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Methamphetamine
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Substance Use Disorders

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that can cause severe physical and emotional health problems, including permanent dental damage and life-threatening temperature spikes.

Overview

Methamphetamine—meth for short—is a very addictive stimulant drug. It appears as a powder that can be made into a pill or a shiny rock known as a crystal. The powder can be eaten, snorted, or mixed with liquid and injected. Crystal meth is typically smoked in a small glass pipe.

Effects and Risks

While meth initially produces a rush of good feelings, users quickly experience edginess, over-excitement, anger, or fear. Meth use can rapidly lead to addiction and causes significant medical issues, including:

  • Hyperthermia: Raising body temperature to the point of passing out.
  • Severe itching.
  • "Meth mouth": Characterized by broken teeth and dry mouth.
  • Cognitive and emotional problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

While addiction typically develops over time, methamphetamine is highly addictive, and some individuals can develop a compulsive pattern of use after very few exposures. The drug causes a rapid and intense release of dopamine, which can strongly reinforce the behavior. Risk factors for rapid addiction include genetic predisposition, a history of other substance use disorders, and co-occurring mental health conditions. If you or someone you know is struggling with use, even if it seems infrequent, seeking a professional assessment is recommended to address potential dependency early.
Immediate signs of a severe reaction or overdose include hyperthermia (dangerously high body temperature), which can lead to organ failure or death. Other critical symptoms include severe agitation, psychosis, hallucinations, chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and seizures. If you observe someone with these symptoms, especially if they are confused, unconscious, or having trouble breathing, call emergency services immediately. Do not leave the person alone, and keep them cool if their temperature is high.
Methamphetamine use often leads to a condition known as "meth mouth," characterized by severe tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. This is caused by a combination of dry mouth (xerostomia), which reduces saliva that protects teeth, bruxism (grinding or clenching teeth), and poor oral hygiene due to the drug's effects on behavior. While the drug itself does not directly rot teeth, the behavioral and physiological changes accelerate decay. Once teeth are lost or severely damaged, the damage is permanent and requires extensive dental reconstruction, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures, to restore function and appearance.
Chronic use can lead to significant and sometimes permanent changes in the brain's structure and function. Users may experience persistent memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and impaired decision-making. Emotionally, long-term use is associated with increased anxiety, paranoia, and aggression. Some individuals develop a state of methamphetamine-induced psychosis, which can include hallucinations and delusions that persist even after the drug has left the body. Recovery of full cognitive function can take months or years after sustained abstinence and often requires professional mental health treatment.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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