The effects of methamphetamine differ depending on:
- the form of the substance (pharmaceutical
or street; pills, powder or crystal)
- the method of use (swallowed, snorted, injected
or smoked)
- the amount ingested (small or larger dose)
When the crystal form of
methamphetamine is smoked or injected, it produces an immediate rush, followed by
hours of euphoria. When any form of methamphetamine is snorted, swallowed, or inserted,
it may take up to 20 minutes to take effect. Most often the feelings of pleasure
and well-being that follow last for 4 to 12 hours, but some people stay high for
much longer. This is because methamphetamine binds strongly with the pleasure receptors
in the brain.
A low dose of methamphetamine may produce the following effects: an
increase in energy, increased feelings of self confidence, heightened libido, ‘wakefulness’
and alertness, reduced appetite, and improved physical and mental performance.
The effects often diminish and change with high dose and frequent use. Effects may include:
teeth grinding/clenching, agitation, restlessness, insomnia, decrease in libido,
and a decrease in mental clarity and concentration. Other negative effects include
mild to severe tremors and athetosis (writhing, jerky, or flailing movements), hostility and paranoia.
People who use methamphetamine repeatedly often
develop tolerance to the drug. That is, they require larger and larger amounts of
the drug in order to feel its effects. Tolerance develops because the brain tries
to rebalance itself by limiting the impact of the drug. Tolerance to any drug may
lead to dependence, which is the need to continue using a substance in order to
function normally. Users of methamphetamine often state that the initial experience
of intense euphoria is rarely experienced again, resulting in repeated use to chase
the original high.
Long-term use of methamphetamine can lead to a lifestyle that
is very destructive to one’s body. The failure to provide the body with adequate
food, water, and sleep, combined with the drug’s impact on mental processes, can lead
to significant brain and organ damage.