Stimulants
Cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription amphetamines, MDMA, and cathinones — substances that elevate dopamine and norepinephrine.
Latest reporting
Relationship between attentional bias and psychological craving in methamphetamine use disorder
There's no FDA-approved medication for methamphetamine addiction. A dual-target TMS trial enrolling in 2026 targets the MPFC and DPFC simultaneously — the two brain regions most compromised by chronic stimulant use. Here's the science behind the approach.
Two Kinds of Wanting: How Methamphetamine Craving Actually Works in the Brain
A new study distinguishes withdrawal craving from cue-induced craving in methamphetamine use disorder, finding different relationships to attentional bias and different treatment implications.
The Best Treatment for Meth Is $225 a Month in Gift Cards. The Federal Limit Is $75.
There are no FDA-approved medications for methamphetamine use disorder. There are none for cocaine use disorder. Almost 40 years of pharmaceutical research has not produced a pill or injection that re
Through eight lenses
Science
Monoamine release/reuptake (DA, NE, serotonin) — cocaine blocks; meth releases.
Biology
Hyperthermia, cardiac strain, neurotoxicity (dopamine terminals with chronic high-dose meth), dental effects ("meth mouth" from dry-mouth + acidic diet, not the drug directly).
The Drug Killing More Americans Every Year Has No Approved Medication. The One Thing That Works Is Funded in Five States.
Jun 11A 60-cent antidepressant just produced the first credible pharmacotherapy signal for methamphetamine use disorder
May 21Stimulants in 2026: Meth, Cocaine, and the Prescription Shadow
May 8
Psychology
The "euphoria gap" after the acute phase, stimulant psychosis in heavy meth use, ADHD/stimulant diagnosis intersection.
Two Kinds of Wanting: How Methamphetamine Craving Actually Works in the Brain
Jun 14The Best Treatment for Meth Is $225 a Month in Gift Cards. The Federal Limit Is $75.
Jun 12The Drug Killing More Americans Every Year Has No Approved Medication. The One Thing That Works Is Funded in Five States.
Jun 11
Policy
Schedule II (meth, cocaine, Rx stimulants); DEA production quotas; Adderall shortage backstory.
Trends
Stimulant-involved deaths hit 57,500 in 2022, ~70% co-involving fentanyl — the fourth wave.
Treatment
NO FDA-approved medication for stimulant UD; contingency management has the strongest evidence (RCTs 2–4× retention); CBT, community reinforcement, matrix model.
Relationship between attentional bias and psychological craving in methamphetamine use disorder
Jun 15The Best Treatment for Meth Is $225 a Month in Gift Cards. The Federal Limit Is $75.
Jun 12Gift Cards, Urinalysis, and the Only Proven Tool for Meth: Why Contingency Management Is Finally Getting Its Due
Jun 11
Harm Reduction
Sleep, hydration, avoiding mixing with depressants, safer-use supplies, drug checking.
The Best Treatment for Meth Is $225 a Month in Gift Cards. The Federal Limit Is $75.
Jun 12Gift Cards, Urinalysis, and the Only Proven Tool for Meth: Why Contingency Management Is Finally Getting Its Due
Jun 11The Drug Killing More Americans Every Year Has No Approved Medication. The One Thing That Works Is Funded in Five States.
Jun 11