What is Crystal Meth And Why Is It So Addictive?

Authored by Dillon McClernon

There are no medical uses for crystal meth. Its contents and appearance can vary by manufacturer. 

“Crystal meth is always synthetic (not organic) and illegally manufactured,” Deni Carise, PhD, chief science officer at Recovery Centers of America and an adjunct associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, tells WebMD Connect to Care. “Because all crystal meth is illicitly manufactured in clandestine street labs, there are no standards.” ….

The drug boosts the release of a neurotransmitter called dopamine, leading to an increase of this chemical in the brain. Dopamine is associated with motor function, motivation, reward, and the brain’s pleasure centers. 

“Crystal meth causes an intense elevated or euphoric mood that is much stronger than cocaine,” Carise says. “Experiencing these unnatural levels of dopamine causes a strong desire to continue using the drug. It becomes addictive because your body experiences intense cravings to maintain the extremely euphoric state, which often results in constant redosing and binge-like behavior to achieve that goal.” 

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Authored by

Dillon McClernon

Dillon currently serves as the Senior Director of Sales and Marketing at RCA. After his tenure as Chief Communications Officer and senior advisor to RCA, he opted for a full-time position at RCA where he could build a new team linking sales and marketing to directly impact RCA’s mission of saving 1 million lives.