The effects of crystal meth use

Crystal meth use produces increases in energy and alertness and a decrease in appetite. An intense rush is felt, almost instantaneously, when a user smokes or injects methamphetamine. Snorting methamphetamine affects the user in approximately 5 minutes, whereas orally ingesting methamphetamine takes about 20 minutes for the user to feel the effects. The intense rush and high felt from crystal meth results from the release of high levels of dopamine into the section of the brain that controls the feeling of pleasure. The effects of crystal meth can last up to 12 hours. Side effects of crystal meth use are convulsions, dangerously high body temperature, stroke, cardiac arrhythmia, stomach cramps, and shaking.