Crystal Meth
Crystal meth, also called methamphetamine, meth, ice, or crystal, is an extremely powerful and highly addictive synthetic stimulant. It accelerates activity in the central nervous system and causes a large release of dopamine, a brain chemical involved in motivation, movement, pleasure, and reward.
It is a powerful and highly addictive synthetic stimulant. Often appearing as clear or white crystals, it may create a feeling of energy, confidence, and alertness—but the risks can be severe and long-lasting.
Methamphetamine{{cite web |url = http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/methamphetamine |title = Methamphetamine |date = 8 January 2015 |website = Drug profiles |publisher = [[European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction]] (EMCDDA) |access-date = 27 November 2018 |quote = The term metamfetamine (the International Non-Proprietary Name: INN) strictly relates to the specific enantiomer (S)-N,α-dimethylbenzeneethanamine. |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160415220149/http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/methamphetamine |archive-date = 15 April 2016 |url-status = live }}{{cite web |title = Methamphetamine: Identification | url = http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB01577#identification |work = DrugBank |publisher = University of Alberta |date = 8 February 2013 |access-date = 1 January 2014 |archive-date = 28 December 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151228164940/http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB01577#identification |url-status = live }}{{cite web |url = http://addictionlibrary.org/prescription/methedrine.html |title = Methedrine (methamphetamine hydrochloride): Uses, Symptoms, Signs and Addiction Treatment |newspaper = Addictionlibrary.org |access-date = 16 January 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045442/http://addictionlibrary.org/prescription/methedrine.html |archive-date = 4 March 2016 |url-status = live }} Common slang names for methamphetamine include: '''meth''', '''speed''', '''crank''', and '''shabu''' (also '''sabu''' and '''shabu-shabu''') in Indonesia and the Philippines,{{Cite web |work=Detik News |title=Polisi Tangkap Bandar Shabu-shabu |url=https://news.detik.com/berita/d-356478/polisi-tangkap-bandar-shabu-shabu |access-date=29 July 2023 |language=id-ID |archive-date=29 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729143513/https://news.detik.com/berita/d-356478/polisi-tangkap-bandar-shabu-shabu |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=P1-M shabu seized from 3 drug pushers |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/7/26/p1-m-shabu-seized-from-3-drug-pushers |access-date=29 July 2023 |website=Manila Bulletin |date=26 July 2023 |language=en}}{{Cite web |work=ANTARA News Agency |title=Jadi pengedar sabu seorang IRT di Pidoli Dolok ditangkap Polisi – ANTARA News Sumatera Utara |url=https://sumut.antaranews.com/berita/538872/jadi-pengedar-sabu-seorang-irt-di-pidoli-dolok-ditangkap-polisi |access-date=29 July 2023 |archive-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922021108/https://sumut.antaranews.com/berita/538872/jadi-pengedar-sabu-seorang-irt-di-pidoli-dolok-ditangkap-polisi |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |vauthors=Marantal RD |title=E-bike driver nabbed in drug bust, shabu worth almost P1 million seized |url=https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2023/06/02/2270858/e-bike-driver-nabbed-drug-bust-shabu-worth-almost-p1-million-seized |access-date=29 July 2023 |website=Philstar.com |archive-date=29 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729143513/https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2023/06/02/2270858/e-bike-driver-nabbed-drug-bust-shabu-worth-almost-p1-million-seized |url-status=live }} and for the hydrochloride '''crystal''', '''crystal meth''', '''glass''', '''shards''', and '''ice''',{{cite web |title = Meth Slang Names |url = http://www.methhelponline.com/meth-slang.htm |website = MethhelpOnline |access-date =
24 February 2026 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131207185806/http://www.methhelponline.com/meth-slang.htm |archive-date = 7 December 2013 |url-status = dead }} '''Tina''',{{cite web |title = Methamphetamine |url = https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/methamphetamine |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220606183458/https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/methamphetamine |archive-date = 6 June 2022 |website = National Institute of Drug Abuse |date = 20 November 2024 |access-date = 8 February 2025}} and, in New Zealand, '''P'''.{{cite web |url = http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/drugs-and-alcohol/methamphetamine-and-law |title = Methamphetamine and the law |access-date = 30 December 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150128175632/http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/drugs-and-alcohol/methamphetamine-and-law |archive-date = 28 January 2015 |url-status = live }}“},”2”:{“wt”:” group=”note” “}},”i”:0}}]}”> is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is primarily used as a recreational or performance-enhancing drug and less commonly as a second-line treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).[25] It has also been researched as a potential treatment for traumatic brain injury.[7] Methamphetamine was discovered in 1893 and exists as two enantiomers: levo-methamphetamine and dextro-methamphetamine.Levomethamphetamine and dextromethamphetamine are also known as {{nowrap|L-methamphetamine}}, {{nowrap|(''R'')-methamphetamine}}, or levmetamfetamine ([[International Nonproprietary Name]] [INN]) and {{nowrap|D-methamphetamine}}, {{nowrap|(''S'')-methamphetamine}}, or metamfetamine ([[International Nonproprietary Name|INN]]), respectively.{{cite web | title=Levomethamphetamine | url=https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/36604 | work=Pubchem Compound | publisher=National Center for Biotechnology Information | access-date=27 November 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006215922/http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=36604 | archive-date=6 October 2014 | url-status=live }}“},”2”:{“wt”:”group=”note””}},”i”:0}}]}”>[note 2] Methamphetamine properly refers to a specific chemical substance, the racemic free base, which is an equal mixture of levomethamphetamine and dextromethamphetamine in their pure amine forms, but the hydrochloride salt, commonly called crystal meth, is widely used. Crystal Meth is rarely prescribed over concerns involving its potential for misuse as an aphrodisiac and euphoriant, among other concerns, as well as the availability of other drugs with comparable effects and treatment efficacy such as dextroamphetamine and lisdexamfetamine.[25] While pharmaceutical formulations of methamphetamine in the United States are labeled as methamphetamine hydrochloride, they contain dextromethamphetamine as the active ingredient.[25]“},”2”:{“wt”:”name=”D-meth FDA label””},”3″:{“wt”:”group=”note””}},”i”:0}}]}”>[note 3] Dextromethamphetamine is a stronger CNS stimulant than levomethamphetamine.[25]
Both racemic methamphetamine and dextromethamphetamine are illicitly trafficked and sold owing to their potential for recreational use and ease of manufacture. The highest prevalence of illegal methamphetamine use occurs in parts of Asia and Oceania, and in the United States, where racemic methamphetamine and dextromethamphetamine are classified as Schedule II controlled substances. Levomethamphetamine is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug for use as an inhaled nasal decongestant in the United States and is seldom abused.[28]{{cite web |title = Code of Federal Regulations Title 21: Subchapter D – Drugs for human use, Part 341 – cold, cough, allergy, bronchodilator, and antiasthmatic drug products for over-the-counter human use | url = https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=341.80 |website = United States Food and Drug Administration |date = April 2015 |quote = Topical nasal decongestants –(i) For products containing levmetamfetamine identified in 341.20(b)(1) when used in an inhalant dosage form. The product delivers in every 800 milliliters of air 0.04 to 0.150 milligrams of levmetamfetamine. |access-date = 7 March 2016 |archive-date = 25 December 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191225081836/https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=341.80 }}{{cite web |title = Levomethamphetamine: Identification | url = https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/36604 |work = Pubchem Compound |publisher = National Center for Biotechnology Information |access-date = 4 September 2017 |archive-date = 6 October 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141006215922/http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=36604#section=Identification |url-status = live }}“},”2”:{“wt”:”name=”OTC levmetamfetamine””},”3″:{“wt”:”group=”note””}},”i”:0}}]}”>[note 4] Internationally, the production, distribution, sale, and possession of methamphetamine is restricted or banned in many countries, owing to its placement in schedule II of the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances treaty. While dextromethamphetamine is a more potent drug, racemic methamphetamine is illicitly produced more often, owing to the relative ease of synthesis and regulatory limits of chemical precursor availability.
The effects of Crystal Meth are nearly identical to other substituted amphetamines.[31] In low to moderate and therapeutic doses (5–25 mg orally),[27] Crystal Meth produces typical SNDRA effects and may elevate mood, increase alertness, concentration, and energy, reduce appetite, and promote weight loss. In overdose or during extended binges, it may induce psychosis, breakdown of skeletal muscle, seizures, and bleeding in the brain. Chronic high-dose use can precipitate unpredictable and rapid mood swings, stimulant psychosis (e.g., paranoia, hallucinations, delirium, and delusions), and aggression. Recreationally, methamphetamine’s ability to increase energy has been reported to lift mood and increase sexual desire to such an extent that users are able to engage in sexual activity continuously for several days while binging the drug.[32] Methamphetamine is known to possess a high abuse liability (a high likelihood that extratherapeutic use will lead to compulsive drug use) and high psychological dependence liability (a high likelihood that withdrawal symptoms will occur when methamphetamine use ceases). Discontinuing methamphetamine after heavy use may lead to a post-acute-withdrawal syndrome, which can persist for months beyond the typical withdrawal period. At high doses, like other substituted amphetamines, methamphetamine is neurotoxic to human midbrain dopaminergic neurons and, to a lesser extent, serotonergic neurons.[33][34][31] Methamphetamine neurotoxicity causes adverse changes in brain structure and function, such as reductions in grey matter volume in several brain regions, as well as adverse changes in markers of metabolic integrity.[34]
