Methamphetamine Effects
by Erowid
Positive Meth Effects
Increased energy and alertness, Decreased need for sleep, Euphoria, Increased sexuality
Neutral Meth Effects
excessive talking, weight loss, sweating, visual & auditory hallucinations (hearing voices)
Negative Meth Effects
disturbed sleep patterns, dis-interest in friends, sex, or food, itching, welts on skin
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive excitation, hyperactivity, shortness of breath, moodiness & irritability, anxiousness & nervousness, aggressiveness, involuntary body movements (uncontrollable movement and/or twitches of fingers, facial & body muscles, lip-smaking, tongue protrusion, grimacing, etc.), panic, suspiciousness & paranoia, malnutrition & anorexia, false sense of confidence and power (delusions of grandeur), aggressive and violent behavior
severe depression, suicidal tendencies
Possible Long Term Effects
fatal kidney and lung disorders, possible brain damage, permanent psychological problems, lowered resistance to illnesses, liver damage, stroke
Addiction and Withdrawal
Users of large amount of amphetamines over a long period of time can develop an amphetamine psychosis, which is a mental disorder similar to paranoid schizophrenia. The psychosis is manifested by hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. Bizarre, sometime violent, behavior is exhibited by those with amphetamine psychosis. Symptoms usually disappear within a few weeks after drug use stops.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Amphetamines have the potential to produce tolerance, which means that increased amounts of the drug are needed to achieve the desired effects. Withdrawal symptoms can occur when use of amphetamines is stopped abruptly. Users may experience fatigue; long, disturbed periods of sleep; irritability; intense hunger, and moderate to severe depression. The length and severity of the depression is related to how much and how often amphetamines were used.
craving, exhaustion, depression, mental confusion, restlessness and insomnia, deep or disturbed sleep lasting up to 48 hours, extreme hunger, psychotic reaction, anxiety reactions
