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Crstal Meth Information

Crystal Meth is the street name for the chemical compound methamphetamine hydrochloride. It is a clear to milky white crystalline substance, which resembles sea salt. The color of the crystals varies according to its purity. In its cheapest—and most toxic—form, the crystals may appear dirty brown with black flecks. When found in its purest form, the almost transparent appearance of the crystals is the reason for its nickname, “ice.”

The euphoric effect of crystal meth is produced when high levels of dopamine and serotonin (neurotransmitters which act as the brain’s pleasure sensors) are released. This creates a “spike” for a period of time, depending on how the drug was injected, which is followed by a dramatic drop in the levels of these brain chemicals.

Normally, the brain replenishes its stores of dopamine and serotonin over a period of up to ten days after use of crystal meth. When the drug is used prior to the body’s ability to return to its baseline levels, the “high” experienced by the user isn’t as high or enjoyable as before, and the “crash” after use is also lower.

In addiction, this cycle becomes continuous: frequent use at higher doses begins to deplete the body’s stores of these neurotransmitters. This can lead to irreversible brain damage. Other organs are equally at risk: kidney and liver problems, lung damage, heart conditions and lowered resistance to infection are all linked to long-term meth use.

According to addiction experts, crystal meth first became popular in poor rural areas of the United States for a number of reasons. It was easy to produce, provided a cheap high and, in the early stages of use, supplied increased energy and alertness. This allowed the user to work longer and harder, especially when working required long or irregular hours (such as truck driving or shift work).

The drug began to grow in popularity among young people who participated in “raves” (late-night dance parties which drew hundreds of participants to outdoor venues, often hastily and clandestinely organized). Attendees enjoyed the drug’s energizing effects, allowing them to dance for hours on end.

Some overweight users noticed that, along with the energizing effects (which allowed them to be more physically active) they also experienced a loss of appetite. For those naïve enough to be unaware of the long-term consequences, this seemed to be the perfect solution to weight loss, even among teenagers.

From the rave scene, the drug entered dance clubs, where its effects were equally pleasurable. Along with energy and alertness, the drug also enhanced sexual sensations. This led to crystal meth being used by those seeking anonymous sex (such as men having sex with men in bathhouses and other sex clubs).

For this reason, addiction specialists and medical experts have linked meth use to a rise in HIV infection, particularly among younger gay and bisexual men (although heterosexuals can also be exposed to HIV infection from shared use of syringes used to inject the drug).