Crystal Meth Side Effects: How Does Meth Affect The Brain and Body?
Authored by Olivier George, Ph.D.
Reviewed by Daniel Hochman, MD
The side effects of crystal meth include increased heart rate, hyperactivity, decreased appetite, euphoria, paranoia, erratic behavior, overdose & death, dental issues, meth mouth, meth sores, prolonged mental health issues, psychosis, cognitive impairment, stimulant addiction development, changes in brain structure and function, decreased motor skills verbal learning declines, and malnutrition.
Crystal meth is a highly potent stimulant that impacts the brain by causing imbalances in the neurotransmitters. Crystal meth severely impairs the brain’s cognitive functions and leads to brain damage. The drug damages physical health by increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and organ failure. Meth is highly addictive with a high risk of misuse and has limited medical use.
The estimated rate of past-year methamphetamine use during 2015 – 2018 among adults was 6.6 per 1,000. Among adults reporting past-year methamphetamine use, an estimated 27.3% reported using on ≥200 days, 52.9% had a methamphetamine use disorder, and 22.3% injected methamphetamine, according to the research titled: “Patterns and Characteristics of Methamphetamine Use Among Adults — United States, 2015–2018” by Cristopher M.Jones.
Table Of Contents:
What are the Short-Term Side Effects of Crystal Meth?
The short-term side effects of crystal meth include increased heart rate, hyperactivity, decreased appetite, euphoria, paranoia, erratic behavior, overdose & death, insomnia, and dehydration.
The short-term side effects of crystal meth are described below.
- Increased Heart Rate: Increased heart rate occurs when crystal meth overstimulates your cardiovascular system, leading to palpitations, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of a heart attack. This boost in heart rate is temporary as it decreases when the drug wears off. Methamphetamine increases catecholamine activity in the branch of the peripheral nervous system responsible for modulating heart rate and blood pressure, according to the research titled: “Cardiotoxicity associated with methamphetamine use and signs of cardiovascular pathology among methamphetamine users” by Sharlene Kaye.
- Hyperactivity: Hyperactivity is caused due to extreme physical energy and restlessness induced by crystal meth use. Hyperactivity causes individuals to experience problems like rapid speech, constant movement, inability to relax, and severe exhaustion. This effect eventually stops within hours when meth leaves the body.
- Decreased Appetite: Decreased appetite occurs when crystal meth suppresses the hunger signals in the body by targeting the hypothalamus. This results in extreme calorie deficits as individuals spend days without eating, leading to rapid weight loss, malnutrition, and a weak immune system. The appetitie will gradually return when the individual stops meth use. Decreased appetite is an immediate effect of crystal meth according to the research titled: “Methamphetamine” by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
- Euphoria: Euphoria is experienced by crystal meth users as the drug causes an extreme flow of dopamine in the body which stimulates the brain’s reward system. The sensation of crystal meth-induced euphoria lasts for several minutes up to hours and causes a high risk of addiction and dependency. The euphoric effects disappear when dopamine levels reduce hours after the consumption of meth.
- Paranoia: Paranoia occurs as crystal meth usage causes individuals to feel as if they are being watched or threatened. It leads to absurd fears and defensive behaviors, which later cause further mental health issues. Paranoia eventually wears off after the period of intoxication ends. Methamphetamine-induced paranoia (MIP) is a short-lived phenotype that is expressed during MA intoxication and resembles other forms of stimulant-induced suspiciousness, according to the research titled: “Clinical features of methamphetamine-induced paranoia and preliminary genetic association with DBH −1021C” by Rasmon Kalayasiri.
- Erratic Behavior: Erratic behavior occurs due to the overstimulation of the brain’s emotional and cognitive centers, leading to problems like poor decision-making and unusual actions. This erratic behavior includes actions like reckless driving, financial irresponsibility, and risking personal safety. These behaviors come under control when meth eventually leaves the body.
- Overdose & Death: Overdose occurs when high doses of crystal meth enter and overwhelm an individual’s body, causing several problems like seizures, respiratory collapse, or fatal cardiac arrest. Overdose effects are extremely severe and lead to death in many cases. Overdose effects only appear during use and can wear off in a few hours. Overdose deaths involving methamphetamine nearly tripled from 2015 to 2019 among people ages 18-64 in the United States, according to the study titled: “Methamphetamine-involved overdose deaths nearly tripled between 2015 to 2019, NIH study finds” by the National Institute of Health.
- Insomnia: Insomnia occurs when the use of crystal meth disrupts sleep patterns for several days, leaving individuals in a state of extreme stress, lethargy, and exhaustion. Lack of sleep further increases various mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Once meth fully leaves the body, it is easy for individuals to fix their sleep timings normally.
- Dehydration: Dehydration occurs when crystal meth increases an individual’s body temperature to extreme levels and causes hyperthermia. This lack of hydration leads to heat stroke or kidney failure and severe cases require immediate medical intervention to prevent fatal organ damage. Drinking more water per day immediately stops dehydration and its effects.
What are the Long-term Side Effects of Crystal Meth?
The long-term side effects of crystal meth are dental issues, meth mouth, meth sores, prolonged mental health issues, psychosis, cognitive impairment, stimulant addiction development, changes in brain structure and function, decreased motor skills verbal learning declines, and malnutrition.
The long-term side effects of crystal meth are described below.
- Dental Issues: Dental issues like severe tooth decay and gum disease are common side effects of prolonged crystal meth consumption. Crystal meth constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow to oral tissues and causing further dental problems. These issues appear one after another over time and require long-term dental care. Meth use is associated with oral health problems such as bruxism, dental caries, xerostomia, dental pain, bad breath, and inflamed and bleeding gingival tissues, according to the research titled: “Methamphetamine Use and Dental Problems Among Adults Enrolled in a Program to Increase Access to Oral Health Services for People Living with HIV/AIDS” by Angela W Walter.
- Meth Mouth: Meth mouth is a severe form of dental decay common among meth users. The characteristics of a meth mouth are broken, blackened, and rotting teeth. Meth mouth mainly occurs due to dry mouth, excessive sugar cravings, and acidic properties of the drug. This issue gets worse with prolonged use and require intensive dental care.
- Meth Sores: Meth sores are skin sores caused by constant scratching or picking at imaginary bugs due to hallucinations caused by prolonged crystal meth use. These open sores on the skin develop infections over time if proper medical attention isn’t provided. Sores from meth use appear in several different areas of the body and can have various physiological or physical causes, according to the study titled: “Meth Sores” by Rob Alston.
- Prolonged Mental Health Issues: Prolonged mental health issues like stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts are caused by damage to the brain’s neurotransmitter systems due to long-term crystal meth usage. Mental health issues last even after meth wears off and some individuals have to go through years of therapy. Chronic Meth users have deficits in memory and executive functioning as well as higher rates of anxiety, depression, and most notably psychosis, according to the research titled: “Neurologic Manifestations of Chronic Methamphetamine Abuse” by Daniel E Rusyniak.
- Psychosis: Psychosis occurs when chronic meth usage causes problems like paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions. These symptoms are similar to those of schizophrenia and often don’t completely resolve even after stopping the usage of crystal meth. The symptoms of psychosis reoccur even after stopping meth, sometimes for several months and years.
- Cognitive Impairment: Cognitive impairment occurs when prolonged crystal meth usage damages the prefrontal cortex, leading to difficulty with memory, problem-solving, and decision-making. Some individuals experience a major decline in IQ levels and problems keeping attention. Cognitive impairment hardly recovers over time and often requires long-term rehabilitation.
- Stimulant Addiction Development: Stimulant addiction development occurs when crystal meth alters brain chemistry and creates an intense psychological dependency. Your brain and body crave the stimulant effects of crystal meth which disrupts daily life activities and leads to unusual behavior. Recovering from this addiction takes months of therapy, support, and struggle.
- Changes in Brain Structure and Function: Changes in brain structure and function result from the reduction of gray matter. These changes often impair memory and cause intense emotions and unusual behavior. Changes in brain structure caused by meth use are sometimes impossible to recover from, leaving permanent brain damage.
- Decreased Motor Skills: Decreased motor skills are experienced by meth users when their brain coordination becomes impaired due to chronic meth usage. An individual’s motor skills start to damage over time and can result in serious tremors if proper medical attention is not given in time. These tremors often require years of medication and therapy and also lead to movement disorders.
- Verbal Learning Declines: Verbal learning declines occur when chronic meth usage impairs an individual’s verbal memory and language processing skills. This damages their ability to learn and communicate. Verba;l impairments can last for years and affect communication and learning abilities. Methamphetamine (MA) use has been shown to be associated with deficits in impulsivity, verbal learning, and working memory, according to the research titled: “Verbal learning impairment in adolescents with methamphetamine use disorder: a cross-sectional study” by Lukas Andreas Basedow.
- Malnutrition: Malnutrition is caused by the suppression of hunger and loss of appetite due to prolonged crystal meth consumption. Malnutrition results in weak immunity, rapid weight loss, physical weakness, and fatigue. Malnutrition is a prolonged issue as it weakens the immune system and damages overall health, causing long-term physical problems that require extensive medical care. Malnutrition is on the list of major side effects of crystal meth, according to the research titled: “The Menace of Methamphetamine” by the University of Rochester Medical Center.
How Does Crystal Meth Impact the Brain and Body?
Crystal meth impacts the brain and body by causing short-term stimulation in the brain and long-term damage to neural systems and physical body parts. Crystal meth releases a high amount of dopamine in the brain which is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, causing individuals to feel euphoria. Repeated crystal meth use damages dopamine receptors and alters the brain’s reward pathways, making it difficult to feel pleasure naturally and causing emotional instability.
Crystal meth disrupts critical systems in the body by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, often causing cardiovascular strain, strokes, or organ failure. Long-term use also weakens the immune system, accelerates aging, and leads to severe malnutrition.
What Are the Social and Behavioral Side Effects of Crystal Meth?
The social and behavioral side effects of Crystal Meth are aggression, social isolation, and engagement in risky behaviors.
Meth use increases feelings of irritability and paranoia, causing individuals to act aggressively and show violent behavior. It leads to individuals getting into fights and committing self-harm.
The unusual and aggressive behavior an individual portrays due to meth use ruins their relationship with their family and friends, causing them to live in isolation and loneliness.
The stimulation effects of crystal meth lead to impulsive actions like criminal activities which further ruin the person’s social and legal status. These behaviors damage the trust and communication the individual has with people, often resulting in unemployment, financial strain, and broken relationships.
How to Handle Crystal Meth Withdrawal?
To handle Crystal Meth withdrawal symptoms, try seeking professional help, creating a supportive environment, and managing symptoms with a structured plan. Crystal meth withdrawal occurs when a person completely stops or reduces crystal meth consumption after prolonged use, so the brain and body have a hard time adjusting to it.
Crystal meth withdrawal induces many symptoms including extreme fatigue, intense cravings, depression, anxiety, and disrupted sleep patterns. Crystal meth withdrawal and detox is the initial stage of recovery from the addiction, where any remains of crystal meth are removed from the body.
What is Crystal Meth?
Crystal meth or methamphetamine is a highly addictive synthetic stimulant drug. It appears in the form of bluish-white crystals and is known for rapidly increasing dopamine levels. Crystal meth affects the central nervous system and produces intense feelings of euphoria and energy.
Is Crystal Meth Use Always Addictive?
Yes, crystal meth use is highly addictive due to its intense effects on the brain’s dopamine system. Crystal meth addiction even occurs with limited use as the feelings of euphoria and pleasure make your brain and body dependent on it.
How Long Do the Side Effects of Meth Last?
The side effects of meth typically last from a few hours for short-term effects like euphoria and increased energy, to weeks or months for withdrawal symptoms and long-term effects like cognitive impairment and emotional instability. Long-term effects, such as mental health issues, meth mouth, and meth sores require medical attention.
How is Crystal Meth Consumed?
Crystal meth is consumed in 4 different ways including smoking, snorting, injecting, or swallowing it in pill form. Each way has its different side effects and dangers of consuming. Smoking crystal meth increases the risk of lung damage, snorting causes nasal damage and nosebleeds, injecting has a higher risk of overdose, and swallowing pills leads to gastrointestinal issues.
Is Crystal Meth Dangerous?
Yes, crystal meth is dangerous due to its high potency and severe physical, psychological, and social side effects. Crystal meth produces feelings of pleasure and euphoria by targeting the brain’s reward system, leading to an increased risk of addiction and severe symptoms.
How Long Does Crystal Meth Last?
Crystal meth and its immediate effects last around 6 to 12 hours, depending on the dosage and method of consumption. Crystal meth’s impact on the brain lasts for 12-24 months and causes cravings.
Can Prolonged Meth Use Cause Meth Sores?
Yes, prolonged meth use can cause meth sores on the skin. Meth sores are caused by skin picking, poor hygiene, and the drug’s effect on the body’s ability to heal, which are all side effects of long-term crystal meth usage.
Are Crystal Meth Side Effects Similar to Other Drugs?
Yes, the side effects of crystal meth are slightly similar to other drugs, but crystal meth usually causes more intense and long-lasting effects. Both crystal meth and MDMA are stimulants that surge the dopamine levels in an individual’s body, causing euphoria, increased energy, and increased energy, and high alertness.
Unlike heroin which is a depressant that decreases heart rate and energy, crystal meth causes rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, high energy levels, and intense cravings which make it more addictive.
Do Crystal Meth and Heroin Both Cause Physical Dependence?
Yes, both crystal meth and heroin cause physical dependence. Meth is a stimulant that causes intense dopamine release and addiction. Heroin is an opioid that creates dependence through its effects on the brain’s reward system.
Do Crystal Meth and Mdma Both Increase Heart Rate and Blood Pressure?
Yes, both crystal meth and MDMA increase heart rate and blood pressure. Crystal meth is a stimulant like MDMA, and they both activate the central nervous system which increases cardiovascular activity.
Can Crystal Meth and Fentanyl Both Cause Fatal Overdoses?
Yes, both crystal meth and fentanyl cause fatal overdoses. Crystal meth and fentanyl overdoses lead to life-threatening problems like heart attack, stroke, or organ failure if medical attention is not provided on time.
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