The following PsycholoGenie article will shed some light on certain facts about Crystal Methamphetamine. Some of these are quite shocking and will act as preventive measures for people who may have wanted to try the drug.
Methamphetamine or n-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-2-amine, also known by other chemical names like methylamphetamine or desoxyephedrine, is a dangerous chemical. When in crystalline form, it becomes a drug called crystal methamphetamine, more commonly known by its street name―crystal meth. This highly addictive drug is either smoked in glass pipes, injected dry, dissolved in water and swallowed, snorted―and believe it or not―inserted into the anus or urethra.
In the following sections of this PsycholoGenie article, we will cover some crystal methamphetamine facts that will highlight just how dangerous this drug is.
Interesting Facts About Methamphetamine
Crystal meth was commonly used in the 1960s and 1970s, after which it kind of disappeared during the 1980s. However, the drug has made a comeback in recent times and has caused addictions in people of all ages. Crystalline methamphetamine looks like a crystalline powder. An interesting fact about this drug is that crystal meth that is legal, has no odor, whereas, illegal crystal meth has a strong ammonia odor. This happens due to the incomplete manufacturing of the solvents and reagents used to manufacture this drug. The ingredients of crystal meth include antifreeze, battery acid, hydrochloric acid, drain cleaner, lye, red phosphorous, sulfuric acid, ether, lithium, muriatic acid, lantern fuel, and other over-the-counter drugs like ephedrine.
Street Names of Crystal Meth
There are many street names of the drug, some of which include the following:
- Amp
- Barney dope
- Batu
- Biker’s coffee
- BlackBeauties
- Blade
- Chalk
- Chicken feed
- Crank
- CriCri
- Cristy
- Crystal
- Crystal glass
- Crystal meth
- Crystalight
- Energy
- Eraser dust
- Fizz wizz
- Gak
- Glass
- Go-Fast
- Gonzales
- Hanyak
- Hiropon
- Hot ice
- Hydra
- Ice
- Jib
- Kaksonjae
- L.A. glass
- L.A. ice
- Meth
- Methlies quick
- Poor man’s cocaine
- Quartz
- Shabu
- Shards
- Sky rocks
- Speed
- Stove top
- Super ice
- Tina
- Trash
- Tweak
- Uppers
- Ventana
- Vidrio
- Waterford
- White pony
- Wigg
- Yaba
- Yellow bam
- Zip
What Makes the Drug so Addictive
Many women get hooked to the drug because of the fact that it helps in weight loss. Even though there is weight loss, it is often brought about at an extreme level. With time, the body gets accustomed to the drug and the rate of weight loss reduces after about 6 weeks of taking the drug. Moreover, the weight is easily regained after the user stops taking the drug. Which is why, the user is forced to continue using the drug and develops other problems related to drug abuse. It has also been reported that some take the drug to increase their sexual pleasure and their libido.
Effects of Meth
Crystal methamphetamine leads to innumerable health problems in a drug user. There are many effects of the drug on the body as this drug is never available in its pure form. The different ingredients mix together to form extreme effects. Some of these include:
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Jaw clenching
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Talkativeness
- Panic
- Obsessive compulsive behavior
- Violent behavior
- Confusion
- Increased libido
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased body temperature
- Increased heart rate
- Increase in blood sugar levels
- Bronchodilation
- Constriction of the walls of the arteries
In case of chronic users, especially in pregnant and nursing women, the drug can cross the placenta and come in direct contact with the fetus, or get absorbed in breast milk. Chronic users tend to develop tolerance towards the drug and therefore need to administer themselves with more quantities of the same in order to experience the same euphoric feeling. As a result, their drug cravings increase and they suffer from temporary weight loss. A condition called meth teeth or meth mouth, which causes extensive teeth decay and tooth loss, is seen in chronic users of the drug. In case a user suffers from side effects of methamphetamine, he may experience depression, anhedonia, and psychosis that may last for months to even years.
Health Complications of Drug Abuse?
There are many health problems related to drug use. A user may develop physical signs like irritability, nervousness, nausea, hot flashes, heart palpitations, paranoia, hypertension, etc. Other serious health complications related to crystal meth abuse include:
- Stroke due to damage to small blood vessels of the brain
- Heart lining inflammation
- Long term brain damage
- Meth mouth that causes loss of teeth and dental diseases
- Increase in risk of contracting infections due to lowered immune system, like, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and even HIV
- Sexual dysfunction
- Convulsions
- Cardiovascular collapse
- Delusions and paranoia
- Hyperthernia (elevated body temperature)
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
- Kidney failure
It has been found that 70% of the ‘Ecstasy’ drug contains crystalline methamphetamine. There are about 20% of crystalline methamphetamine users who become dependent on the drug. Anyone found in possession of and/or producing meth is fined $1000 to $100, 000 and sentenced to an imprisonment term of 6 months to life.
An addiction of this drug is very dangerous because of the downward spiraling of both, mental and physical health that it leads to. Addicts should be encouraged to check into a drug rehabilitation center, where they can be helped to overcome their addictions.
Disclaimer: This PsycholoGenie article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for the advice of a mental health expert.
