Fish Are Getting Addicted to Meth that’s Messing With Their Brains

It is known that household chemicals in drugs, cleaners, and soaps can enter the main water streams and rivers via wastewater treatment facilities, further contaminating these sources. Now, new research discovered that large amounts of meth in waterways are getting fish addicted to this drug which is messing with their brains.

This research published in the Journal of Experimental Biology has found that this drug addiction in animals further reflects yet another instance of the pressure of urban living on natural habitats and species. According to a scientist, drug addiction bizarrely includes withdrawal and increased drive.

For this study, researchers kept some trout fish in the water with the same level of meth that is found in rivers. The fish were transferred to a new tank with freshwater eight weeks after and were offered to choose between fresh water and water contaminated with meth.

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The team discovered that the trout fish was addicted to meth water and seeks out the drug after being put into freshwater. It was concluded that even low levels of drugs can contaminate water and affect wildlife.

Image: Daily Telegraph

However, this research doesn’t indicate that all the rivers are full of addicted and neurologically affected fish. It is unclear whether it affects only the fish on surface water or even in the depths of the oceans.

But this research proves that the released chemicals from household items can have more impact on marine life and water that will eventually affect all the living beings in one way or the other.

Via: CNET