What is methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine (meth, speed, chalk, ice, glass) is a highly addictive manufactured stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. It’s a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol. The drug was originally developed early last century to be used in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers. Although most methamphetamine is produced in “superlabs” outside of the United States, it is sometimes made with inexpensive over-the-counter ingredients in small, illegal home labs. The process of making methamphetamine takes about 48 hours and can be dangerous. Heating the solution produces toxic fumes and carries the risk of explosion, possibly resulting in burns or other serious health implications, including death.

How is methamphetamine used?

Methamphetamine can be taken orally, snorted, injected, or smoked. Methods of methamphetamines use vary by geographical region and have changed over time. Methamphetamine alters the user’s mood in different ways, depending on how it is taken. If smoking or injecting intravenously, the user experiences an intense rush that lasts only a few minutes and is described as extremely pleasurable. Snorting produces effects within 3 to 5 minutes and oral ingestion produces effects within 15 to 20 minutes; both create the feeling of euphoria, without the “rush” felt by smoking or injecting.

Why do people take methamphetamines?

Methamphetamines gives the user a feeling of euphoria and enhances mood by releasing very high levels of dopamine. Some people use it to stay awake for long periods of time. Compared with stimulant drugs, such as cocaine, the effects of methamphetamine last longer because a larger amount of the drug remains present in the brain longer. And compared to other street drugs, methamphetamine tends to be less costly. As with other stimulants, methamphetamine is most often used in a “binge and crash” pattern. Because the pleasurable effects of methamphetamine disappear even before levels in the blood fall significantly, users try to maintain the high by taking more of the drug. Some people are prescribed methamphetamine for the treatment of narcolepsy or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, these are limited uses and the doses are much lower than doses that are typically used illegally.

Are there short-term dangers of taking methamphetamines?

Methamphetamine can alter judgment and lower inhibitions, and lead users to engage in unsafe behaviors. Because methamphetamines use can increase libido, it has become associated with risky sexual behavior. At low doses, methamphetamines blocks dopamine re-uptake, while increasing the release of dopamine, which can be toxic to nerve terminals. It’s believed that this may lead to problems with movement, similar to those of Parkinson’s disease (muscle rigidity, tremors, and a slowing of physical movement).

Even when taken in small amounts, methamphetamine can result in

increased wakefulness
increased physical activity
decreased appetite
confusion
increased respiration
rapid heart rate
irregular heartbeat
increased blood pressure
hyperthermia (heat stroke)

Other effects of methamphetamines abuse may include irritability, anxiety, insomnia, confusion, tremors, convulsions, heart attack and death.

Are there long-term consequences to taking methamphetamines?

As use continues, tolerance for the drug will increase. This means that users will need to take more of the drug more frequently to obtain the desired effects. Withdrawal symptoms include depression, anxiety, fatigue, and an intense craving for the drug.

Long-term use can lead to psychotic conditions, including paranoia, auditory or visual hallucinations, and delusions. These symptoms can last for months to years after methamphetamine use has stopped. For people with HIV, methamphetamine abuse can worsen the progression of HIV.

Other long-term risks include:

problems with muscle rigidity and tremors
reduced motor speed and impaired verbal learning
emotional and cognitive problems
aggressiveness
extreme anorexia
memory loss
severe dental problems
increased risk of stroke

For intravenous (IV) methamphetamine users, there is increased risk of hepatitis or HIV infection, and endocarditis (inflammation of the inner layer of the heart).
Some, but not all, of the effects of methamphetamine use have been shown to be reversible. One study showed an association with abstaining from methamphetamine use and improved performance on motor and verbal memory tests. However, function in other affected areas of the brain did not show improvement, even after 2 years of abstinence, indicating that some methamphetamine-induced changes are long lasting.

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