The Impact of Methamphetamine on Health and Society

I. Introduction
This paper explores the serious effects of methamphetamine on people’s health and how

it impacts society. It will look at what methamphetamine is, how it works in the body, the

risks and possible medical benefits, and how laws and public views around it have

changed over time. The main question is: How does methamphetamine affect the human

body and what role does it play in society today?

II. Description of the Drug

Methamphetamine—often called “meth,” “crystal,” or “ice”—is a powerful and illegal

stimulant drug. It is part of the amphetamine family, which means it speeds up the body’s

systems. Meth usually comes as a white powder or as shiny, rock-like crystals. People

take it by swallowing, snorting, smoking, or injecting it.

While most meth use is illegal, there is a legal form called Desoxyn that doctors rarely

prescribe for ADHD or obesity. However, because of the high risk of abuse, this form is

used very carefully (Winslow, Voorhees, & Pehl, 2007).

III. Pharmacological Effects

In addition to the emotional and cognitive symptoms, methamphetamine use often leads

to severe physical health problems. Studies have found that long-term meth users can

develop heart disease, high blood pressure, and even strokes at a young age. The drug

also weakens the immune system, making users more likely to get sick or develop

infections. According to national surveys, approximately 1.6 million people reported

using meth in the past year in the United States, with many showing signs of serious

health issues.

The drug's effects on behavior can also be dangerous. Users often become paranoid,

aggressive, or violent. This makes it hard for them to keep jobs, maintain relationships, or

live stable lives. In some cases, meth use can lead to psychosis, a mental condition where

a person loses touch with reality. These episodes can be very frightening and may require

emergency psychiatric care.

Methamphetamine causes a strong burst of energy and makes users feel very alert and

happy. These effects happen quickly and can last for hours. But the short-term high

comes with serious dangers. Users may feel anxious, confused, or aggressive. Over time,

repeated meth use can lead to memory loss, mood problems, and violent behavior

(Gonzales, Mooney, & Rawson, 2010).

On a deeper level, methamphetamine doesn’t just affect dopamine. It also influences

norepinephrine and serotonin, two other important brain chemicals. Norepinephrine

increases alertness and heart rate, which is why users often feel energetic and restless.

Serotonin affects mood, sleep, and emotions. By overloading all three of these

neurotransmitters, meth causes intense stimulation followed by a sharp crash.

Brain imaging studies show that repeated meth use changes the structure and function of

the brain, especially in areas responsible for decision-making, memory, and emotion.

Over time, these changes can become permanent. This explains why many recovering

users still struggle with mental health issues even after they stop using the drug.
Meth harms different parts of the body. It damages the brain, making it hard for people to

think clearly. It also puts a lot of stress on the heart, raising the risk of heart attacks and

strokes. Users often suffer from bad dental problems, skin sores, and extreme weight loss.

Compared to cocaine, meth stays in the body longer and causes more lasting harm

(Winslow et al., 2007).

Because methamphetamine affects judgment and impulse control, users may engage in

risky behaviors, like driving under the influence or committing crimes to obtain the drug.

This adds to the social costs of meth addiction, which include emergency room visits,

rehabilitation services, and legal expenses.

It’s also important to mention that meth withdrawal can be very difficult. Symptoms

include extreme fatigue, depression, and intense cravings. These symptoms make it hard

for users to quit without medical support. While some medications and behavioral

therapies are being tested, there is currently no approved drug treatment that can fully

stop meth addiction, which makes prevention and early intervention even more

important.

IV. Mechanisms of Action (How It Works)

Methamphetamine use has shifted over time. In the 1990s and early 2000s, many rural

areas in the U.S. saw a surge in meth use and home-based meth labs. This led to new

laws limiting the sale of ingredients like pseudoephedrine, which helped reduce local

production. However, meth trafficking later shifted to large-scale operations, particularly

from international drug cartels.

Efforts to reduce meth use have included public awareness campaigns, increased law

enforcement, and treatment programs. Yet, stigmatization remains a major problem.

Many users are afraid to seek help because they fear being judged or arrested. As a result,

health experts are calling for a shift toward treating meth use as a public health issue

rather than only a criminal one. This could lead to better outcomes by providing people

with the support they need to recover instead of punishing them.

Meth affects the brain by increasing the levels of certain chemicals, especially dopamine.

Dopamine helps control feelings of pleasure and movement. When someone takes meth,

their brain releases a large amount of dopamine all at once. This creates the intense

“high” but also damages the brain cells that make and use dopamine (Gonzales et al.,

2010).

Meth enters brain cells and causes them to release too much dopamine. It also blocks the

normal process that would remove extra dopamine, making the effects last longer. Over

time, this process wears out the brain’s ability to feel pleasure, which leads to addiction

and depression (Hwang et al., 2025).

There is no easy solution to the methamphetamine crisis. But by understanding how the

drug affects the brain and body, we can design better treatment programs. Education and

early prevention, especially in schools and communities at risk, are key. Healthcare

providers, law enforcement, and policymakers need to work together to balance the need

for public safety with compassion and science-based treatment options. With more

research and support, it is possible to reduce the harm meth causes to individuals and

society.
V. Primary Risks and Benefits
Meth has very few medical uses today. It can help some people with ADHD or extreme

obesity, but it’s only prescribed when other treatments don’t work. Even then, doctors are

very cautious because of how addictive it is.

The biggest risks of meth are addiction, psychosis (loss of contact with reality), and

damage to the brain and heart. It also leads people to take dangerous risks, like unsafe sex

or sharing needles, which increases the chances of infections. While other drugs like

Adderall are also stimulants, meth is much more harmful and addictive (Winslow et al.,

2007).

VI. History and Social/Legal Impact

Methamphetamine was first made in Japan in the 1890s and used during World War II to

help soldiers stay awake. After the war, it was used more commonly, sometimes even in

diet pills. But by the 1970s, people realized how dangerous it was, and it became a tightly

controlled substance in the U.S. (Gonzales et al., 2010).

Today, meth is a Schedule II drug. This means it has some legal medical uses, but it’s

very likely to be abused. Public opinion has mostly focused on its dangers, especially in

areas hit hard by meth addiction. Movies and news stories often show people with severe

physical damage from meth, which can create fear but also help raise awareness.

Unfortunately, strict drug laws have also led to high rates of arrest and imprisonment,

especially in poor or rural communities. More recently, some programs have started to

focus on treatment instead of punishment, which may be more effective in the long run.
VII. Conclusion
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that causes major damage to the body and

brain. Although it has limited medical use, the risks far outweigh the benefits for most

people. Over the years, meth has changed from a helpful medicine to one of the most

dangerous street drugs. Understanding how it works and how society handles it can help

improve treatment options and guide better drug policies in the future.

VIII. References (APA Style)

Gonzales, R., Mooney, L., & Rawson, R. A. (2010). The methamphetamine problem in

the United States. Annual Review of Public Health, 31, 385–398.

https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.012809.103600

Hwang, Z.-A., et al. (2025). Assessment of resting cerebral perfusion between

methamphetamine-associated psychosis and schizophrenia through arterial spin labeling

MRI. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 275(3), 873–883.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-024-01857-1

Methamphetamine. (2022). In Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health (2nd ed.). Gale.

https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX7947900184/GVRL?u=sacr22807&sid=bookmark-

GVRL&xid=e8dbcf2d

Winslow, B. T., Voorhees, K. I., & Pehl, K. A. (2007). Methamphetamine abuse.

American Family Physician, 76(8), 1169–1174.