What is Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine is a synthetic, highly addictive stimulant that affects the brain and central nervous system. Chemically similar to amphetamine, it is often used for its stimulating effects, which include increased energy, euphoria, and enhanced focus. Methamphetamine can come in several forms, but the most common are powder (usually snorted or injected) and crystal (often smoked).

Who Invented Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine was first synthesized in 1893 by Japanese chemist Nagai Nagayoshi. However, it wasn’t until the 1930s that it gained widespread use, particularly in military settings during World War II, where it was used to keep soldiers awake and alert. In the following decades, the drug found its way into both medical and recreational use, leading to widespread abuse and the creation of methamphetamine as a street drug.

Methamphetamine drugs are a class of powerful stimulants that include the street forms of meth, as well as pharmaceutical versions. Pharmaceutical methamphetamine, like Desoxyn, is prescribed to treat ADHD and obesity but is rarely used due to its high potential for abuse. On the street, methamphetamine is commonly found as methamphetamine hydrochloride (crystal meth) and can be snorted, injected, or smoked.

Yes, methamphetamine is classified as a stimulant. It works by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain, which leads to intense feelings of pleasure and energy. This chemical reaction in the brain is what makes methamphetamine so addictive.

Methamphetamine can take several forms:

• Crystal Meth: This is the purest and most potent form, usually appearing as clear, white, or bluish crystals that resemble shards of glass or ice.
• Powder Meth: This form is usually white or off-white and can be snorted, ingested, or injected.

Methamphetamine can be used in various ways:

• Smoked: This is the most common method for crystal meth users. When smoked, methamphetamine enters the bloodstream rapidly and produces an intense but short-lived high.
• Snorted: Powdered methamphetamine is often snorted, leading to slower absorption but a longer-lasting effect.
• Injected: Injecting methamphetamine provides an immediate and intense high.
• Ingested: Some users will swallow methamphetamine in pill form or mix it with food.

The price of methamphetamine can vary widely depending on geographic location and purity. On average, one gram of methamphetamine might cost between $60 and $100 in many areas. However, the cost can increase or decrease based on demand, supply, and local law enforcement activity.

Methamphetamine can remain in the body for a significant amount of time, depending on the method of use, the person’s metabolism, and the quantity taken. Methamphetamine can stay in the system:

• In urine: Up to 3-7 days after use.
• In blood: 1-3 days.
• In hair: Up to 90 days.

Methamphetamine has several effects on the body and mind, most notably increasing levels of dopamine in the brain. The immediate effects include:

• Increased energy and alertness
• Euphoria and enhanced pleasure
• Decreased appetite
• Hyperactivity and agitation

Long-term use can lead to severe psychological and physical health issues, including addiction, anxiety, depression, and damage to the brain and heart.

Yes, “speed” is a slang term that can refer to methamphetamine, although it can also be used to describe other stimulants like amphetamines. In the context of methamphetamine, “speed” is often used to describe the drug when it’s in its powdered form.

Yes, methamphetamine is illegal in most countries. It is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States, which means it has a high potential for abuse and has no accepted medical use outside of specific medical conditions like ADHD or obesity.