What Is Crystal Meth (Methamphetamine)?

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Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 17 Feb 2012 - 0:00 PST


Crystal meth, also known as crystal methamphetamine, and informally as ice, tina, or glass, is a colorless form of d-methamphetamine, a powerful synthetic stimulant which is highly addictive. This odorless substance is abused because it has a long-lasting euphoric effect on the user. Crystal meth is generally purer than powdered methamphetamine, and has a longer-lasting effect, as well as a more powerful physiological impact.

Crystal meth resembles shiny blue-white "rocks" or fragments of glass of varying sizes, hence its name.

Put simply: The chemical n-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-2-amine (C₁₀H₁₅N) is known as methamphetamine - and in its crystalline form it is known as "meth".

According to the NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse), methamphetamine (meth) is a stimulant drug that affects the nervous system; it has a similar structure to amphetamine. It has a high potential for abuse, which is why it is classified as a Schedule II drug and can only be obtained via a doctor's prescription, which cannot be refilled. Even medically, methamphetamine has limited uses - doses prescribed by doctors are considerably lower than those taken by abusers.

Who uses crystal meth?

Crystal meth tends to be used by young adults who frequent dance clubs and parties. Some people, particularly females, may take crystal meth because it can bring about rapid weight loss, even though its effects tend to be short-term; the moment you stop, most of the weight will usually come back on. Also, the body gradually becomes more tolerant to meth, so the weight loss effect becomes less.

Some people prefer crystal meth to other illicit drugs because the sense of euphoria it gives lasts up to 12 hours (depending on how it is taken), a much longer effect than, say cocaine.

There are cases of people with depression who take methamphetamine for its uplifting effect. Others, may be attracted by the increased libido and sexual pleasure often associated with this drug.

Health authorities worldwide really don't know exactly how many people take crystal meth, simply because it is illegal, so collecting reliable data is challenging. A Michigan University Study (Monitoring the Future Survey), estimated that almost 5% of high school seniors in the USA had tried crystal meth at least once, while 3% had done so during the previous 12 months.

How is crystal meth taken?

• It is most commonly smoked in glass pipes, in much the same was as crack cocaine is taken
• It may be injected
• It can also be snorted
• Some may swallow it
• The user may also insert it into his/her anus or urethra (much less common)

A glass pipe used for smoking meth

What does methamphetamine do to the body?

Methamphetamine boosts the release and stops the reuptake of dopamine, a neurotransmitter (brain chemical). This results in a build-up of dopamine in the brain - a common feature of many abused drugs.

Dopamine plays an important role in how the brain experiences and interprets pleasure, motor function, motivation and reward. The dopamine rush in the brain's reward regions gives the abuser a sense of euphoria, which is experienced soon after taking the drug.

Those who abuse methamphetamines experience considerable changes in how their brains function. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, brain imaging studies on chronic methamphetamine abusers found that their dopamine system activity had changed in such a way as to seriously undermine their verbal learning and motor skill. Recent studies also found that chronic abusers' brain areas linked to emotion and memory were severely affected structurally and functionally. This may explain why so many chronic methamphetamine abusers have emotional and cognitive difficulties.

Abusers who repeatedly take methamphetamine have a high risk of becoming addicted, especially when chemical and molecular changes occur in the brain. Some of these brain changes are still there long after the abuser has stopped. Experts say that in the majority of cases, such brain changes do reverse after long periods of abstinence (at least one year).

What are the physical and psychological effects of meth?

Below is a list of the physical and psychological effects from methamphetamine:

Physical effects of methamphetamine:

• Anorexia - lack of appetite
• Arrhythmias - abnormal heart rhythm
• Vision may become blurry
• Bradycardia - abnormally slow heartbeat
• Constipation
• Diaphoresis - profuse sweating
• Diarrhea
• Dilated Pupils
• Dizziness
• Dry Mouth
• Flushing
• Headache
• Hyperactivity
• Hypertension - raised blood pressure
• Hyperthermia - the body overheats (elevated body temperature)
• Hypotension - low blood pressure
• Insomnia - difficulty getting to sleep, or staying asleep
• Numbness
• Palpitations - sensation of pounding or racing heart
• Restlessness
• Tachycardia - abnormally rapid heartbeat
• Tachypnea - rapid breathing
• Twitching
• Tremors
• Dry skin
• Itchy skin
• Acne
• Pallor - paleness
• In chronic cases, or when doses are very high: convulsions, stroke, heart attack, and even death.

Psychological effects of methamphetamine:

• Aggressiveness
• Alertness
• Anxiety
• Concentration
• Delusions of grandiosity, sensation of power, sensation of invincibility
• Dermatillomania - compulsive skin-picking
• Hallucinations
• Increased energy
• Increased libido - enhanced sexual desire
• Increased self-esteem
• Irritability
• Psychomotor agitation (related to body movements associated with mental activity)
• Psychosomatic disorders - body symptom/ailment caused by a mental disturbance
• Self-confidence
• Sociability
• Repetitive and obsessive behaviors
• Paranoia
• When taken regularly or in high doses there may be amphetamine psychosis

What is meth mouth?

Regular meth users, as well as meth addicts have a considerable risk of losing their teeth much faster than would normally be the case, this condition is informally referred to as meth mouth.

Dr. Brian M. Schwab, a general dentist and member of the Pennsylvania Dental Association, said:

"The ill effects of methamphetamine use on the oral cavity is particularly profound. As health-care professionals, we need to think outside the box and treat not only the patient's dental needs but also address their social, psychological and emotional needs, so that an individual with addiction can access treatment.

Dentists need to be a member of the addiction-treating team, not just repairing the effects on the dentition."

According to the Pennsylvania Dental Association, "meth mouth" is caused by a combination of factors listed below:

• Methamphetamine's acid ingredients are bad for teeth. Illicit methamphetamine may include drain cleaner, ephedrine, antifreeze, lantern fuel, battery acid, and hydrochloric acid.
• Methamphetamine users commonly grind and clench their teeth
• Methamphetamine use dries up the mouth, depriving teeth of protective saliva.
• High methamphetamine users crave sugary drinks, and frequently expose their teeth to sugary acids.
• A methamphetamine "high" is long-lasting, usually up to about 12 hours. During this time users rarely practice any kind of oral hygiene.

Dr. Schwab added:

"Many people believe that methamphetamine use is isolated to the inner cities and suburbs, but the truth is that drug abuse reaches into every crevice of Pennsylvania. A dentist anywhere can and will encounter a patient who abuses methamphetamine, and we all need to be well versed in its side effects and treatment protocols."

Why is crystal meth so addictive

Crystal meth makes the user feel great, initially, and for up to 12 hours. It has a powerful physical and mental quality that causes the developing addict to rely on it more and more to feel great. However, as time passes, after several uses, the same dose does not have the same effect it did in the beginning. More is needed for the same effect, and abuser, often unwittingly, finds himself/herself sliding down a slippery slope of diminishing returns.

Gradually, areas of life, such as personal hygiene, work, family and other responsibilities become less important than obtaining that high that makes the person feel good. Higher doses have a profound effect on the brain, and the user cannot get that initial rush - the brain's ability to produce those chemical compounds that produce feelings of euphoria are weakened.

The abuser continues trying to find that feeling of pleasure and happiness which his/her brain can no longer provide. This leads to a vicious circle, in which eventually, all the crystal meth achieves is a break from withdrawal symptoms. The desire for that pleasure rush turns into a craving for some kind of stability, an addiction with progressively smaller results.

The crystal meth addict never started taking the drug knowing that it would eventually make them abandon their responsibilities. In some cases, somebody may have an emotional pain or anguish; they take crystal meth for the first time, and feel great. They may feel that the drug helps them solve their issues in life. Crystal meth is seen as a wonder drug that helps them cope and function. That perception drives the individual to use it again, and again, but little by little, meth's effects are less and less..etc.

Cystal meth withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms form crystal meth can last for days, and weeks, and even longer - the longer a person has been an addict, the longer the withdrawal symptoms will linger. Drugs can change the chemistry of the user's brain, all addictive drugs do, and crystal meth does it more than any other.

Although the drug is out of the person's system within two to three days, this does not mean the addiction or withdrawal symptoms are over. Withdrawal symptoms tend to be psychological in nature.

A person withdrawing from crystal meth may have the following symptoms:

• Agitation
• Anhedonia - absence of pleasure, or inability to experience pleasure
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Hunger - most addicts put on weight when they give up crystal meth
• Insomnia
• Moodiness
• Strong cravings for the drug

Some people may prefer to enter a drug addiction treatment program if the withdrawal symptoms are severe. Drug rehab programs may help them through the withdrawal process, as well as guiding them towards a drug-free life once the symptoms have gone. Drug rehab may involve talk therapy, exercise, nutritional guidance, and possibly vitamin supplements.

Even though the physical symptoms linked to withdrawal go away within a few days, the crystal meth addict have have bouts of emotional turmoil, as well as strong cravings for much longer.



Written by Christian Nordqvist

Original article date: 21 April 2005
Article updated: 17 February 2012
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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