what does meth do

Meth is a powerful stimulant that speeds up the brain and body. It can cause a short-lived rush of energy or euphoria, but it also raises the risk of serious health problems, addiction, and overdose.

What it can do right away

• Increase heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.

• Cause less sleep, less appetite, and a stronger sense of alertness or confidence.

• Trigger anxiety, paranoia, agitation, or violent behavior.

Longer-term effects

• Damage the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and lungs.

• Lead to memory, attention, and judgment problems.

• Cause severe dental damage, often called “meth mouth,” and skin sores from scratching.

• Produce psychosis, hallucinations, and mood crashes that can last long after use stops.

Overdose danger

Meth overdose can cause dangerously high body temperature, convulsions, stroke, heart attack, and death. Injecting it also increases the risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infections.

If this is about someone now

If a person has chest pain, trouble breathing, seizures, extreme agitation, confusion, or is not waking up, call emergency services right away. If you want, I can also give you a plain-language list of warning signs of meth use.