Methamphetamine (crystal meth) speeds up messages between the brain and the body. It can make you feel alert, energetic, anxious or paranoid.
Crystal meth usually comes as rocks or crystals. But it also comes as tablets and powder. These can be smoked, injected, snorted or swallowed.
It can vary in colour from off-white to brown or yellow. It tastes bitter and has no smell.
Drug category: stimulant
Stimulants speed up messages between the brain and body. They can make you feel alert or energetic. But they can also cause anxiety, paranoia and heart problems.
Other names for crystal meth
Other names include: meth, ice, glass, tina, t, christal, cristy, yaba, chalk, crank, zip.
Effects of crystal meth
The effects of crystal meth can vary depending on:
- your size, weight and sex
- if you have any health conditions or mental health difficulties
- how you take the drug
- the strength of the drug
- how much you take
- if you take alcohol, medicines or other drugs at the same time
- where you take the drug and how you feel before you take it
- if you have taken the drug before and how often
The effects of crystal meth can be immediate if you smoke or inject it. The effects take longer to feel if you take it as a pill.
How you may feel or behave
You may feel:
- intense wellbeing or happiness (euphoria)
- alert or energetic
- agitated or panicked
- aggressive
- paranoid
- confused
You may also feel a strong urge to take more.
Effects on your brain and body
Crystal meth may cause:
- increased heart rate and blood pressure
- increased body temperature
- over-stimulation
- hallucinations - you may see, hear and feel things that are not there
- loss of appetite
- fast breathing
- nausea
- jaw clenching
- problems sleeping
- thoughts of suicide
- lowered inhibitions - you may do thing you usually would not do
- increased sex drive
- extreme mental health reactions, such as psychosis
- stroke
- coma
Long-term use of crystal meth can lead to:
- tooth decay
- lung problems - if you smoke it
- vein or skin damage - if you inject it
- kidney and stomach problems
Crystal meth and mental health
Using crystal meth can lead to:
- severe psychosis - you have confused thoughts, feelings and behaviour and you do not know what is real or not real
- panic attacks
- paranoia
- hallucinations
- problems concentrating
- memory problems
Comedowns from crystal meth
A comedown is how you feel as the drug leaves your system.
Comedowns from crystal meth can be severe.
They can cause:
- problems sleeping
- mood swings
- headaches
- paranoia or confusion
- irritability
- low mood
- thoughts of suicide
You may be more at risk from a very bad comedown if you have:
- mental health difficulties
- a family history of mental health difficulties
It may help to talk to someone if you have a bad experience with crystal meth. This could be someone you trust or a listening service.
Crystal meth and dependency
Crystal meth is very addictive.
Regular use of crystal meth can cause:
- tolerance - when you need to take more of the drug to get the same effects
- dependency
Signs of dependency can include:
- cravings for a drug
- withdrawal symptoms
- continuing to use a drug even when it causes you harm
How long does crystal meth stay in your system?
It can be hard to know how long crystal meth stays in your system.
There are tests to detect crystal meth. But different types of tests have different detection times.
Things that affect how long a drug stays in your system
The time it takes for a drug to leave your system depends on many things.
For example:
- how much you took
- how often you take the drug
- how strong the drug was
- your age, sex and metabolism
- your general health
Reducing risks from crystal meth
It’s always safest not to take drugs.
There are ways to reduce the risk of harm if you use crystal meth. Select a piece of advice to find out more.
Consider if there is extra risk for you - such as health conditions or how you feel.
There are always risks if you use drugs. But some people may be more at risk than others.
If you or someone in your family has any health conditions or mental health difficulties, you may be more at risk of a drug emergency.
For example, if you have heart problems.
It can be hard to know your level of risk. Some people have health conditions and do not know it.
If you feel low, anxious or stressed, you are more at risk of a negative or challenging experience.
Only take with you what you intend to use.
This is to reduce the risk of taking too much in 1 session. Some drugs cause a strong urge to take more. You may also lose track of what you take.
Start with a small amount and wait 2 hours before you take more.
This is to reduce the risk of an overdose or drug emergency.
The contents or strength of drugs can vary, even in the same batch.
If you start with a small amount, you can:
- see how you react
- stop if you get an effect you did not expect or do not want
It can take up to 2 hours for some effects to happen. If you take too much too soon, it increases your risks.
Keep track of what you use.
To keep track of what you use each session, you could:
- set an alarm
- note the time you use - for example, take a screenshot on your phone
Think about your tolerance each time you use. It may have changed if you have not used in a few days.
Take breaks between sessions to reduce your risk of dependency and tolerance.
Only use 1 substance at a time.
Using crystal meth with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can have unpredictable and negative effects. Mixing drugs is always more risky.
Use a buddy system if possible.
Prepare a plan with your buddy on what to do in case of an emergency.
This may be that you both agree to:
- learn the signs of an overdose
- use naloxone in an opioid emergency
- call the emergency services
- stay with the other person until help arrives
Sip water or sports drinks - but not more than 1 pint an hour.
This is to reduce the risk of dehydration and water intoxication. Crystal meth can increase your body temperature and make you thirsty.
But if you drink too much water, your body pushes the extra water into your cells. The extra water causes a salt imbalance and swelling in your brain cells.
Think about your sexual health.
Crystal meth can reduce your inhibitions and increase your sex drive.
There are things you can do to look after yourself and your partners if you could have sex when you take drugs.
Find safe ways to cope with comedowns.
Using drugs or alcohol to cope with comedowns can make you feel worse.
Try to:
- get enough sleep or rest
- eat well
- keep in contact with friends and check if they are OK too
- talk to someone you trust about how you feel if you had a negative experience or saw something that worries you
- do some light activity, such as a walk - it releases chemicals in your brain that improve your mood (endorphins)
- do some relaxation exercises to manage stress, anxiety and worry
- take regular breaks from drugs and alcohol
- get medical advice if you have thoughts or feelings that worry you
Know what to do in case of a drug emergency.
If you take any kind of drug, it is important to know:
- signs of a drug emergency, including signs related to mental health
- what to do in case of overdose or other emergencies
An overdose can be a life-threatening condition. It happens when someone has too much of a drug or another substance in their system.
Getting help can prevent serious damage or death. Your wellbeing is the main priority.
Mixing crystal meth with alcohol or other drugs
You can never be fully sure of the contents of drugs.
Using crystal meth with alcohol or other stimulants can increase pressure on your heart. It can also increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome can be life-threatening.
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 if
you or someone else takes crystal meth and:
- loses consciousness
- has chest pain and a fast heartbeat
- feels very hot and cannot cool down
- sweats a lot and feels warm to touch
- has pain in their arms or legs
- is very confused or sounds different when they speak
- feels panic or very anxious
- hears or sees things that are not there
- has overwhelming thoughts or beliefs and could be a harm to themselves or others
Stay with the person until help arrives.
Tell the medics everything you know about the drug and give them the drug if possible. It will help them decide the right treatment.
If you are worried about crystal meth use
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s use, you can get support. This can be when crystal meth use affects your health, relationships, work or other areas of your life.
Non-urgent advice: Drugs and alcohol helpline
You can contact the helpline for support, information or advice on treatment and support options.
Freephone: 1800 459 459
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Email: helpline@hse.ie