Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that is chemically similar to amphetamine. It is made by several methods, but the most common method involves the use of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, which are chemicals found in some cold and allergy medications.
To make methamphetamine, ephedrine or pseudoephedrine is mixed with other chemicals such as hydrochloric acid, sodium metal, and lithium to create an intermediate product called phenyl-2-propanone (P2P). This intermediate product is then mixed with other chemicals such as hydrochloric acid, iodine, and hydrochloric anhydride, and heated to produce methamphetamine.