Crystal Meth Effects

Crystal meth effects can be severe in the short-term as well as long-term. The effects of crystal meth use in the short-term include mood changes such as euphoria, anxiety and depression.

Crystal Meth User

Over the long-term, effects can include a whole range of psychological symptoms including chronic fatigue, paranoia, delusional thinking, hallucinations and psychosis.

Besides mood changes and psychological deterioration, meth effects can be noted in one's physical wellbeing as well. Some of the physical effects of using methamphetamines in crystallized form include such symptoms as blurred vision, heart palpitations and extended vigilance and wakefulness. Long-term use of methamphetamines can cause brain damage and damage to the liver and lungs as well.

Other physical effects include "Meth Mouth," suppressed appetite, sleep disturbance, increased blood pressure and in some cases, tremors and convulsions. Strokes, coma and even death (due to spikes in high blood pressure and heart failure) and are some of the other long-term effects of crystal meth abuse.

Meth Mouth

Other effects occur in a person's judgment. Automobile accidents and heavy machinery accidents are common to users who exercise poor judgment while on the drug. Erratic and violent behavior has been noted as effects of meth use among some users.

Effects can be seen at the most microscopic of levels as it affects the human body's neurotransmitters. Both dopamine and norepinephrine are jolted into play in order to activate increased arousal in the methamphetamine user. The effects of smoking crystal meth can last for two to 20 hours, depending upon the dosage taken and the person's metabolism.

Crystal meth comes in chunks that look like ice and is most often smoked, though it is sometimes snorted or injected as well. In fact, one of the slang terms for crystal meth is Ice, along with Speed, Crystal, Crank, Glass, Black Beauties, Uppers, Go-Fast and Tweak.

Crystal meth is usually made in labs using toxic household and off-the-shelf pharmaceutical substances that when combined, can easily explode and poison surrounding soil and groundwater. Crystal meth users will sometimes joke about smoking a combination of laundry soap and lighter fluid.