What’s the Difference Between Meth and Cocaine
Meth and cocaine are two powerful drugs that impact millions of lives each year. While both are stimulants that can make people feel energized and alert, they affect the brain and body differently.
This guide to meth vs coke explores the histories, effects, and potential dangers of the substances. It also highlights the main difference between cocaine and meth and shows you how to get compassionate and effective treatment for stimulant addiction.
Cocaine is a CNS (central nervous system) stimulant made from the coca plant, mainly grown in South America. Indigenous cultures have used coca leaves for centuries to reduce hunger and increase alertness [1]. Cocaine is known for its addictive qualities and intense effects on the brain and body. It’s classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States [2].
Cocaine has a long and complex history. Ancient Incan tribes in the Andes chewed coca leaves to help endure the harsh conditions of high-altitude environments. By the 1800s, scientists learned how to isolate cocaine from the coca plant, creating a powerful drug that quickly gained attention.
In the late 1800s, cocaine was used in various products. It was an ingredient in early Coca-Cola recipes and was promoted as a medicine to relieve pain and boost energy. Doctors and scientists thought it could help people feel better and work longer hours. By the early 1900s, though, the dangers of cocaine were apparent. People using the drug showed signs of severe health issues and addiction, leading to a government ban on cocaine in the U.S. in the 1920s [3].
Despite this, cocaine re-emerged in the 1970s as a popular recreational drug, especially among young people. Cocaine spread through social scenes and nightclubs, fueled by powerful drug cartels. The demand for cocaine rose, and so did illegal trafficking, making cocaine one of the most used illicit drugs worldwide. Even today, the global cocaine trade impacts lives and communities, fueling crime and addiction around the world.
Cocaine (coke) is a stimulant that affects the brain’s reward system. It mainly targets dopamine, a chemical messenger responsible for pleasure and motivation. Dopamine normally makes people feel joy and satisfaction. When someone uses cocaine, the drug blocks the brain from recycling dopamine, causing it to build up between the brain cells. This increase in dopamine creates an intense rush of euphoria, energy, and confidence.
The cocaine high doesn’t last long, though. The effects fade within 20 to 30 minutes. Once the high wears off, dopamine levels drop drastically, triggering a crash that leaves the person feeling exhausted, anxious, or depressed. Many people end up using more cocaine to avoid this crash, provoking a cycle that often leads to dependence and addiction [4].
Cocaine’s effects can also cause physical complications. The drug raises blood pressure, increases heart rate, and constricts blood vessels, which can provoke severe health problems like heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory failure. Long-term cocaine use can cause lasting damage to the brain’s dopamine system, which may lead to mood disorders, memory problems, and intense cravings that make it challenging to quit.
Methamphetamine (meth) is a highly addictive CNS stimulant with severe and long-lasting effects on the body and brain. Although it was developed for medical purposes, meth has become one of the most misused drugs worldwide. Its powerful addictive properties and damaging side effects make it especially dangerous for those who become dependent on it.
Meth has a history that begins in the late 1800s. German scientists first created amphetamine in 1887, and a more potent version—methamphetamine—was developed in Japan in 1919 [5]. Meth’s stimulant effects made it appealing for medical and military uses. During WWII, both German and Allied forces used meth to help soldiers stay awake during long missions. Many soldiers became dependent on the drug, which led to lasting health issues. After the war, leftover supplies of meth were released to the public, leading to an early wave of addiction in Japan.
In the 1950s and 1960s, meth became popular in the United States, where it was prescribed for conditions like depression, attention issues, and obesity. Known then as speed, meth was marketed as a way to boost energy and control weight. That said, the dangers of meth became increasingly clear, and doctors observed that people rapidly developed tolerance and dependence on it. By the 1970s, the U.S. government banned most uses of meth due to its high risk of abuse and severe side effects [6].
Even with these restrictions, meth continued to spread. Motorcycle gangs and drug cartels set up illegal labs, especially in California, making meth more accessible and affordable. In the 1990s and 2000s, meth abuse surged in rural and suburban areas across the United States. Small, illegal meth labs became common, prompting significant public health and safety concerns. Today, meth is mainly produced in large-scale labs and trafficked across borders, with meth addiction impacting millions of people worldwide.
Meth is a stimulant that affects the CNS, creating intense feelings of energy, alertness, and euphoria. Like cocaine, meth affects the brain’s dopamine system, but it does so with more intensity. When someone uses meth, it triggers a massive release of dopamine, leading to an intense and long-lasting high. Meth not only blocks the reuptake of dopamine but also increases its release, intensifying and extending the effects.
The high from meth can last anywhere from 8 to 24 hours, depending on the dose and the method of use. This extended effect is one reason meth is so addictive. As the drug’s effects fade, people often feel intense irritability, fatigue, and depression. To avoid this crash, many people take more meth, creating a cycle that can quickly lead to addiction.
Meth use takes a heavy toll on the body. It raises heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, straining the heart and other vital organs. Long-term meth use can damage the brain, leading to memory loss, emotional instability, aggression, and psychosis—a mental state where someone has hallucinations and feels extreme paranoia [7]. Chronic meth use can also cause meth mouth, a condition where teeth and gums decay due to dry mouth, teeth grinding, and poor dental hygiene [8].
Beyond physical health, meth’s addictive nature can lead to destructive behavior, affecting relationships, work, and overall quality of life. The drug’s powerful hold on the brain makes it tough to quit without professional help, and people who stop using meth often experience strong cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
When comparing meth vs coke, there are many similarities, including:
While meth and cocaine share many similarities, they also have some major differences and unique risks. These include:
If you or someone you care about need help getting back on track from meth or cocaine addiction, reach out to California Detox. We treat all addictions and mental health issues in an immersive inpatient setting, helping people achieve lasting recovery from drug addiction.
Our medical program streamlines stimulant withdrawal, addresses physical dependence, and prepares you for ongoing treatment.
After detox at our luxury facility in Laguna Beach, California, you will tackle the psychological side of addiction and learn healthy coping skills. Therapies may include:
Begin your recovery right away by calling 888-995-4208.
[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/cocaine
[2] https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234755/
[4] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8583742/
[5] https://www.narconon.org/drug-information/methamphetamine-history.html
[6] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4440680
[7] https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-are-long-term-effects-methamphetamine-misuse
[8] https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/odh/documents/meth-mouth.pdf
[9] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11224198/
"*" indicates required fields