Can Meth Help Fight the Flu?

An interesting study.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Could meth help fight the flu? According to a study conducted by researchers in Taiwan, the drug may have some components that help combat the flu. On Tuesday, PLoS One published a study where human lung cells were exposed to "varying quantities" of meth that were then infected with Influenza A (H1N1) viruses, which is a common subtype of influenza.

Twenty-four hours later, the control group of cells had the same concentration of the virus that meth-treated group had. After 30 hours, the meth-treated cells had a much lower concentration than the control group did. After 48 hours, the difference was even more obvious. According to researchers, meth's anti-viral effect happens during the viral replication that happens following infection.

Now, before you get cookin', remember that meth's negative effects far outweigh its positives.

[via The Huffington Post]

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