How Tina Affects the Body

The circulatory system includes the heart, blood, veins and arteries. Arteries pump fresh blood, oxygen, and nutrients out from the heart to the brain and body. After the fresh blood nourishes the muscles and organs, veins collect tired blood and carry it back to the heart. In order for us to feel the effects of Tina, it must pass through the blood brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a misnomer. It isn’t a barrier at all but a permeable membrane that crystal meth passes through. The route and time Tina takes to reach the BBB depends on the method taken to consume it.

Of the five ways of consuming Tina, swallowing it in pill form is the slowest and comes on the most gradually (approx. 20 -30 minutes). Injecting into a vein produces an instant high and rush. Injecting Tina takes it directly to the heart and from there it is circulated throughout the body, BBB and the brain. This takes a few seconds. With the onset of the rush, the heart beats faster and harder, and veins and arteries constrict (get skinnier). Constricted veins and arteries reduce blood flow and increase blood pressure. Blood can clot more easily to stop bleeding, and your body thinks it might be hurt.

Concerns:

• Heart beat gets out of rhythm (arrhythmia).
• High blood pressure can increase risk of heart attack.
• Risk of heart infection from injecting (endocarditis).
• Heart muscle walls thicken (Left ventricular hypertrophy) which can lead to a stroke or heart attack.

Tips:

• Do not mix other drugs that stress your heart like Erectile Drugs (e.g. Viagra™) or solvents like Poppers in combination with Tina.
• Have your heart health and blood pressure monitored by your Doctor
• Left ventricular hypertrophy can be moderated and reversed with medication and lifestyle changes. Ask your doctor.
• Practice safer slamming to reduce risks of infection.

Lungs transfer oxygen from the outside air to the bloodstream. Blood carries oxygen to every cell and tissue in the body. Cells need a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to make energy. Tina relaxes air passages and opens them up which increases the intake of oxygen so the body can fight harder or run faster.

Concerns:

• Ingredients used to cut (mix) crystal can block blood vessels in the lungs.
• Long-term use can permanently reduce the amount of air the lungs can take in.
• Smoking Tina damages the lung linings

Tips:

• Reduce other smoking (e.g. tobacco) if you are going to smoke Tina.
• Increasing aerobic exercise can repair some of the damage.

The digestive system breaks down nutrients into simpler chemicals. The body uses these chemicals for energy and to build and repair cells and tissues. Tina slows down or stops the movement of the digestive tract, which in turn slows the breakdown of food and nutrients. This allows toxins to be absorbed and build-up in the digestive system. Irregular bowel movements and an overall disruption of the digestive functions are common. Tina causes appetite and thirst to decrease.

Concerns:

• Constipation
• Cramping
• Diarrhea and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition, anorexia, and weight loss

Tips:

• Hydrate before, during and after using: more water and less caffeine, alcohol, and sugar.
• Take food breaks. Snack while using. Prepare ahead.
• Keep a food/water diary for sample days to see what, when and how much you are actually consuming.
• Track your weight.
• Supplement nutritional and gut flora imbalances. Consult a naturopath or nutritionist to see what you might be lacking.

Teeth and gums need blood to stay healthy.  Tina causes the vessels that supply blood to oral tissues to shrink.  Reduced blood supply causes tissues to break down.  With repeated shrinking, the blood vessels don’t recover and tissues die. Tina also causes dry mouth. Saliva neutralizes acids in the mouth. Less saliva means more acid. Missed brushing and flossing, common when high, means that bacteria builds up in the mouth, which cause cavities. Inflammation and infection caused by bacteria along the gum line can lead to recession which is difficult to reverse and makes teeth more susceptible to further problems.

Concerns:

• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Yellowing of teeth
• Gum inflammation and infection (gingivitis)
• Bleeding gums increase risk transmitting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia.
• Gum recession
• Tooth decay
• Tooth loss

Tips:

• Brush and floss your teeth regularly
• Use an electric toothbrush
• Use sugarless gum to stimulate saliva generation
• Use non-alcoholic mouthwash to kill bacteria (Alcohol dries the mouth lining)
• Have regular (every 6 months) cleaning sessions to monitor, minimize and treat gum infections by removing bacterial build-up (plaque).
• Monitor bleeding gums. Minimize STI transmission risk by not having oral sex when you or your partner’s gums are bleeding.
• Wait 30 minutes after flossing/brushing or until bleeding stops before engaging in oral sex
• Tend to oral health problems immediately

Along with the kidneys, the liver cleans the blood of toxins that can otherwise build up in the body. The liver breaks down Tina into simpler chemicals so they can be excreted. Each time blood circulates through the liver, it breaks down more of the drug. Tina competes with other drugs including HIV meds to get broken down in the liver.

Concerns:

• Sometimes the liver cannot break down an overload of toxic substances that can build up in the bloodstream when we use. This leads to dangerous drug interactions and stimulant overdose. Stimulant overdose can mean a sudden and dangerous increase in blood pressure and cause lack of oxygen to the brain.

Body temperature can go up to dangerous levels. Sweating (which cools the body down) sometimes does not happen in a stimulant overdose. You may see spots (due to pressure on the nerves in the eye) or pass out. Chances of heart attack, stroke, or coma go up.

• Liver stress caused by Tina and other drugs can make it difficult to process medications effectively
• Hepatitis C (HCV) stresses the liver further

Tips:

• Get tested for Hepatitis A, B, and C
• Get vaccinated for Hep A and B if you haven’t already
• Get informed about HCV and how to reduce the risks (Read more about HCV here)
• Use less and less often if you are vulnerable

Kidneys filter the blood and get rid of fluid waste through urine. Tina is filtered by and excreted through the kidneys. Kidneys balance acid levels in your body. Tina constricts blood vessels in the kidneys. With less blood flow, kidneys produce less urine. Toxic wastes get recycled back into the bloodstream.

Concerns:

• Headaches and confusion when toxic blood reaches the brain
• Concentrated (very dark) urine sits in the bladder. This can result in bladder infections. Kidneys get inflamed from the infection.

Tips:

• When using, hydrate with sport drinks and water to help balance electrolytes and acid
• After using, drink lots of water and avoid diuretics, caffeine and alcohol.
• Use the colour of your piss as a rough guide. In general, the lighter the better.