Medically Reviewed
By The Recovery Village
The Recovery Village
The Recovery Village
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Gretchen Koebbe

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Medically Reviewed By Conor Sheehy, PharmD, BCPS, CACP
Conor Sheehy
Conor Sheehy, PharmD, BCPS, CACP

Dr. Sheehy completed his BS in Molecular Biology at the University of Idaho and went on to complete his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at... read more

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Updated on 08/06/21

Meth is the shortened name of the street drug methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is a stimulant that produces feelings of energy, euphoria and pleasure.

This illicit drug is made in meth labs, usually in basements or hidden locations in a house or mobile trailer. It is made from chemicals found in hardware and drug stores and is dangerous to produce because the chemicals can be explosive and toxic to inhale.

Meth has a very high addictive potential because it activates reward pathways in brain cells. By activating the reward pathways in the brain, the individual temporarily feels extremely good and seeks to maintain the pleasurable sensation.

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What Is Meth?

What is methamphetamine? It is a stimulant drug that increases levels of the chemical dopamine in brain cells. It does this in two different ways: It prevents the breakdown of dopamine that floats between brain cells, and it causes brain cells to empty their stored dopamine into synapses.

Methamphetamine has an extremely high addictive potential, but it does have some limited use in medicine. Pharmaceutical methamphetamine can be prescribed for cases of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that do not respond to normal treatment.

Despite this allowance, methamphetamine is rarely ever used to treat ADHD because it has such a poor reputation and high risks.

Most meth is produced cheaply for illicit and recreational use and is smoked, snorted, injected or taken by mouth.

Other Names & Street Names For Meth

Meth has a variety of street names, some of which describe how it is taken and some that describe the appearance.

Street names for meth change all the time, so these names can refer to many different drugs and vary depending on what part of the country you are in. Some common slang terms and names for meth include:

  • Ice: refers to the glassy, crystalline appearance of meth in its purified form.
  • Speed: can refer to either methamphetamine or its cousin, amphetamine. Amphetamine is the active ingredient in Adderall.
  • Crank: meth received this nicknamed from biker gangs in the U.S. in the 1970s. Bikers used to hide the drug in the motorcycle’s crankcase, and it also refers to an increased feeling of energy.
  • Chalk: the powdered and white version of methamphetamine. Chalk is coarser and less pure than crystal or ice.
  • Crystal: the same form of meth as ice. Crystal is a purified version of methamphetamine without as many dangerous additives. The high may last much longer, and this form is usually more addictive than diluted formulations.

What Is Crystal Meth?

Crystal meth is a pure form of methamphetamine, typically produced in a high-quality lab and shipped into the country. The purity of crystal meth makes it harder to obtain than less pure versions that come in powdered form.

This form is also more expensive than less pure versions.

Crystal meth looks like fragments of glass or bluish-white and shiny rocks. Crystals fragments vary in size from a few millimeters to a centimeter or more.

How Is Meth Abused?

How do you do meth? Meth is unique because it can be taken in so many different ways. It absorbs quickly into the bloodstream no matter how it is ingested, though some methods work more quickly than others.

  • Swallowing (Pill Form): Prescription methamphetamine (Desoxyn) comes in a 5 mg tablet form in small, white tablets. Other forms of meth can also be put into a capsule and swallowed. Some prefer this method of ingestion because it does less damage to the body compared to smoking, snorting or injecting.
  • Smoking: Meth is smoked with a glass or metal pipe. Methamphetamine does not vaporize easily, so people use butane lighters that are hotter than normal cigarette lighters. Butane lighters produce a torch flame that can vaporize meth to a smokable gas.
  • Shooting/Injecting: Shooting meth (or injecting meth) is one of the most popular methods of misusing the drug. Meth is first melted (sometimes in a spoon) into a liquid and that liquid is drawn into a syringe through a needle. Cotton balls may be used to filter out the liquid meth. The contents of the syringe are then injected into a vein, often in the arms or hands.
  • Snorting: Meth can be crushed into a small powder form and snorted through a straw or other tube into the nose.

What Does Meth Look Like?

Meth looks different based on its purity and formulation.

Oral methamphetamine may come as small white tablets or inside capsules. Some party drugs contain a mixture of methamphetamine and other substances, and these pills may be any color or shape.

Crystal meth is clear to bluish-white crystals that range in size from a few millimeters to a few centimeters. Crystal meth may have a flaky, white appearance if it is broken into smaller pieces.

What Does Meth Smell Like?

The smell of meth is described as bitter, plastic and sometimes sweet. Impure forms of meth might have a strong chemical smell if the chemicals used to make it were not washed out completely.

Meth is sometimes compared to the smell of ammonia, a solvent used for cleaning. Other descriptors include vinegar, acetone or no odor at all.

Meth Side Effects

What does meth do to you? Besides increasing energy and giving a high, other meth side effects can occur as well.

Side effects occur regardless of how meth is ingested, but they are more likely to happen by injection and when the drug is purer.

Common side effects include:

  • Agitation
  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Cravings
  • Dental problems
  • Hallucinations
  • Itching
  • Memory loss
  • Paranoia, or unreasonable distrust of others
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Weight loss

How Long Does Meth Stay In Your System?

Methamphetamine has a half-life of about four to five hours, meaning it will clear out of the body in 20–25 hours. For people who have used meth heavily or for a long period of time, the drug may stay in the system longer than one day but, in general, it should completely leave the system within 2–3 days because it does not absorb into fat tissue. Meth can be detected in other parts of the body, including:

  • Blood: How long does meth stay in your blood? Meth is generally not detectable in the blood after a day or so. Blood levels are only elevated when a person is acutely intoxicated, or currently under the influence of methamphetamine.
  • Urine: How long does meth stay in your urine? Methamphetamine can be detected in the urine 48 hours after the use of methamphetamine for most urine drug screens. People who use the drug heavily may have detectable levels for a few days longer than this, however.
  • Hair: How long does meth stay in your hair? Hair tests can reliably measure meth for up to about six months of prior usage. When meth is present in the bloodstream, small amounts are deposited and trapped in hair follicles. As hair grows out, the trapped drug remains in the hair until that portion of hair is cut.

Is Meth Addictive?

Yes, meth is extremely addictive. Any substance or action that causes a reward in the brain will release dopamine so, by increasing dopamine, meth reinforces its own use.

Meth is one of the most addictive illicit substances, so quitting can be incredibly difficult.

If you or someone you know uses methamphetamine, it’s likely that they are unable to quit on their own. The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health offers a range of treatment services in South Florida. If you are looking for assistance with drug addiction, call The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health to speak with a representative who can provide additional information about treatment and recovery.

Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.