Effects of methamphetamine

 

Immediately after smoking the drug or injecting it intravenously, the user experiences a feeling of intense pleasure or "rush" which lasts for a few minutes.  Snorting or swallowing the drug produces an euphoric feeling, but not a rush, and produces effects within 15-20 minutes.

The pleasurable rush disappears quickly, but other effects may last between 8 to 24 hours or longer and include:

• Increased alertness, sense of wellbeing
• Hallucinations, paranoia
• Aggressive/violent behaviour
• Increased heart rate, convulsions
• Convulsions
• Extreme rise in body temperature (as high as 42.2°C/108°F, which can cause brain damage and death)
• Uncontrollable movements (twitching, jerking, grinding of teeth, etc)
• Mood swings, insomnia, loss of appetite
• Impaired speech
• Dry, itchy skin, acne, sores
• Numbness

Methamphetamine causes a severe crash after the effects wear off, which is more intense and longer lasting than both amphetamine sulphate and cocaine.  These negative effects (eg mood swings, paranoia, restlessness) will increase as the person 'comes down' from the high.  This can last for days, or weeks if the person has been using for some time.  The person may want to use again in order to stop these feelings.

Long-term Effects

• Violent, aggressive behaviour
• Auditory hallucinations ("hearing voices")
• Behaviour resembling paranoid schizophrenia
• Permanent psychological problems, eg long-term depression
• Decreased social life, preoccupation with drug use
• Personal and social problems, such as family arguments and problems at work or school
• Poor coping abilities, disorganised lifestyle
• Insomnia
• Weight loss, malnutrition
• Lowered resistance to illness
• Liver damage
• Fatal kidney and lung disorders
• Brain damage
• Stroke
• Death