A new study, released this week by researchers at the University of Montana, found that small amounts of the drug methamphetamine appear to lessen the damage caused by strokes in the brains of rats and gerbils. (Methamphetamine is commonly known as speed or meth, is a stimulant and belongs to the amphetamine drug family.)

Researchers had expected the drug to increase stroke damage, which it did at higher doses, but found that lower doses appeared to protect the brain from damage for up to 16 hours after a stroke. Further studies are needed to find out how it prevents damage or if it may have a similar effect on humans.

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