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Methamphetamine Facts

Stimulant; Substituted amphetamine; Dopamine releasing agent

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 5 mgLight5 – 10 mgCommon10 – 25 mgStrong25 – 50 mgHeavy50+ mg

Starts in 15 – 30 minLasts 8 – 12 hoursAfter-effects 6 – 24 hours

Also recorded: Rectal · Smoked · Insufflated · Intravenous. See full page: psychedex.org/substances/methamphetamine

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
High
Chronic toxicity
High
Physical dependence
Moderate
Psychological dependence
High
Withdrawal
Moderate
Compulsive redosing
High

Tolerance

Builds
Rapid
Fully resets after
14 days
Carries over to
amphetamine; cocaine; methylphenidate; MDMA

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Dreaming suppression; +6 possible
Body
Stimulation; Appetite suppression; Vasoconstriction; Pupil dilation; Wakefulness; Dry mouth; Insomnia; +21 possible, including Dehydration sensation, Excessive sweating, Muscle tension
Thinking
Cognitive euphoria; Thought acceleration; +26 possible, including Compulsive redosing urge, Cognitive dysphoria, Cognitive impairment
Feeling
Euphoria; +9 possible, including Depression, Anhedonia, Anxiety
Self
Craving; +11 possible, including Ego inflation, Compulsive repetitive behavior, Social disconnection
Time
none likely · 3 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Awareness
One-pointedness (ekaggata); Sustained attention (vicara); +2 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Concurrent MAOI therapy; Severe cardiovascular disease; Psychotic disorders; Hyperthyroidism; Glaucoma; Concurrent MAOI use
Relative
Arrhythmia or cardiomyopathy; Arrhythmia; Seizure disorders; Epilepsy; Concurrent serotonergic medications; Bipolar disorder; Pregnancy

Combinations60 recorded

Lethal (6)
MAOIs; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; Psychedelics; SNRIs; Stimulants
Dangerous (33)
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Anticholinergics; Atypical antipsychotics; Caffeine; Dopamine agonists; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Local anesthetics; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NRIs; Opioids; SSRIs; 5-HTP, Tryptophan; Antihistamines; Antipsychotics; Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates; Buspirone; Cannabis; Clonidine, Guanfacine; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; L-Tyrosine; and 9 more, see full page
Caution (18)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/methamphetamine
Not graded (3)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

  • Chest pain; racing, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
  • Very high body temperature; heavy sweating; hot, flushed skin
  • Severe agitation, paranoia, panic, or confusion
  • Severe headache; muscle rigidity or twitching
  • Seizures
  • Signs of stroke — face drooping, one-sided weakness, slurred speech
  • Difficulty breathing; collapse or unconsciousness

What to do

  1. Call emergency services for chest pain, overheating, seizure, or unresponsiveness
  2. Move them to a cool, quiet place and reduce stimulation
  3. Cool the body — remove excess clothing, apply cool damp cloths, fan them
  4. Keep them calm; reassure — panic worsens the cardiovascular strain
  5. If seizing, protect from injury (don't restrain); recovery position afterward
  6. Monitor breathing and be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR

Most stimulant overdoses settle with cooling, a calm environment, and time. The medical danger is hyperthermia, cardiac events (arrhythmia, heart attack, stroke), and seizures — get help immediately if any appear.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

psychedex.org/substances/methamphetamine · Version r1 · Not medical adviceValues as of
On the printout