"Crystal" is the popular street name of the pharmaceutical compound methamphetamine. The drug is a potent psycho-stimulant that has the potential to cause irreparable physical, psychological, and social damage to individuals who abuse or become dependent on this substance. Use of this illicit drug is found among all sectors of American society, is equally used by both men and women, in rural and urban settings, and across races and ethnicities. Also known as "crank," "meth," "Tina," and "ice," the drug has been abused by Americans for over 50 years.

What does crystal meth do?
It speeds up the body’s functioning by increasing the heart rate and pulse, increasing wakefulness, and intensifying concentration and thought processes. It elevates the mood and provides a high or a feeling of euphoria. It stimulates the part of the brain that is responsible for pleasure and reward, fine motor control, sex drive, and increased energy levels. It can also cause increased irritability, restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, and panic. At high doses, it can induce a confused and disorganized behavior, paranoia, hallucinations, increased aggressiveness and antisocial behaviors. Overdoses are relatively common. Symptoms include agitation, hostility, hallucinations, high temperature, convulsions, suicidal tendencies, circulatory and respiratory collapse, coma, and possible death.

What Are the Effects of Methamphetamine Use?
This is a list of effects associated with pure methamphetamine use. Because of how it's made, crystal meth is never pure, so the dangers associated with taking the street drug extend beyond these effects.

Common Immediate Effects

• Euphoria
• Increased energy and alertness
• Diarrhea and nausea
• Excessive sweating
• Loss of appetite, insomnia, tremors, jaw-clenching
• Agitation, irritability, talkativeness, panic, compulsive fascination with repetitive tasks, violence, confusion
• Increased libido
• Increased blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, blood sugar levels
• Constriction of the walls of the arterties
• In pregnant and nursing women, methampetamine crosses the placenta and is secreted in breast milk

Effects Associated with Chronic Use

• Tolerance (needing more of the drug to get the same effect)
• Drug craving
• Temporary weight loss
• Withdrawal symptoms including depression and anhedonia
• "Meth Mouth" where teeth rapidly decay and fall out
• Drug-related psychosis (may last for months or years after drug use is discontinued)

Effects of Overdose

• Brain damage
• Sensation of flesh crawling (formication)
• Paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, tension headache
• Muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) which can lead to kidney damage or failure
• Death due to stroke, cardiac arrest or elevated body temperature (hyperthermia)
• While coming down off the drug (crashing) users identify feelings of being “hung over;” in there lesser form these feelings would manifest as lack of motivation, exhaustion, but over time may develop into paranoia, depression, irritability and anxiety. Sometimes users have complained of physical side effects such as cramps, nausea and dizziness.