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Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.
The physical effects of Methamphetamine can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.
The cognitive effects of methamphetamine can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. The general head space of methamphetamine is described by many as one of extreme mental stimulation, increased focus, and powerful euphoria. It contains a large number of typical stimulant cognitive effects. Although negative side effects are usually mild at low to moderate dosages, they become increasingly likely to manifest themselves with higher amounts or extended usage. This particularly holds true during the offset of the experience.
These combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.
There is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.
These combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.
Methamphetamine is widely considered one of the most addictive substances due to the intense euphoria it produces. It has extremely high abuse liability with strong compulsive redosing patterns, particularly when vaporized or injected. The drug produces powerful cravings and psychological dependence develops readily with repeated use.
Physical dependence develops with regular use. Withdrawal symptoms occur in up to 87.6% of chronic high-dose users and persist for three to four weeks with a marked crash phase in the first week. Symptoms include anxiety, drug craving, dysphoric mood, fatigue, increased appetite, lack of motivation, and vivid dreams. Depression from methamphetamine withdrawal lasts longer and is more severe than that of cocaine withdrawal.
Death from methamphetamine poisoning is typically preceded by convulsions and coma. Numerous deaths related to methamphetamine overdoses have been reported.
| Species | Route | Value |
|---|---|---|
| mouse | subcutaneous | 300 mg/kg |
| rabbit | subcutaneous | 150 mg/kg |
At moderate to heavy recreational doses, methamphetamine is directly neurotoxic to dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons, causing adverse changes in brain structure and function including reductions in grey matter volume. Chronic abuse is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's disease.
Methamphetamine produces vasoconstriction, tachycardia, and hypertension, with elevated risk of stroke and heart attack. Abnormal heartbeats and irregular heart rhythms may be life-threatening. Chronic consumption is associated with brain hemorrhages and coronary atherosclerosis.
Kidney damage and fatal kidney disorders have been reported with chronic use. Kidney failure may occur in overdose situations.
Liver damage has been associated with chronic methamphetamine use.
Fatal lung disorders and pulmonary fibrosis have been associated with chronic use. Pulmonary hypertension may occur in overdose.
Heavy users may lose their teeth abnormally quickly regardless of route of administration, a condition known as meth mouth. This is caused by poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, teeth grinding, and the habit of consuming sugary beverages to relieve dry mouth symptoms.
Long-term users may develop skin sores from scratching due to itchiness or delusional parasitosis, compounded by poor diet and hygiene.
Rhabdomyolysis may occur during overdose or extended binges.
Chronic high-dose use can induce stimulant psychosis presenting with paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, and delirium. This is similar to paranoid schizophrenia and may include bizarre and violent behavior. About 5-15% of users who develop amphetamine psychosis fail to recover completely. Symptoms are magnified by sleep deprivation which commonly accompanies heavy use. Psychosis very rarely arises from therapeutic use.
Seizures are an uncommon effect but can occur in those predisposed to them, especially during physical stress such as dehydration, fatigue, or malnourishment, or with extended misuse. Death from methamphetamine poisoning is typically preceded by convulsions and coma.
The development of methamphetamine followed shortly after the creation of its parent compound. Romanian chemist Lazăr Edeleanu first synthesized amphetamine in Germany in 1887, naming it phenylisopropylamine. Six years later, Japanese chemist Nagai Nagayoshi achieved the first synthesis of…
UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 (Schedule II)
Available for medical use under Schedule 8, but possession, production, or supply without authority is illegal. Personal quantities under 1.5 grams were decriminalized in the Australian Capital Territory as of October 28, 2023.
Listed as a Class F2 prohibited psychoactive substance. Reports indicate it may sometimes be obtained with a prescription.
Controlled as a Schedule II substance under national drug legislation.
First added to the Opiumgesetz (Opium Act) on July 1, 1941. Currently controlled under Anlage II of the Betäubungsmittelgesetz (Narcotics Act) since March 1, 2008. Previously listed in Anlage III, which permitted prescription on narcotic prescription forms. Manufacturing, possession, import, export, purchase, sale, procurement, or dispensing without a license is prohibited.
Controlled under the Amphetamines Control Law of 1954. Production, distribution, and possession are illegal.
Controlled as a Class A substance, representing the most restrictive category under New Zealand's drug scheduling system.
Controlled as a Group II-P substance under Polish drug legislation.
Classified under both the 1971 UN Psychotropic Convention (List P II) and domestically under Sweden's List II. Possession, distribution, and production are prohibited.
Classified as Class A, the most restrictive category, since January 18, 2007. Illegal to buy, sell, or possess.
Prohibited under the Suchtmittelgesetz (SMG - Austrian Narcotics Act). Illegal to possess, produce, or sell.
Listed under Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act since August 2005. Previously classified as Schedule III. A 2011 Supreme Court decision established a constitutional right to access supervised injection sites under Section 7 of the Charter.
Scheduled as a stupéfiant, a recognized drug of abuse under French law. Illegal to possess, buy, sell, or manufacture.
Banned in July 2010 as part of legislation targeting four families of substances (cathinones, methcathinones, amphetamines, and methamphetamines) along with their derivatives. The framework was designed to preemptively prohibit novel analogues.
Controlled as a List I substance under the Opium Act. Possession, distribution, and production without license is illegal.
Classified as Schedule II under Norwegian drug legislation. Illegal to buy or possess without a prescription.
Banned in compliance with the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
Specifically named as a controlled substance under Verzeichnis A (Schedule A) of Swiss narcotics legislation.
Controlled under the Controlled Substances Act since 1970. Available by prescription under the trade name Desoxyn for treatment of ADHD and severe obesity, though rarely prescribed due to abuse potential. Illegal to buy, sell, or possess without a DEA license or prescription. Notably, levomethamphetamine remains available over-the-counter.
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