What does methamphetamine mean?
Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant in the amphetamine family that primarily affects the central nervous system. Its effects include increased alertness, energy, and concentration, but also potentially dangerous changes in heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and behavior. Methamphetamine is highly addictive, and chronic use can lead to serious physical and psychological problems, including cardiovascular strain, sleep disruption, psychiatric illness, and continued compulsive drug-seeking despite harm. The formal name is used in medical, scientific, legal, and public-health contexts, while meth is the common informal term; crystal and ice are also used for illicit, often crystalline forms. The word is closely related etymologically to amphetamine, and methamphetamine can be understood chemically as a methylated derivative of that drug. It is important not to confuse methamphetamine with methadone, which is an opioid rather than a stimulant.
nounA highly addictive stimulant drug of the amphetamine class that affects the central nervous system. It is also known informally as meth and is sometimes called crystal meth because of its commonly encountered crystalline form.
- The stimulant drug methamphetamine itself, including its illicit forms and the crystalline substance commonly sold as crystal meth.
"The report described methamphetamine as a powerful and potentially lethal stimulant."
"Methamphetamine trafficking is a major concern for law-enforcement and public-health agencies."
"The medical worker explained the risks of methamphetamine use to patients in the clinic."
The plural is used when referring to multiple types, samples, seizures, or supplies of methamphetamine; in general discussion about the drug, the singular form is more usual.
"The authorities seized several methamphetamines during the investigation."
Methamphetamine is the stimulant behind the notorious street name crystal meth, a nickname that reflects the drug's commonly encountered crystalline appearance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does methamphetamine come from?
Methamphetamine belongs to the amphetamine family of stimulant drugs. Its name combines the methyl prefix with amphetamine, reflecting its chemical relationship to amphetamine as an N-methyl derivative. Amphetamine itself takes its name from a combination of Greek letters and the chemical term phenethylamine; related chemical names such as phenethylamine and methylamine reflect the same scientific vocabulary.
Related word forms
How methamphetamine is actually used
The formal term is methamphetamine. Informally, it is widely called meth; other informal names, including crystal and ice, can refer to particular illicit forms or presentations. The drug is illegal to manufacture, possess, and distribute in many jurisdictions, and its nonmedical use is associated with severe health and social harms.
Easily confused with methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a methylated form of amphetamine and generally has a stronger, more prolonged stimulant effect on the central nervous system.
Methamphetamine is a stimulant, whereas methadone is an opioid used primarily to manage opioid dependence and pain.