Here’s How Meth Use Can Affect the Brain and Lead to Mental Health Issues

Methamphetamine, or meth, is a powerful and addictive stimulant. About 1.8 million people in the U.S. have a methamphetamine use disorder. And many more people have used meth at least once. In fact, it’s one of the most misused drugs in the world. 

Meth use can lead to a range of physical and mental health issues. For example, people who use meth over a long period of time are at risk of developing psychosis with symptoms similar to those seen in schizophrenia.

What does meth do to your brain?

Meth triggers your brain to release large amounts of dopamine — a natural chemical in your body that affects motivation, pleasure, and movement. Dopamine is part of the brain’s “reward response system.” When you do something pleasurable, your brain releases dopamine, reinforcing the feeling of pleasure. 

Dopamine likely plays a role in why people repeat rewarding and pleasurable behaviors and activities, which explains why meth can lead to substance misuse. When someone uses meth, they feel euphoric and energized, but only for a brief period of time. The desire to experience that pleasurable feeling again can lead to repeated use and addiction. 

What does meth do to your body?

Meth is a stimulant that affects your central nervous system, including your brain and spinal cord. Stimulants are substances that speed up your body’s functions. This means that meth can cause changes to your body, like:

• Increased mental alertness, focus, or energy

• Decreased appetite

• Euphoria, or an extreme sense of pleasure and well-being

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But meth can also lead to more serious and life-threatening symptoms. These powerful effects make meth overdose a real risk. Meth stays active in your body for a long period of time. So, there’s no standard period of time for when an overdose may happen. It can happen quickly after use or hours later.

What is meth-induced psychosis? 

Methamphetamine and other substances can cause drug-induced schizophrenia. Meth-induced psychosis may occur in more than 1 in 3 people who use meth. Though more research is needed to better understand how often it happens. 

Psychosis is the presence of hallucinations, delusions, or both:

• Hallucinations: When you’re seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t really there.

• Delusions: These are beliefs that don’t match up with reality. For example, someone might believe their thoughts or actions are being controlled by another person.

How long does meth psychosis last?

Exactly how long meth-induced psychosis lasts depends on a range of factors, including the presence of other mental health disorders, history of meth use, and treatment. Symptoms of meth-induced psychosis can last for months or even years after someone stops using meth. 

Treatment for meth psychosis and schizophrenia

Treatment for schizophrenia and meth use disorder can sometimes overlap. But it’s important to work with a healthcare professional to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. 

Treatment options can include: 

• Case management services, such as housing and vocational assistance

• Therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

• Family support 

• Treatment and management of any other condition, such as anxiety of depression

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• How to help someone with methamphetamine (meth) use disorder: Learning about substance use disorders is an important first step in deciding how to help.

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• How to recognize a meth overdose: A meth overdose can be life-threatening. Here’s what to do.

There are also medications approved to treat schizophrenia, including antipsychotics. Medication treatment works best when combined with social support and therapy. 

There’s no specific medication to treat meth use disorder, though medications may be used during medical detox. Medical detox aims to safely manage the physical effects of withdrawal after someone stops using meth. 

What are the short-term effects of using meth?

Some short-term effects of meth may include:

• Decreased appetite 

• Nausea 

• Fast heartbeat

• High blood pressure (hypertension) 

• Increased body temperature

• Dilation of pupils

• Disturbed sleep patterns 

• Violent, bizarre, and erratic behavior

• Hallucinations and irritability 

• Seizures, convulsions, or death from high doses

How much meth is needed to cause these effects can vary between people. The minimum dose that causes these side effects depends on things like how much meth is used and over what period of time. A large dose in a short amount of time can cause these effects. Taking smaller doses over a longer period can also cause them.

What are the long-term effects of using meth?

Using meth over a long period of time can lead to physical changes in your body. It can also change how the dopamine system in your brain works. 

Over time, people who use meth may experience:

• Problems with memory and learning

• “Meth mouth,” which can include dental problems, jaw pain, and changes to the structure of your face

• Skin sores

• Weight loss

• Sleeping problems

• Paranoia, or extreme and unreasonable distrust of others

• Irritability

• Confusion

Can you recover from the long-term effects of meth use?

With treatment and time, you may be able to recover from some of the long-term effects of meth use. More research is needed to better understand what type of recovery is possible. But one thing is clear: abstinence (not using meth) is a crucial first step.

Quitting and avoiding further use can be very challenging. But you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re trying to help a loved one or are recovering yourself, there are resources that can help. Consider contacting the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Mona Bapat, PhD, HSPP

Mona Bapat, PhD, HSPP, has 15 years of clinical experience providing therapy. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in Indiana and Illinois with treatment experience in individual, couples, family, and group therapy modalities.

Edited by:

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN, is a California-based registered nurse and staff medical editor at GoodRx, where he focuses on clinical updates and Latino health.

Reviewed by:

Farzon A. Nahvi, MD

Farzon Nahvi, MD, is an emergency medicine physician and author of “Code Gray: Death, Life, and Uncertainty in the ER.” He works at Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire, and teaches at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.

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