T H E   E F F E C T S Let’s back up. What is Crystal exactly? Crystal meth is the most powerful form of speed available. It’s an amphetamine that excites the brain and nervous system by releasing dopamine into the body. As a prescription drug, it comes in tablet or capsule form called Desoxyn®. As a street drug, it’s made in down and dirty labs and sold as an injectable or snortable powder and a smokeable crystal form called “ice.” What many guys don't know is that dealers often cut crystal with toxic fillers such as drain cleaner, antifreeze, lantern fuel, Epsom salts or battery acid to come up with a ratio of 1 part pure, 3 part filler. How do you take it? Swallowing Timing: takes 20-30 minutes to get high. Taken in pill form or, mixed into a drink. Method that presents least amount of risk. Drug is absorbed more slowly. Effects are less extreme but last longer. Bumping and Snorting Timing: 3-5 minutes to get high. Powder inhaled directly through the nose and quickly absorbed into the body. Method offers similar risks to injecting since sharing inhalers can spread diseases like HIV and Hep B& C. Snorting also destroys nasal passages. Users may eliminate the risk of spreading disease by cleaning inhaling instruments in between use. Smoking Timing: 7 to 10 seconds to get high. Inhaled and quickly spread through the blood stream. Method may present irritation to the lungs leading to breathing problems. Those with breathing disorders are at higher risk for complications through this method. Users may eliminate some risk by keeping in mind the speed in which it takes to get off and that the high is more intense and more addictive. Try to set limits on how much and how often you smoke. Booty Bump Timing: 10 to 15 seconds to get high. Absorbed into the blood stream through the lining of the rectum by injecting a needle-free syringe filled with liquid crystal into your butt. Method presents a high risk of damaging rectal membranes that may tear, ultimately putting you at risk of getting or giving HIV. If you bottom after a booty bump, make sure you don’t do it bareback. Have him wear a condom. Shooting up Timing: 15 to 30 seconds to get high. Drug is injected directly into the viens/blood stream with a needle or syringe. Could also be injected directly into the muscle, called “muscling” or under the skin, called “skin popping.” Injecting into the veins is the most risky because it bypasses all of the body’s defense systems .Other risks include: skin abscesses, dirty needles/transmission of diseases like HIV, Hep B&C, air bubbles that can get into your system and stop your heart and contaminants that will be injected directly into your blood. Use a needle exchange program to eliminate some of the risk of spreading disease. Hot Rail Timing: 7 to 10 minutes to get high. Drug is heated in a glass stem until red hot and then inhaled through the nose. Method presents the same risks as smoking; lung irritation/nasal passage irritation. Also, intense heat may burn you or someone else. The stem can become contaminated and transmit HIV and Hep C. Use your own stem to reduce your risk, or wash it in between uses/users. Physical Effects Your brain When you take crystal, brain chemicals or neurotransmitters are released into the bloodstream around the brain cells. Physical effects may include the dilation of pupils, getting “goosebumps,” rise in body temperature and constricting blood vessels. Concerns of long term use include: damage to nerve cells, depletion of neurotransmitters, paranoia, psychosis and increased chance of stroke. Your heart If crystal is injected into the blood stream, the drug travels directly to the heart causing a high feeling within about 30 seconds. Physical effects include constriction of veins and arteries which reduces blood flow and increases blood pressure, faster heartbeat and possible blood clotting. Physical dangers include risk of arrhythmia (heart out of rhythm) or heart attack. Your lungs Inhaling crystal causes the air passages to open up and increases your intake of oxygen, offering the same effect as when you’re exercising. The ingredients used to make crystal can actually block the lungs blood vessels. Long term use can permanently reduce the amount of air the lungs are able to take in. Your digestive system Using crystal slows down the digestive tract as well as the breakdown of food. This results in feeling less hungry and thirsty. Dangers include constipation, diarrhea, dehydration, malnutrition and cramping. Your liver The liver breaks down crystal into simpler components. However, crystal competes with other drugs in your system and cannot break down large amounts of toxic substances at the same time. When this happens, toxic substances are allowed into your blood stream which can cause dangerous drug interactions and overdose. Dangers include heart attack, stroke, coma and/or death. Your kidneys The kidneys filter your blood by excreting liquid waste. Crystal constricts the blood vessels of the kidneys so that less urine is excreted and toxic waste is allowed back into your system. Toxic blood in the brain can cause headaches and mental confusion. Long term use may cause bladder infections and inflamed kidneys. Your oral health Many complain of dry mouth when taking crystal. This is a physical effect where you produce less saliva and more acid in your mouth. These acids can cause tooth decay, gum disease, bone and tooth loss. Poor oral health is especially risky during oral sex because infections can easily develop. If you have poor oral health, use a condom when performing oral sex. back to top