What is Crystal meth?
Crystal meth, also known as crystal methamphetamine, is a very pure, smokable form of methamphetamine. Known informally as ice, tina, or glass, is a colorless form of d-methamphetamine, a powerful synthetic stimulant which is a highly addictive man-made stimulant. Its use can lead to severe physiological and psychological dependence.
This odorless substance is abused because it has a long-lasting euphoric effect on the user. Crystal meth is generally purer than powdered methamphetamine, and has a longer-lasting effect, as well as a more powerful physiological impact.
Crystal meth resembles shiny blue-white “rocks” or fragments of varying sizes similar in appearance to actual ice or glass. Crystal meth is odorless and colorless.
Crystal meth is usually smoked, but is sometimes injected, snorted, or even swallowed.
Crystal meth’s short-term effects are similar to the effects of cocaine but longer lasting. Crystal meth can cause erratic, violent behavior among its users. Also, users can experience abnormal heart rhythm, blurry vision, diarrhea, insomnia, mood swings and unpredictability, tremors and convulsions, increased blood pressure, acne, dizziness, dry mouth, sugar cravings, hallucinations, numbness, itchy/dry skin, hyperactivity, and flushing, among other things. Further, users may also experience homicidal or suicidal thoughts, prolonged anxiety, and/or paranoia. Crystal meth use by pregnant women can lead to premature birth or birth defects, including heart defects and cleft palate.
Long-term effects of Crystal meth use can include brain damage (similar to the effects of Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease), convulsions, coma, stroke or death. Signs of chronic use of crystal meth include weight loss, tooth decay and cracked teeth (“Meth Mouth”), psychosis and hallucinations, sores on the body from picking at skin, and formication (an abnormal skin sensation akin to “bugs crawling on skin”).
medical news today, drugfree.org