Methamphetamine Facts
Stimulant;
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
- Call emergency services for chest pain, overheating, seizure, or unresponsiveness
- Move them to a cool, quiet place and reduce stimulation
- Cool the body — remove excess clothing, apply cool damp cloths, fan them
- Keep them calm; reassure — panic worsens the cardiovascular strain
- If seizing, protect from injury (don't restrain); recovery position afterward
- 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