Meth or Methamphetamine is an extremely addictive illegal drug. Also known as crank, speed, and crystal meth, Meth affects the central nervous system. Meth is a man made substance that is often produced in home and clandestine laboratories. It can be made into powder or pills, which can be swallowed, snorted, smoked or injected.



Meth is extremely dangerous, not only to the user, but also to the people around them. In the past, users would get meth that was brought in from other countries. Recently however, people are starting their own labs here in the United States. These people are finding recipes that include extremely combustible ingredients such as common household products, like paint thinner and starter fluid.

These ingredients are blended and cooked over heat to produce Meth. Meth labs are highly flammable.

They can lead to huge explosions that could potentially cause damage to buildings and surrounding people. Also, many meth makers will purposely set their labs on fire if they are in danger of being caught by law enforcement officials.

One other ingredient that is found in meth is pseudo ephedrine. Pseudo ephedrine is the main and most common ingredient found in many over the counter medicines such as cold and allergy medicine. Meth makers grind the pills up. Meth has become such a problem in the United States. Many states require pharmacies and stores to put products containing pseudo ephedrine behind the counter of a pharmacy. If people want the product then they have to provide proper identification. There is also a limit on how much of the product can be purchased in a month.

Meth can have devastating affects on the body. It affects the part of the brain that produces hormones that cause feelings of euphoria or extreme happiness. Because of these favorable feelings, users often become addicted quickly. Meth can take different amounts of time to work, depending on how it is used. Snorting achieves the quickest high. However it not a true high as it does not last very long. Smoking Meth produces a high in as little as ten seconds and the results probably last the longest of any of the methods.

Meth has a severe effect on the central nervous system. It can make the body thing it has way more energy than it does. However, it really depletes the body of energy. Meth, like cocaine, is a powerful stimulant. There are many negative side effects related to the use of Meth. Users will invariably suffer from nausea, diarrhea, excessive sweating, panic attacks, and even increased sexual appetites, and more. Chronic or long term users often suffer from weight loss, tooth decay, and brain damage among other things. Chronic users often become gaunt and sickly looking.

In addition to the effects that meth has on the user, meth can also affect the people around them, especially meth is being cooked in the home. Fumes can cause brain damage. Pregnant women who use meth often have children with severe learning disabilities and developmental delays.