However, meth use does not always lead to euphoria. Learn more about what doing meth feels like and what meth does to the body.
The Meth High
Like most addictive substances, methamphetamine can give users a feeling of pleasure, confidence, and energy beyond what they normally experience. And like other misused substances, meth can also have unpleasant and harmful short-term and long-term effects. The “meth high” involves both physical and psychological changes, many of which are caused by the effects of methamphetamine on the brain and nervous system. People who use methamphetamine may experience some, but not necessarily all, of these effects.
Euphoria or Emotional Blunting
Euphoria is the enticing feeling that most people who are use methamphetamine come to crave. Methamphetamine stimulates the brain, creating a rewarding feeling that motivates people to want to do the drug again. In contrast, some people find that their emotions are blunted when they use meth—meaning that they become less aware of their feelings. This can be a motivating factor for people who want to escape painful memories or difficult life circumstances. One of the ironies of methamphetamine addiction is the tendency for people to seek out more of the drug to escape their negative emotions. The experience of not caring can provide temporary relief to someone who is burdened by stress and worries. Disorganization and chaos can quickly escalate in the lives of people who use methamphetamine as they become addicted. Over time, using meth can impair normal functioning and get in the way of people taking proper care of themselves. They may not be aware of how they appear to others and sometimes even stop performing basic self-care activities, such as brushing their teeth. Severe tooth decay (colloquially called “meth mouth”) in people who regularly use meth is common. Emotional blunting (or not caring) can interfere with relationships that healthy adults cherish, such as those with partners and children. People who regularly use methamphetamine might also stop going to work or school or paying the bills.
A Misplaced Sense of Empowerment
While they are under the influence of meth, people may have the illusion of being more powerful and productive than they actually are. While this experience might feel good at the time, it can cause problems in reality. Meth can make people feel more socially outgoing, talkative, and self-confident, but it can simultaneously cause them to behave bizarrely. People often become distant from positive social relationships. Unaware that they appear ridiculous to others, many people who use meth ultimately lose contact with anyone other than fellow methamphetamine users. Methamphetamine also can make people delusional. Their grasp on reality changes and may even erode. While they might feel superior to or better than other people (sometimes called grandiosity), they can also become anxious, paranoid, and aggressive.
Physical Stimulation or Tweaking
Being high on meth also makes people feel different physically. In addition to a general feeling of stimulation, methamphetamine can cause changes to a person’s heart rhythm or breathing. People using the drug can experience sweating and feelings of being very hot or cold, as well as nausea and vomiting. While some of these symptoms of meth intoxication can be unpleasant, repeated meth use causes the brain to associate the physical sensations with the pleasurable feelings of the meth high. The sleep deprivation common among people who use methamphetamine can worsen mental health problems such as anxiety, delusions, and hallucinations. People high on meth often are very fidgety (sometimes referred to as “tweaking”) and can sometimes experience formication (a sensation of insects crawling under the skin). Repetitively picking at their skin can lead to open wounds that later scar. These scars are known as “meth sores” and are characteristic of people who regularly use meth. When methamphetamine intoxication is taken to the extreme, the experience can be dangerous. In particular, there is a risk of heart problems, seizures, and even death from overdose.
Weight Loss
One of the reasons some people are attracted to methamphetamine is that it can be an appetite suppressant. People may perceive themselves as more attractive when they lose weight. While a person’s physical appearance often deteriorates as they continue to use methamphetamine, the initial feeling of being in control and losing weight can create a sense of well-being. People who use meth often lack awareness of the changes in their physical appearance. They often do not realize when they have started to show the adverse effects of the drug such as a frail or gaunt appearance.
Sexual Effects
The sexual effects of meth can be attractive to people who live with sex addiction. While methamphetamine can be sexually stimulating, it can also lead to sexual dysfunction and a loss of libido. Considerable attention has been given to the use of meth in the gay community (commonly known as party and play or “PnP”). There is particular concern about HIV and other STI risk in this population.
Dosage Problems
Methamphetamine is produced in clandestine or home labs—meaning there is no way to predict how toxic or strong it’s going to be. The uncertainty can lead people to take more of the drug than they intended, with potentially devastating results. Taking a stronger dose of meth can increase a person’s tolerance. The next time they use, more of the drug is needed to get the same high. When the drug is stopped, withdrawal is more intense (the physical side of the addiction). In the same vein, taking more of the drug than intended can lead to an accidental overdose, which can be life-threatening.
Long-Term Effects
The long-term use of meth can lead to serious negative effects on the brain and body. Meth causes changes in the brain’s reward system, which results in dependence and addiction. This means that when a person tries to stop using meth, they will experience symptoms of drug withdrawal. Meth use can also contribute to psychiatric symptoms, including mood disturbances, anxiety, psychosis, insomnia, and confusion. Research has found that it also leads to cognitive deficits, including impaired learning and damage to areas of the brain associated with emotion and memory. It can also have physical effects as well. Meth use is associated with cardiovascular problems, dental problems, premature aging, and an increased risk for stroke and Parkinson’s disease.
Getting Help
Methamphetamine can be highly addictive. When people stop taking it, symptoms of withdrawal can include anxiety, fatigue, depression, psychosis, and intense cravings for the drug. If you know someone who is using methamphetamine, understanding how it makes them feel might help you approach and communicate with them about getting help. People who use meth are often reluctant to stop using it—even when they know it is not good for them. People who have developed a physical dependence on the drug can experience severe withdrawal effects if they try to stop, requiring additional support to abstain from use. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
