KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Numbers from the Knox County forensic center show meth is the second most popular drug in the area, following closely behind fentanyl.

Leaders at Metro Drug Coalition are raising awareness about why the drug is so magnetic to users. Meth is a stimulant — just like caffeine.

Advocates said meth can be more addictive and powerful than other drugs. One big reason is because of how strongly the drug hits the brain's dopamine receptors.

MDC explains that a cup of coffee can increase a person's dopamine level by 60% to 70% However, meth can increase a user's dopamine level by to 300% or 400%.

"Which is a level of dopamine our body can not handle," Elle Peeples, with MDC, said.

Advocates said that after meth leaves the body's systems, there's a dopamine crash.

This can

See Full Page