Top 5 Facts About Meth

“Breaking Bad” is, of course, the adorable little show about a chemistry teacher who turns to making and selling meth so he can leave his family some money after he dies. Well as it turns out, people may love it a little too much, as an increase in DEA arrests and seizures coincide with the airing of the show. Throughout the early 2000s, the DEA made about 1,500 kg of seizures a year, and about 30,000 arrests. However, from 2010-2013, around the height of “Breaking Bad's” popularity, meth seizures were up between 50% and 220%, while total drug arrests also rose by about 1000 per year. Of course, we’ll never know if Breaking Bad caused this surge, but I’m willing to bet Saul Goodman also saw a bump in his business.

Add smoking meth to the list of bad things that get worse when you’re pregnant or nursing. As it turns out, meth has the ability to secrete from the bloodstream into a woman's breast milk, meaning that addict mothers are literally feeding their child methamphetamine, and while we're not doctors, that's probably not a good idea. It also has the ability to cause premature birth and even withdrawal symptoms in the baby. Not to mention the disgusting meth mouth and the scabs that result from the feeling that spiders are crawling under your skin.

“Breaking Bad's” setting of Albuquerque, New Mexico provides the show some gorgeous vistas, but the breathtaking scenery is not the only the reason the show is set there. New Mexico actually has a long and interesting history regarding the use of meth. In the 1980s, after meth was deemed illegal, the drug started coming in from Mexican cartels, and New Mexico provided a perfect avenue for smuggling. In the 1990s, when meth became stronger, the greatest use was seen in the Southwestern United States, and in the 2000s, meth remains the favored hard drug in the Western US. So while Albuquerque may be beautiful, there is definitely a real-life seedy underbelly attached to it.

While “Breaking Bad” can make creating meth seem like a grand ol' murderous time, it's actually a very dangerous and highly toxic event. Simply breathing in these toxic fumes can do irreparable damage to the nasal passage, lungs, and brain, hence the use of gas masks. Not only have there have been countless explosions and deaths attributed to improper meth manufacturing, but a single pound of the drug can produce five to seven pounds of toxic waste. These are often dumped on the ground or deposited into rivers, resulting in undrinkable water, and toxic vapors can even be absorbed into walls and furniture, creating a toxic environment for the building’s next unsuspecting tenants. It costs authorities roughly $4,000 to clean up one meth lab.

Nazis on meth– that’s not the just a great title for a grindhouse film, it’s historical fact. Meth was given to German soldiers in tablet form under the trade name Pervitin, resulting in soldiers that were energetic, felt invincible, and could fight all night. It was especially given to Luftwaffe pilots to promote alertness and reduce battle fatigue. What's crazier than that is that meth is still being prescribed in the United States today, and not just to soldiers. That's right; prescribed under the trade name Desoxyn, methamphetamine hydrochloride is indicated for obesity and ADHD in adults and children. Good luck getting a marijuana prescription in most places though.

So, which one of these facts surprised you the most? If you clicked on this video, you're probably either a fan of Breaking Bad, or a meth addict. If you're a fan, click here to visit our friends at Wisecrack, and watch their smart, hilarious series revealing the hidden meaning behind each season of the Breaking Bad. If you're a meth addict, then my training as a video host does not qualify me to advise you, but I imagine that clicking the link won't hurt. Finally, for more habit-forming top 10s and smuggled-out-of-Mexico top fives, be sure to subscribe to Watchmojo.com.
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