What is Meth?

“Meth” is short for methamphetamine, which is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. What does meth look like? Well, it comes in several forms, including powder and crystalline (the latter often referred to as “crystal meth”) so identifying is a challenge. 

Methamphetamine is known by many names and nicknames, including:

• Meth
• Crystal meth
• Crystal
• Ice
• Glass
• Crank
• Tina
• Chalk
• Speed (though this can also refer to amphetamines in general)

Methamphetamine is chemically related to amphetamine, which treats certain medical conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy under strict medical supervision. However, it passes the blood brain barrier more easily, making it much more potent.

Here are some statistics surrounding crystal meth use in the United States:

• A 2009 study found that methamphetamine users were approximately nine times more likely to commit homicide.
• In 2021, 0.9% (or around 2.5 million individuals) of people aged 12 and up reported taking methamphetamine in the previous 12 months.
• Historically, methamphetamine has been a medication primarily taken by middle-aged White Americans. However in recent years, methamphetamine use has surged tenfold among Black Americans.
• In 2021, roughly 32,537 people died from a non-cocaine stimulant overdose. The majority of those incidents involved methamphetamine.

Under the Controlled Substances Act, methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule II drug. This means it has a high potential for abuse and addiction.

What Does Meth Look Like?

Identifying methamphetamine in a friend or loved one’s possession requires knowing what to look for in terms of its physical appearance. Meth commonly appears as a white to light brown crystalline powder or shiny blue-white rocks.

The powder form can sometimes resemble granulated crystals and might be mistaken for other innocuous substances, though it’s generally finer and more consistent in texture than most household powders. When found in the rock form, meth may look like shards of glass or clear-to-white rocks, which is why it’s often referred to as “ice” or “glass.”

Aside from what meth itself looks like, it’s also important to be able to recognize paraphernalia. For example, a meth pipe is an item commonly found in the possessions of a person addicted to meth. These pipes are often distinctive because meth vaporizes when heated, so there may be a lack of residue that you would typically find with other smoked substances.

You might also find aluminum foil with burn marks or straws with residue, which can be used for snorting or smoking the drug. Hypodermic needles or syringes could be an indication of injecting meth, which presents a high risk of transmitting infectious diseases if shared.

Why is Crystal Meth So Addictive?

When a person takes crystal meth they experience a huge release of dopamine. Dopamine is the “reward” neurochemical in the brain. The unnaturally high levels of dopamine reinforce the behavior of drug use, teaching the brain to repeat the action.

This massive dopamine surge, combined with how rapid tolerance is developed, is what makes crystal meth addictive.

Over time, meth can damage the dopamine receptors in the brain, making it difficult to experience pleasure from any other source. This effect can lead to users taking more of the drug in an attempt to achieve the same high, a behavior known as chasing the dragon, which only furthers the damage to their brain chemistry.

Crystal meth also has a longer duration of action compared to other stimulants, like cocaine, meaning that it stays in the brain longer and continues to affect the brain’s chemistry over an extended period. And finally, the withdrawal symptoms of crystal meth incentivize repeat-meth usage.