What Does Meth Taste Like? Identifying Meth by Taste

What Does Meth Taste Like? Even though it’s not a good idea or safe to taste meth to identify it, knowing the possible flavor profile associated with meth can help with narcotics detection.


Methamphetamine, which is more commonly called “meth,” is a highly addictive stimulant drug that can be found in powder, crystals, or tablets. Even though it is not safe or recommended to taste or eat meth to figure out what it is, knowing how it might taste can make you more aware of suspicious substances and help you figure out what they are.

What Does Meth Taste Like?

While it’s not wise or safe to taste meth for identification purposes, being aware of the potential flavor profile associated with meth can aid in detecting illicit substances.

Chemical Taste

Methamphetamine has a chemical taste because it reacts with the taste receptors in the mouth and how it is made. Methamphetamine is a drug made in a lab and contains many different chemicals. The bitter taste comes from how these chemicals react with the taste buds on the tongue.

Metallic

People usually think of methamphetamine as bitter, but some may say it tastes like metal. People often describe metallic taste as unique, like when a metal object touches the tongue.

Bitter

People often say that the bitter taste of methamphetamine is robust and unpleasant. It can leave a bitter taste in the mouth even after it has been swallowed. Bitterness stands out from other tastes, making it easy for people used to it to recognize.

What Affects How Meth Tastes

Several things can change how methamphetamine tastes, so people describe it differently. Among these things are:

  • Purity: How pure methamphetamine is can change how it tastes. Methamphetamine that is of higher quality may taste more pure and clean, while methamphetamine that is of lower quality or less pure may taste more unpleasant or bitter.
  • The way methamphetamine is made affects how it tastes. Taste can differ depending on how it was made, what chemicals were used, and whether or not there were any impurities.
  • Cutting Agents: To make more money, methamphetamine is sometimes mixed with other substances or “cut” with them. These cutting agents can add new flavors or tastes to the methamphetamine, changing its taste.
  • Contaminants: The taste of methamphetamine can be changed by contaminants or residues from the making process. These contaminants may come from the impurities in the chemicals used as starting materials or from the waste products of the synthesis process.
  • Individual Sensitivity: Everyone’s sense of taste is different, and different people may be more or less sensitive to the taste of methamphetamine. How a person sees and describes the taste of methamphetamine can be affected by their genes, personal experiences, and sensory preferences.

Meth Drug Facts

What is methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine (meth) is a stimulant. The FDA-approved brand-name medication is Desoxyn.


What is its origin?

Mexican drug trafficking organizations have become the primary manufacturers and distributors of methamphetamine throughout the United States, including Hawaii. Domestic clandestine laboratory operators also produce and distribute meth on a smaller scale. The methods used depend on the availability of precursor chemicals.


What are common street names?

Common street names include:

  • Batu.
  • Bikers Coffee.
  • Black Beauties.
  • Chalk
    Chicken Feed.
  • Crank.
  • Crystal.
  • Glass.
  • Go-Fast.
  • Hiropon.
  • Ice.
  • Poor Man’s Cocaine.
  • Shabu.
  • Shards.
  • Speed.
  • Stove Top.
  • .Tina.
  • Trash.
  • Tweak.
  • Meth.
  • Methlies Quick.

Methamphetamine is a Schedule II stimulant
under the Controlled Substances Act, which
means it has a high potential for abuse and a
currently accepted medical use (in FDA-approved products). It is available only through a prescription that cannot be refilled.

Today there is only one legal meth product, Desoxyn. It is currently marketed in 5, 10, and 15-milligram tablets (immediate-release and extended-release formulations) and has limited use in treating obesity and ADHD.

What does it look like?

Regular meth is a pill or powder. Crystal meth
resembles glass fragments or shiny blue-white “rocks” of various sizes.


How is it abused?

Meth is swallowed, snorted, injected, or smoked. Users may take higher drug doses more frequently or change their intake method to intensify the effects.


What is its effect on the body?

Taking even small amounts of meth can result in the following:

  • Increased wakefulness.
  • Increased physical activity.
  • Decreased appetite.
  • Rapid breathing and heart rate.
  • Irregular heartbeat.
  • Increased blood pressure.
  • Hyperthermia (overheating).

What is its effect on the mind?

Meth is a highly addictive drug with potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant properties. Those who smoke or inject it report a brief, intense sensation or rush. Oral ingestion or snorting produces a long-lasting high instead of a rush, which reportedly can continue for half a day.

Both the rush and the high are believed to result from the release of very high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine into areas of the brain that regulate feelings of pleasure. Long-term meth use results in many damaging effects, including addiction.

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Meth Abuse Statistics

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that can lead to serious physical and mental health problems and significant social and economic consequences. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), in 2020, approximately 1.5 million people aged 12 or older reported using methamphetamine in the past year.


2.6 million

Among people aged 12 or older in 2020, 0.9% (or about 2.6 million people) reported using methamphetamine in the past 12 months.

Source: 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health

1.5 million

Among people aged 12 or older in 2020, an estimated 0.6% (or about 1.5 million people) had a methamphetamine use disorder in the past 12 months.

Source: 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health

23,837

In 2020, approximately 23,837 people died from an overdose involving psychostimulants with abuse potential other than cocaine (primarily methamphetamine).

Source: CDC


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Is it dangerous to eat or taste meth?

Yes, it is hazardous to eat methamphetamine or taste it. Methamphetamine is a potent stimulant that can hurt the body and mind in many ways. It is usually meant to be inhaled, smoked, or injected. If you eat or drink methamphetamine, it can cause several health problems and risks.

Methamphetamine is very addicting and can make you feel very happy, give you more energy, and make you more aware. But it also makes the central nervous system work harder, which can have several harmful effects. These can include a fast heart rate, high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, a high body temperature, dilated pupils, anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, aggression, and even seizures or cardiac arrest.

Also, methamphetamine is often made in illegal labs with toxic chemicals and methods that can dirty the drug. When people eat or taste methamphetamine, they are exposed to these harmful chemicals, which can hurt different organs and systems in the body.

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Does meth taste like salt?

No, methamphetamine doesn’t taste like salt most of the time. Methamphetamine can taste different depending on how pure it is, how it was made, and if there are any additives or contaminants. People know that methamphetamine tastes bitter and like chemicals. Some people describe it as having a metallic taste or a “burning” feeling.

Taste alone is not a good way to tell if something is methamphetamine. Methamphetamine use is against the law and very dangerous, with serious health effects. If you think someone is using or involved with methamphetamine, the best thing to do is to get help from the right people or authorities.

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Treatment Options for Meth Abuse

At We Level Up, people abusing methamphetamine can get many treatment options. Our individualized approach focuses on addiction’s physical, mental, and emotional parts. Some services we offer for treatment are detox, one-on-one counseling, group therapy, family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and ways to keep from returning to using.

  • Detoxification: We give people a safe and supportive place to go through detox and deal with withdrawal symptoms.
  • Individual counseling: Our experienced therapists work one-on-one with clients to address the root causes of addiction, develop ways to cope, and promote personal growth and healing.
  • Group therapy: Group therapy sessions provide a safe, non-judgmental space to share their stories, learn from others’ experiences, and build a strong support network.
  • Family therapy: We include the family in treatment to improve communication, increase understanding, and build healthy relationships to help long-term recovery.
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps people recognize damaging thought patterns and behaviors accompanying drug use. It also helps them develop healthier ways to deal with stress so they don’t use drugs again.
  • Motivational interviewing is a method that helps people figure out why they want to make positive changes, get over their doubts, and commit to a healthier lifestyle.
  • Relapse Prevention Strategies: We give people the tools and skills they need to find triggers, deal with cravings, and make a personalized plan to avoid relapse so they can stay sober.
  • Dual Diagnosis Treatment: For people with substance abuse and mental health problems, we offer integrated treatment that simultaneously addresses both problems.

People who have two mental health disorders at the same time can also get help from us. Our team of experienced healthcare professionals is committed to helping people on their way to recovery and staying sober for life. Contact us to learn more about our programs for people who abuse methamphetamine.

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Sources

[1] What treatments are effective for people who misuse methamphetamine? | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (nih.gov) – https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine Learn More: What does meth taste like? / What does Crystal Meth taste like?

[2] Patterns and Characteristics of Methamphetamine Use Among Adults — United States, 2015–2018 | MMWR (cdc.gov) – https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6912a1.htm / Learn More: What does meth taste like? / What does Crystal Meth taste like?

[3] Know the Risks of Meth | SAMHSA – https://www.samhsa.gov/meth/ Learn More: What does meth taste like? / What does Crystal Meth taste like?

[4] Neurologic manifestations of chronic methamphetamine abuse – PMC (nih.gov) – Rusyniak DE. Neurologic manifestations of chronic methamphetamine abuse. Neurol Clin. 2011 Aug;29(3):641-55. doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2011.05.004. Epub 2011 Jun 24. PMID: 21803215; PMCID: PMC3148451. / Learn More: What does meth taste like? / What does Crystal Meth taste like?

[5] Drug Fact Sheet: Methamphetamine (dea.gov) – https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Methamphetamine-2020_0.pdf / Learn More: What does meth taste like? / What does Crystal Meth taste like?

[6] How Long Does Meth Stay In Your System? – 7 Stages & Effects (welevelup.com) – https://welevelup.com/addiction/how-long-does-meth-stay-in-your-system/ Learn More: What does meth taste like? / What does Crystal Meth taste like?

[7] Methamphetamine DrugFacts | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (nih.gov) – https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine / Learn More: What does meth taste like? / What does Crystal Meth taste like?

[8] Methamphetamine Research Report: Overview | NIDA (nih.gov) – https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/overview / Learn More: What does meth taste like? / What does Crystal Meth taste like?

[9] Meth Overdose Deaths Surge | NIH Record – https://nihrecord.nih.gov/2021/10/29/meth-overdose-deaths-surge / Learn More: What does meth taste like? / What does Crystal Meth taste like?

[10 ] Trends in U.S. methamphetamine use and associated deaths | National Institutes of Health (NIH) – https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/trends-us-methamphetamine-use-associated-deaths / Learn More: What does meth taste like? / What does Crystal Meth taste like?