Overview of Drugs and Their Effects

Cannabis (Marijuana)

• Psychoactive drug derived from Cannabis plant
• Common uses:
  • Recreational: relaxing and euphoric effects
  • Medicinal: pain relief, anti-nausea

Alcohol

• Legal, widely consumed psychoactive substance
• Effects:
  • Depresses central nervous system
  • Relaxation, lowered inhibitions
• Risks:
  • Excessive use: addiction, liver damage

Nicotine

• Stimulant found in tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes)
• Effects:
  • High addiction potential
  • Dopamine release: pleasure, relaxation
• Health Risks:
  • Lung cancer, cardiovascular issues, preventable diseases

Heroin

• Illegal opioid derived from morphine
• Effects:
  • Powerful euphoria, pain relief
  • Addiction, respiratory failure, severe health problems

Methamphetamine (Meth)

• Potent central nervous system stimulant
• Effects:
  • Increased energy, focus; highly addictive
  • Severe health consequences: cardiovascular issues, dental problems, mental health issues

PCP

• Dissociative anesthetic
• Effects:
  • Hallucinations, delirium, distorted reality perceptions
  • Unpredictable behavior, long-term mental health effects

Steroids (Anabolic-Androgenic)

• Synthetic variations of male sex hormone (testosterone)
• Uses:
  • Medical purposes
  • Non-medical (e.g., sports): cardiovascular issues, mood swings

Nitrous Oxide

• Dental anesthetic; dissociative drug
• Effects:
  • Brief euphoria, altered perception
  • Risks: vitamin B12 deficiency with prolonged use

Psilocybin Mushrooms (Shrooms)

• Contain hallucinogenic compound psilocybin
• Effects:
  • Altered perceptions, vivid hallucinations, spiritual insight
  • Low physical harm; possible psychological consequences

LSD

• Potent hallucinogenic drug
• Effects:
  • Alters perceptions, mood; long-lasting effects
  • Intense, colorful hallucinations; unknown long-term psychological effects

MDMA (Ecstasy)

• Synthetic drug altering mood and perception
• Effects:
  • Euphoria, increased energy, emotional warmth
  • Risks: dehydration, high body temperature

Lean

• Combination of codeine-based cough syrup, soda, candy
• Effects:
  • Sedation due to codeine
  • Risks: addiction, respiratory depression
• Media influence: glorified by rappers; overdose risk

DMT

• Powerful hallucinogenic found in certain plants
• Effects:
  • Intense, short-lived psychedelic experiences; spiritual/mystical
  • Relatively rare; profound personal insights reported

Cocaine

• Powerful stimulant
• Effects:
  • Increases energy, focus, euphoria
  • Risks: cardiovascular issues, addiction, physical/mental health problems

Ketamine

• Dissociative anesthetic
• Uses:
  • Medical: anesthetic for horses
  • Recreational: trans-like state, hallucinations, k-hole (deep dissociative state)
  • Risks: cognitive issues, disorientation

MDA

• Psychedelic amphetamine similar to MDMA
• Effects:
  • Empathy, increased energy; more hallucinogenic
  • Risks: unknown long-term effects

Salvia Divinorum

• Hallucinogenic plant
• Effects:
  • Short-lived, vivid hallucinations, altered perceptions
  • Legal status varies; effects like DMT but less studied

Kratom

• Tropical tree from Southeast Asia
• Effects:
  • Stimulant or sedative: dose-dependent
  • Uses: pain relief, managing opioid withdrawal; addiction concern

GHB

• Central nervous system depressant
• Effects:
  • Relaxation, euphoria
  • Risks: respiratory failure, severe consequences with overdose

DXM

• Cough suppressant
• Effects:
  • Dissociative, hallucinogenic in high doses
  • Risks: addiction, respiratory problems

NBOMe (N-Bombs)

• Synthetic hallucinogenic mimicking LSD
• Effects:
  • Intense hallucinations
  • Risks: seizures, organ failure; higher toxicity than LSD

Synthetic Cannabinoids (Spice/K2)

• Synthetic cannabinoids on plant material
• Effects:
  • Marijuana-like high; unpredictable, dangerous effects (anxiety, hallucinations)

Krokodil

• Synthetic opioid derived from codeine
• Effects:
  • Severe health consequences: tissue damage, gangrene, skin issues

Bath Salts

• Synthetic drugs mimicking cathinones
• Effects:
  • Increased energy, altered perceptions
  • Risks: hypothermia, cardiovascular issues

Ayahuasca

• Psychoactive brew (DMT, MAO inhibitor)
• Uses:
  • Traditional Amazonian shamanic rituals; prolonged DMT effects
  • Risks: potential psychological and physical effects, vomiting, diarrhea

LSA

• Psychedelic compound in morning glory seeds
• Effects:
  • Altered perceptions, hallucinations
  • Risks: nausea, vomiting with ingestion

Fentanyl

• Potent synthetic opioid
• Effects:
  • Pain management; high overdose risk with illicit production

Datura

• Contains tropane alkaloids; hallucinogenic
• Effects:
  • Intense, delirious experiences
  • Risks: high toxicity, adverse effects

Poppers (Amyl Nitrite)

• Recreational inhalant
• Effects:
  • Short-lasting head rush, euphoria
  • Risks: headaches, dizziness

Xanax (Alprazolam)

• Benzodiazepine for anxiety, panic disorders
• Effects:
  • Calming, sedative
  • Risks: addiction, respiratory depression, memory issues