http://www.organicauthority.com/delicious-beauty/7-dangerous-chemicals-in-your-cosmetics.html