What is Crystal Meth/Tik (Methamphetamine)

Methamphetamine is a drug manufactured in illegal meth labs using toxic household and off- the –shelf pharmaceutical substances. This drug is a white, odourless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder/crystals that dissolves easily in water or alcohol. This substance is wrapped in small plastic bags.

The street names for the drug are Tik or Crystal Meth and has a high level of methamphetamine that enters the brain making it a potent stimulant drug. The pleasurable effect of this drug on the brain are a result of the high levels of neurotransmitter dopamine. Methamphetamine releases approximately 12 times the dopamine that food, sex, or other pleasurable activities release.

This substance provides the user with sustained energy, increasing alertness, wakefulness, and a general sense of well-being. It masks the body’s need for food, water, or rest, it mirrors the body’s natural “fight or flight” response and increases alertness and concentration.

The side effects caused by using this drug are anxiety, irritability, insomnia, paranoia, grinding teeth, obsessive picking of the face or body creating sores and hallucinations

Withdrawal symptoms is severe paranoia and psychosis, followed by a deep depression when coming down and not sleeping for days because of the use.