Crystal meth is an illegally produced methamphetamine used as a narcotic throughout the world.  In New Zealand, it is known by the street name ‘P’ although other globally recognised names like crack, ice and meth are also used. Methamphetamines are a category of drugs that stimulate the central nervous system (CNS) by triggering a flood of the brain hormone known as dopamine. While prescription methamphetamines are used as scheduled medication in the treatment of certain behavioural disorders like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), crystal meth is a crude and concentrated narcotic.

How does crystal meth work?

Crystal meth targets the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine. By triggering these cells to suddenly release a large amount of dopamine, the user feels a euphoria, often termed as a ‘high’. Dopamine is produced and released by the neurons in the brain’s pleasure centres and is released in moderate quantities during pleasurable activities like sex and eating. However crystal meth triggers such a flood of dopamine that it induces an altered state.

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