Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a widely used stimulant in the amphetamine class. It was synthesized in 1893, but it didn’t become popular until around the 1930s. Since then, it has been used in both medical and recreational settings.

It’s a euphoric and clearly recreational drug, though it can provide more “productive” stimulation at low-common doses.

Most of its harms have been exaggerated. However, neurotoxicity is a concern with heavy use, psychosis can arise, and it can even be fatal when not taken in a careful manner.

Methamphetamine = Meth; Crystal; Glass; Crank; Yaba; Desoxyn; Sisa; Metamfetamine; d-N-methylamphetamine;
(RS)-N-methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-amine

Dose

Oral (medical)

Total: 10 – 25 mg/day

Oral

Light: 5 – 15 mg

Common: 15 – 30 mg

Strong: 30 – 45 mg

Intranasal

Light: 5 – 10 mg

Common: 10 – 30 mg

Strong: 30+ mg

Inhalation

Light: 5 – 10 mg

Common: 10 – 25 mg

Strong: 25 – 40 mg

Intravenous

Light: 5 – 10 mg

Common: 10 – 30 mg

Strong: 30+ mg

Timeline

Oral

Total: 6 – 8 hours

Onset: 00:20 – 00:45

Intranasal

Total: 2 – 4 hours

Onset: 00:05 – 00:10

Inhalation

Total: 2 – 4 hours

Onset: Under 5 minutes

Intravenous

Total: 2 – 4 hours

Onset: Under 2 minutes

Experience Reports

Erowid

Test Results

References

(2015) Chronic methamphetamine abuse and corticostriatal deficits revealed by neuroimaging.

(2015) The effects of adolescent methamphetamine exposure

(2015) Recent advances in methamphetamine neurotoxicity mechanisms and its molecular pathophysiology.

(2015) Prior methamphetamine self-administration attenuates the dopaminergic deficits caused by a subsequent methamphetamine exposure.

(2014) Methamphetamine: an update on epidemiology, pharmacology, clinical phenomenology, and treatment literature.

(2014) The neurobiology of methamphetamine induced psychosis

(2014) Methamphetamine: Fact vs. Fiction and Lessons from the crack hysteria

(2014) Reactive oxygen species scavenger N-acetyl cysteine reduces methamphetamine-induced hyperthermia without affecting motor activity in mice.

(2014) Accidental death via intravaginal absorption of methamphetamine.

(2014) Exploring methamphetamine trends in Europe

(2012) Methamphetamine: history, pathophysiology, adverse health effects, current trends, and hazards associated with the clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine.

(2012) Is cognitive functioning impaired in methamphetamine users? A critical review.

(2011) Role of sigma receptors in methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity.

(2011) Methamphetamine for Hitler’s Germany: 1937 to 1945.

(2009) A review of the clinical pharmacology of methamphetamine.

(2008) Hyperthermic and lethal effects of methamphetamine: roles of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors.

(2008) Pharmacotherapy for methamphetamine dependence: a review of the pathophysiology of methamphetamine addiction and the theoretical basis and efficacy of pharmacotherapeutic interventions.

(2008) Major physical and psychological harms of methamphetamine use.

(2007) Methamphetamine and cardiovascular pathology: a review of the evidence.

(2007) Neurocognitive effects of methamphetamine: a critical review and meta-analysis.

(2007) Methamphetamine-induced hyperthermia and lethal toxicity: role of the dopamine and serotonin transporters.

(2006) Human pharmacology of the methamphetamine stereoisomers.

(2005) Implications of chronic methamphetamine use: a literature review.

(2002) Patterns of methamphetamine abuse and their consequences.

(2000) History of the methamphetamine problem.

(1998) Psychophysiological aspects of amphetamine-methamphetamine abuse.

(1994) Fatal and nonfatal methamphetamine intoxication in the intensive care unit.

(1984) A fatal methamphetamine poisoning associated with hyperpyrexia.

(1956) Studies in pharmacological psychotherapy. I. Treatment of refractory psychoneuroses and personality disorders with thiopental (pentothal) sodium and methamphetamine (desoxyn).