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MethMethamphetamine - amphetamine with the addition of a methyl group on the molecular chain, which gives it a potent effect. causes the brain to quickly release a huge amount of certain brain chemical messengers known as neurotransmittersThe chemical messangers which are involved in the transmission of signals from one brain cell (neuron) to the next, and are involved in memory, movement, feelings of pleasure, sleep, pain control etc., and keep them circulating for a long time.

Neurotransmitters are released from a neuron, travel across a small space known as a synapse, and attach to another neuron that’s been programmed to accept it – called a receptor. The neurostransmitters affected by meth are dopamineA brain chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) involved in the control of physical movement, thinking, motivation, and feelings of pleasure or reward., which is responsible for memory, concentration, behaviour, and feelings of pleasure, and noradrenalineA neurotransmitter produced by the adrenal glands that increases energy and alertness, and prepares the body to respond to a threat. which prepares the body to fight or run away from a threat (‘fight or flight’ mode). MethMethamphetamine - amphetamine with the addition of a methyl group on the molecular chain, which gives it a potent effect. also affects serotoninNeurotransmitter involved in mood, appetite, temperature and sleep regulation; thinking and perception; physical activity; pain control; and sexual behaviour..

Dopamine

Dopamine controls movement, keeps our attention focused and our memory working well. It’s also responsible for feelings of pleasure when we do things that are essential for our survival such as eating, drinking, and sex: when we feel good we’re motivated to do these things again.

Noradrenaline

Noradrenaline is the ‘fight or flight’ neurotransmitter that prepares us to respond to threats.  It increases heart rate and blood pressure, widens air passages in the lungs, dilates the pupils to improve vision, and narrows blood vessels in organs that aren’t needed for defence such as the stomach.

Serotonin

Serotonin regulates temperature, blood pressure, and appetite; helps us to sleep, think, and to perceive our environment accurately. It’s also involved in how we tolerate pain and sexual behaviour.  Importantly, it helps us to regulate our emotions. 

So...?

MethMethamphetamine - amphetamine with the addition of a methyl group on the molecular chain, which gives it a potent effect. quickly raises the level of these neurotransmittersThe chemical messangers which are involved in the transmission of signals from one brain cell (neuron) to the next, and are involved in memory, movement, feelings of pleasure, sleep, pain control etc. and also blocks the neuron’s natural ability to reabsorb the excess - known as 're-uptake'. Normal physical processes are accelerated and users often have little appetite, are wide awake, and feel energetic, confident, sociable and euphoric.

The problem is that there are only so many of these neurotransmittersThe chemical messangers which are involved in the transmission of signals from one brain cell (neuron) to the next, and are involved in memory, movement, feelings of pleasure, sleep, pain control etc. stored at any one time - think of a glass full of ‘happy’ messengers - so after a while the glass empties and even if a person uses meth, he or she will still feel pretty awful. There are just too few neurotransmittersThe chemical messangers which are involved in the transmission of signals from one brain cell (neuron) to the next, and are involved in memory, movement, feelings of pleasure, sleep, pain control etc. left to tell the brain to feel good. It’s like overdrawing a bank account – no matter how many times you go back to the bank, the balance is still zero until a deposit is made.

So, it takes rest, a good diet, and most of all time for neurons to restock neurotransmitter stores. Until then, people can feel pretty flat, moody, irritable, forgetful, restless and exhausted: kind of the opposite feeling you'd expect to get from using meth. This is also when people often get strong meth cravings.