Harms of crystal meth to the body and mind

13What are the short-term harms of crystal meth?

These harms appear within minutes to hours of use and can affect a person even in the first few uses, because the body goes into a state of extreme alertness:

• A racing heartbeat and high blood pressure, and an irregular heart rhythm in some people.
• A rise in body temperature that can reach dangerous levels, especially with excess movement and crowded, hot places.
• Anxiety, tension and irritability, and sudden suspicion or a panic attack may appear.
• Complete insomnia and loss of appetite for many hours, then severe exhaustion and low mood when the effect wears off.
• Teeth grinding, jaw clenching, dry mouth and heavy sweating.
• Impulsiveness and poor judgment, which raise the risk of accidents and unsafe sex.

14How does crystal meth harm the heart and blood vessels?

Crystal meth puts the heart under constant strain: it narrows the vessels and raises blood pressure and pulse at the same time, which increases the heart muscle's need for oxygen while less of it arrives. Medically documented complications include:

• Angina and heart attacks, even in young people with no previous heart disease.
• Heart rhythm disturbances that can cause fainting or sudden cardiac arrest.
• Weakening and disease of the heart muscle with chronic use, which can progress to heart failure.
• Rupture of the aorta in rare but very dangerous cases.
• Brain hemorrhage and stroke, because of the sharp rise in blood pressure and narrowing of the vessels.

15What are the harms of crystal meth to the brain and mental health?

The brain is the organ most affected by crystal meth. Repeated, intense rises in dopamine change how the reward and decision-making circuits work, and imaging studies show changes in areas responsible for emotion and memory. This shows up as:

In some people psychosis can continue or return for months or years after stopping, and it may be triggered by stress. For this reason hallucinations or suspicion after crystal meth should not be treated as a passing matter; they need a psychiatric assessment and specialist treatment, and when they occur together with addiction this is known as dual diagnosis. Read more about dual diagnosis.

16What is “meth mouth,” and what are the harms of crystal meth to teeth and skin?

“Meth mouth” is the name doctors give to the severe tooth damage seen in people who have used crystal meth for long periods. It results from several causes together: severe dry mouth, narrowing of the vessels that feed the gums, constant teeth grinding, cravings for sugary drinks, and neglected hygiene during binges. Teeth decay, break and blacken, and may fall out.

The skin is affected by tactile hallucinations that make a person feel insects under their skin, so they scratch and pick constantly until sores and wounds appear that easily become infected. Malnutrition and lack of sleep slow healing, so the person looks much older than their age.

17Harms of crystal meth to other body systems

18Harms of crystal meth to sexual health in brief

Crystal meth starts with impulsiveness, heightened desire and long nights awake, but the US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) links chronic use to declining sexual function in men and to a greater chance of transmitting HIV and viral hepatitis because of the reckless behavior that accompanies use. With psychosis, suspicion can turn into pathological jealousy and accusations against a partner that reach violence.

We explain how the first rush turns into dullness and weakness, the tests needed after any risky behavior, and what improves after stopping, on the page Shabu and Sex: The Truth Behind the “Endless Energy”.

19Can crystal meth cause acute poisoning or sudden death?

Yes. Acute stimulant poisoning is not like an opioid overdose, where breathing stops; the opposite happens: the whole body is stimulated to a dangerous degree, so pulse, blood pressure and temperature rise, agitation increases, and seizures, a clot or a fatal heart rhythm disturbance may occur.

There is no “safe” amount of crystal meth, because its purity is unknown and the response varies from person to person depending on the state of the heart, sleep, the surrounding temperature and what it was cut with. Emergency doctors handle these cases with cooling, sedation and suitable medications, which is why calling the ambulance quickly saves lives.

20How dangerous is mixing crystal meth with other substances?

Mixing crystal meth with other substances, knowingly or not, is among the things that most raise the risk of death:

• With opioids or heroin: The stimulant temporarily masks the signs of slowed breathing, and then breathing may stop once its effect wears off. Crystal meth may also be adulterated with powerful opioids such as fentanyl without the person knowing.
• With alcohol: Crystal meth masks the feeling of being drunk, so the person drinks more, with double the strain on the heart and liver.
• With other stimulants or energy drinks: The load on the heart doubles and temperature rises further.
• With some psychiatric medications: Crystal meth may interact with antidepressants and others, which is why any use should be disclosed to the doctor without fear.

21Harms of crystal meth in pregnancy and to the fetus

Use during pregnancy exposes the mother to high blood pressure and placental complications, and is linked to premature birth and low birth weight. Research indicates that children exposed to methamphetamine before birth may later have problems with growth, attention and behavior.

Most important, a pregnant woman should see a doctor immediately and be honest, because fear of blame can delay care that saves both mother and baby. Early medical care clearly improves outcomes.

22Why is crystal meth more dangerous for teens and young adults?

The brain keeps developing until roughly the mid-twenties, especially the areas that control impulses and decision-making. This makes teens more likely to move from experimenting to addiction, and more affected in their schoolwork and memory. In young people crystal meth is also linked to accidents, violence, risky relationships and dropping out of school.

23Social and family harms of crystal meth

• Severe tension at home because of irritability and suspicion, which can reach domestic violence.
• Losing work or study because of nonstop wakefulness followed by collapse and long sleep.
• Debts and selling possessions, and it may reach legal problems.
• Isolation from old friends and ties only to a circle of people who use.
• Loss of trust among family members, and psychological effects on children if a parent uses.

24Do the harms of crystal meth go away after stopping?

The reassuring news is that the brain can recover. Imaging studies showed dopamine transporters approaching their normal level after about 12 to 17 months of abstinence, with some improvement in mental abilities, although other areas remained affected for longer.

Sleep, appetite, weight and mood improve within months of stopping and treatment, teeth need specialist care, while persistent psychosis and heart problems need medical and psychiatric follow-up. The earlier treatment begins, the less permanent harm there is. Learn about the stages of crystal meth addiction treatment.