Fact Sheet: Methamphetamine Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Jenna Hawks, and Alyssa Ferrin
What Is Methamphetamine? Methamphetamine, or meth, is a powerful stimulant that speeds up the central nervous system, causing increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and how fast the body uses energy (Figure 1). Some forms of amphetamines, similar to meth, can be found in very low doses in medicines to treat health conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obesity, or sleep disorders. However, illegal meth is much stronger, more addictive, and very dangerous. Meth use can cause severe damage to the brain and body, leading to addiction, serious health problems, and potentially, death (National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA], n.d.-b).
Common Street Names for Methamphetamine
Figure 1. Shards of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, the Common Version of Crystal Meth
Methamphetamine is commonly referred to as “meth,” “speed,” Source: WikiLinuz, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. “crank,” “chalk,” “ice,” “crystal,” or “Tina” (MedlinePlus, 2016). Be aware of these terms if you are taking substances from friends or people you do not know.
How Habit-Forming or Addictive Is Methamphetamine? Methamphetamine is one of the most addictive or habit-forming substances ever created. This means that it carries a high risk of causing people to become dependent on using methamphetamine or having a substance use disorder. When a person takes meth, the brain releases a very high amount of the "feel-good" chemical called dopamine, which makes the person feel really excited and euphoric at first. However, over time, the brain gets used to these high amounts of dopamine and starts needing more and more meth just to feel normal or to avoid withdrawal symptoms like nausea, headache, and fever. This makes it especially hard to stop using meth, even when a person wants to quit (NIDA, n.d.-b; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], n.d.-b). The following table compares the addictiveness of several substances to show how meth, which can release up to 12 times the normal amount of dopamine, is the most addictive of any substance. 1