Methamphetamine is one of the most potent and addictive stimulants abused today. In the short-term, methamphetamine abuse can cause a rush or euphoric state and surges of energy. These pleasurable effects drive abuse of this drug. But even intermittent, recreational abuse can quickly turn into an addiction or a fatal overdose. But along with euphoria, methamphetamine use releases very high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the reward circuit, which “teaches” the brain to repeat the pleasurable activity of taking the drug. Dopamine is involved in motivation and motor function and its release in the reward circuit is a defining feature of addictive drugs.

The rush from modern versions of methamphetamine will hit the brain within 5–30 minutes after it is ingested, depending on how pure the drug is, the method of abuse, and other factors like age, metabolism, and tolerance to the drug. The high from meth lasts a very long time, often 6–12 hours. The dopamine surge caused by meth can lead to a serious mental, emotional, and physical crash after it wears off, and this can lead to a multiday binge called tweaking. Methamphetamine goes to work quickly, stimulating the central nervous system (CNS) to produce heightened physical and mental activity. Peak euphoric states are felt for five to 30 minutes, though individuals may feel certain feel-good effects for as long as six to 12 hours.
In comparison to other stimulant drugs like amphetamine, the effects of meth last longer and are felt more strongly. This combination makes meth very attractive to recreational drug abusers. But even in the short term, meth places a user’s body and brain under considerable strain.

Short-term effects of meth abuse include:
• appetite suppression
• bursts of energy
• dilated pupils
• dry mouth
• euphoria and rush
• excessive sweating
• extreme wakefulness
• greater attention
• headaches
• increased activity
• irritability
• sleeplessness
• talkativeness
• unpleasant breath
• unsafe sex
As a person’s CNS is stimulated it speeds up. This is why meth is often referred to as an “upper.” When the CNS goes into overdrive, a person’s blood pressure, breathing, heart and temperature rates become to climb. The heart rate may also become irregular. Methamphetamine can cause a person to act in unexpected and strange ways. Some individuals may become extremely paranoid, believing that everyone is out to get them. As meth makes a person more active, certain activities may be hard to control. Some individuals will begin to engage in repetitive and pointless tasks. People may also encounter uncontrollable physical movements, such as tremors or jaw clenching.