Can You Eat Meth? Guide to Parachuting Meth and Its Effects and Dangers
There are several ways to take crystal meth, including snorting and injecting the drug. But can you eat meth? This blog post will explore a form of meth use known as “parachuting,” the dangers that are associated with it, and how to get help today.
Are you or a loved one struggling with a meth addiction? The caring and compassionate intake specialists at Zinnia Health are standing by to help walk you through the next steps. Recovery is possible with Zinnia Health. Call us now at (855) 430-9439.
What Is Parachuting Meth?
According to the National Library of Medicine, parachuting meth is an unusual method of ingesting methamphetamine through the mouth.
Parachuting is a term used to describe wrapping meth (or any drug) in some sort of edible paper, like a tissue, and then swallowing it whole.
It takes about 20-30 minutes for the high to kick in when consuming meth this way.
What Are the Side Effects of Crystal Meth?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the side effects of meth — no matter how you ingest it — include:
- Euphoria
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Aggressive behavior
- Dilated pupils
- High blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Increased physical activity and energy
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Mood swings
- Psychosis
Worried about any of the above side effects of meth? Browse Zinnia Health’s treatment programs now. We offer a number of therapies and treatments, including detox, inpatient, and outpatient programs.
What Are the Side Effects and Risks of Parachuting Meth?
There are also side effects and risks more likely to occur when parachuting or eating meth, such as:
- Excessive talking
- Dry mouth
- Fast breathing
- Irregular heartbeat
- Intense feelings of pleasure
- Dark-colored urine
- Agitation
- Constipation
- Pounding in the ears
The health risks of eating meth include:
1. Overdose
Swallowing meth leads to a delayed onset of the drug’s side effects. Due to this delay, users typically ingest larger amounts of the substance than normal because they think they need higher doses. This significantly increases the risk of a meth overdose.
2. Heart Attack
Methamphetamine can have significant effects on the cardiovascular system, especially when it’s ingested orally, because it causes heart rate and blood pressure to spike. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke, especially in meth users with pre-existing heart conditions.
3. Obstructed Bowels
One of the lesser talked about side effects of meth is splanchnic vasoconstriction, which is another effect of increased heart rate and blood pressure that can cause blood vessels in the spleen to narrow, leading to obstructed bowels.
Symptoms of obstructed bowels include:
- Abdominal cramps that come and go
- Swollen abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Inability to have a bowel movement
- Inability to pass gas
4. Stomach Pain and Issues
Meth consumption can also have dangerous effects on the stomach. A study published in the Hawaii Journal of Medicine and Public Health finds that a 19-year-old went to the emergency department with stomach pain. Healthcare professionals found he had developed paralytic ileus after eating meth. This condition makes it unable for the bowels to contract as they should.
The study suggests this happens because of the dopamine and norepinephrine released when someone uses meth, which results in a decrease in the small bowel’s ability to contract, leading to constipation.
Short-term meth use can also cause diarrhea.
5. Hepatitis
Another side effect of eating meth is liver inflammation and liver damage. This often escalates to hepatitis B or hepatitis C, according to the National Institutes of Health.
6. Brain Damage
One of the long-term effects of chronic meth use is neurological damage. This happens because of how meth interferes with the brain’s natural ability to produce dopamine. When the brain is unable to produce dopamine on its own, the following side effects can occur:
- Violent behavior
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Confusion
- Insomnia
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Suicidal thoughts
Why Do People Parachute Meth?
According to the Department of Justice, most people smoke crystal meth with a glass pipe. Some users choose to inject the drug. In rare cases, people eat or parachute meth for the following reasons:
1. Milder High
The effects of smoking, snorting, and injecting meth are felt almost instantly. They are also very powerful.
Meth is a stimulant drug that prompts the brain to produce large amounts of dopamine, especially when meth is consumed in traditional ways.
Eating meth still causes the body to produce more dopamine. But, when eaten, the crystal meth must pass through the digestive system before it enters the bloodstream. This means the high will be delayed and, therefore, milder than other methods.
2. No Access to Paraphernalia
Some meth users may feel cravings or urges for the drug at inopportune times when they don’t have their pipe or other paraphernalia with them.
People who are addicted to meth feel as if they must act on their cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, they look for ways to get high even when they don’t have their typical instruments. This causes some meth users to eat the drug.
What Are the Treatment Options for Meth Addiction?
Although meth addiction is a nasty disease, help and healing are possible. Examples of effective treatment include:
- Inpatient treatment: People who have been using meth for a long time or have histories of substance abuse and don’t live in an environment conducive to sobriety benefit the most from inpatient treatment. During this type of treatment, you will live at a recovery center for a pre-determined amount of time and receive addiction treatment, counseling, medication-assisted treatment, detox, and other treatment methods that work for you.
- Outpatient treatment: Outpatient treatment is similar to inpatient, except you live independently, and treatment is scheduled around your work, school, and family commitments.
- Detox: Detox is a critical step in recovery. During this process, a team of healthcare professionals will monitor you while your body rids itself of the methamphetamine. Medications, such as methadone, are often used during detox to help mitigate the symptoms of withdrawal.
- Therapy: There are a number of different therapies available for meth addiction, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), individual counseling, family counseling, group therapy, music therapy, yoga therapy, art therapy, wilderness therapy, 12-step programs, and support groups.
Get Help With Meth Addiction Today
If your drug use has been spiraling out of control, Zinnia Health is here for you. Our team of mental health and substance abuse professionals is experienced in treating a wide range of addictions and co-occurring behavioral health disorders.
Contact us today to learn more about our treatment services. Heal for good with Zinnia Health.
Related Articles
- Methamphetamine Abuse Treatments
- What Is Liquid Meth?
- What Are the Meth Street Names, Nicknames & Slang Terms?