Methamphetamine and Meth Labs
Health effects

Immediate (short-term) effects of methamphetamine abuse may include:

  • Increased attention and decreased fatigue
  • Increased activity
  • Decreased appetite
  • Euphoric feeling and a "rush"
  • Increased respiratory rate
  • Dangerously high body temperature
  • Convulsions
Long-term (chronic) effects of methamphetamine abuse may include
  • Anxiety and anxiousness
  • Severe weight loss
  • Changes to brain and central nervous system
  • Damage to heart or other major organs
  • Tremor or uncontrolled motor activity
  • Hallucinations
  • Mood disturbances, including homicidal or suicidal thinking
  • Violent and/or paranoid behavior
  • Amphetamine psychosis
Symptoms of withdrawal may include:
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Paranoia
  • Aggression
  • Intense drug craving

(Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Research Report on Methamphetamine Abuse, 2002)

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Updated Thursday, 28-Mar-2013 06:49:25 CDT