What Is Crystal Meth?
Crystal Meth also called as crystal methamphetamine and in casual terms as tina, ice or glass is a colorless form of d-methamphhetamine, it’s a very powerful and extremely addictive artificial psycho stimulant. The effect of this odorless and colorless substance is long-lasting on its user. As compared to the powdered version of methamphetamine, crystal meth is typically purer; it has longer lasting effects and has some intense physiological impact on its users. Crystal Meth is given its name because of its looks. It looks like a shiny blue-white rocks or rubble of glass of different sizes.
What Does Methamphetamine Look Like?
The look of methamphetamine is in form of crystalline white powder that is bitter in taste, dissolves easily in water or alcohol and is odorless. This powder is found in other colors as well like yellow-gray, brown, orange and even is available in pink color. It can also be transformed into pill form. As mentioned earlier, this drug can be smoked, injected or snorted. Crystal meth is most commonly smoked and it comes in chunky crystals that resemble ice.
Street Names For Crystal Meth
- Blade
- Batu
- Crystal
- Cristy
- Crystal glass
- Ice
- Glass
- Hot Ice
Who Uses Crystal Meth?
Crystal meth is generally used for the euphoric effects that it offers to the young generation who are often found in dance parties or clubs.
Some people also take crystal meth for losing weight as it has those elements that can lead to rapid weight loss, even though this effect doesn’t lasts long, the moment a user will stop using this drug all the lost weigh will come back. The body also normally becomes tolerant to this drug, reducing the weight loss effect over time.
Many people prefer to have crystal meth as compared to other illegal drugs because the euphoric feeling lasts longer than other drugs – it has longer effects than other drugs like cocaine.
People who suffer from depression like to take crystal meth for its elevating effects. Others might find it interesting for the increased sexual pleasure and libido that is often associated with this drug. Since crystal meth is an illegal drug, the health authorities are still not sure how many people use this drug.
How Is Crystal Meth Taken?
Crystal Meth can be taken in different ways like the following:
- It is most commonly smoked through glass pipes.
- It can be snorted.
- It can be injected.
- It can be taken in the form of pills.
- The user may also insert it into their anus or urethra.
What Does Crystal Meth Do To Your Body?
Crystal meth boosts the release and ends the reuptake of a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) known as dopamine. Dopamine plays an essential role in the speed function, reward, motivation and how your brain experiences and understands pleasure. The rush of dopamine in the reward centers of the brain gives the user the feeling of euphoria after they take the drug.
People who abuse the use of crystal meth experience considerable changes in how their brains functions. Research has also discovered that people who use crystal meth can also severely affect the brain areas that are linked to memory and emotion both functionally and structurally. This impact may explain why so many chronic crystal meth abusers can develop cognitive and emotional difficulties.
People who keep using crystal meth have a greater risk of becoming addicted to it. Some of the brains effects of this drug stay long even after the user has stopped using it. Experts do believe that these changes do turn back after long periods of self-restraint – of at least one year or more.
Below is a list of the psychological and physical effects that are caused by crystal meth.
Physical Effects Of Crystal Meth
- Abnormally rapid hearbeat and abnormal heart rhythm.
- Abnormally slow heartbeat.
- Anorexia
- Acne
- Blurred Vision
- Dirrahea
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Dilated Pupils
- Dry Mouth and dry skin
- Elevated body temperature (hyperthermia)
- Headaches and Flushing
- Heart Palpitations and High blood pressure
- Insomnia and hyperactivity.
- Twitching and tremors.
- Pale and itchy skin.
In chronic cases or when a user takes high doses, Crystal Meth can cause convulsions, heart attack, stroke or even death.
Psychological Effects Of Crystal Meth
- Alertness and increased concentration
- Aggressiveness and anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Increased sexual drive.
- Increased energy and libido
- Sensation of power and invincibility.
- Increase self-confidence.
- Paranoia
- Psychomotor agitation (related to body movements associated with mental activity)
- Sociability
- Repetitive and obsessive behaviors.
When this drug is taken regularly or in high does, it can cause a serious condition that is knows as methamphetamine psychosis.
The Stages Of The Meth “Experience”
- The Rush – A rush is the start response that an abuser experiences when they smoke or inject methamphetamine. During the rush, the abuser’s heartbeat races and metabolism, pulse and blood pressure sores. Unlike the rush that is associated with crack cocaine which last for approximately 2-5 minutes, the methamphetamine rush can continue for up to 30 minutes.
- The High – The rush is accompanied with high, also known as “The Shoulder”. During the high, the users become aggressively smarter and come in an argumentative mood where he interrupts other people and finishes their sentences. The delusional effects can result in an abuser being extremely focused on something that is insignificant, like cleaning the same window again and again. The high can last for 4-16 hours.
- The Binge – A binge is a uncontrolled abuse of alcohol or drug. It refers to the urge that an abuser experiences of injecting or smoking more methamphetamine. The binge can last to up to 3-15 days. During the phase of binge the user becomes hyperactive both physically and mentally. Each time the user injects or smokes more of the drug, he experiences a smaller rush till finally there is no high or rush.
- Tweaking – A methamphetamine user is most hazardous when experiencing a part of the addiction called “tweaking” – a condition that is reached at the end of the drug binge when methamphetamine no longer provides a high or rush. Incapable to relieve the terrible feelings of craving and emptiness, as abuser loses his sense of identity. Intense itching is common that a user can become convinced that bugs are crawling on their skin. Unable the abuser is not able to sleep for days at a time, the abuser is often in a psychotic state and he seems to stay in his own world. His hallucinations are so vibrant that they seem real, disconnected from reality he can become aggressive and dangerous to himself and others. The potential for self-mutilation is high.
- The Crash – To a binge abuser, the crash is a phase when the body shuts down, unable to cope with the drug effects irresistible it; this consequences in a long phase of sleep for the person. Even the meanest, most aggressive addict becomes almost unresponsive during the crash. The crash can last from 1 to 3 days.
- Meth Hangover – After the crash the addict returns in a worse state, dehydrated, starved and utterly physically exhausted, along with emotionally and mentally stress. This stage normally lasts from 2-14 days. This leads to forced dependence, as the “solution” to these thoughts is to take more meth.
Crystal Meth Drawback Symptoms
Drawback symptoms of crystal meth can last for days or even weeks depending on the length of time that the person has been addicted for. Addictive drugs can change the chemistry of the addict’s brain, and crystal meth does it more than any other drug. Although crystal meth will be out of the persons system within two – three days of stopping its use, this doesn’t mean that the addiction or withdrawal symptoms are over.
A person who is withdrawing from crystal meth may experience the following symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Hunger – most abusers put on weight when they give up crystal meth
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Inability to experience pleasure
- Moodiness
