Illicit/Illegal Drugs
- Cannabis
- Dissociative Drugs
- Club Drugs a.k.a. Date Rape/Predatory Drugs
- Ecstasy
- Hallucinogens (Mushrooms and LSD/Acid)
Cannibis
Other Common Names: marijuana, “pot”, “weed”, “grass”
Marijuana is the dried shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant. It is smoked, eaten or vaporized to release its active ingredient, a chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. It also contains another 400 chemicals, some of which are carcinogenic. Pot is a mind altering drug (psychoactive). The THC triggers the brain cells to release dopamine which is what creates the “high”. The drug is illegal in most states and is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States, though conversations for legalization for medical use or decriminalization occur throughout the country regularly and have resulted in medical use policy.
Effects
Marijuana can cause euphoria, increased heart rate, impaired or reduced short- term memory and distorted perception. It can also cause the reaction time to slow, blood shot eyes, throat and mouth to become dry, a relaxed feeling, and can cause the user to become hungry and thirsty.
- Sleepiness
- Difficulty keeping track of time,
- Reduced ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and coordination, such as driving a car
- Potential cardiac dangers for those with pre-existing heart disease
- Decreased social inhibitions
- Paranoia, hallucinations
- Impaired or reduced comprehension
- Altered motivation and cognition, making the acquisition of new information difficult
- Psychological dependence
- Impairments in learning, perception, and judgment
- difficulty speaking, listening effectively, thinking, retaining knowledge, problem solving, and forming concepts
- Intense anxiety or panic attacks
Risks
Long term use can cause cancer, lung and airway problems (including respiratory infections), impaired immune system, memory impairments, anxiety, panic attacks and fertility issues. Users also report lack of motivation or difficulty setting and reaching goals.
- Enhanced cancer risk
- Decrease in testosterone levels and lower sperm counts for men
- Increase in testosterone levels for women and increased risk of infertility
- Diminished or extinguished sexual pleasure
- Psychological dependence requiring more of the drug to get the same effect
- Increase risk of psychosis and schizophrenia
Additional marijuana
- Resources at UNH
- http://teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_mj1.php
- http://www.drugabuse.gov/DrugPages/Marijuana.html
- http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html
- http://www.streetdrugs.org/html%20files/Marijuana.html
- http://www.drugabuse.gov/MarijBroch/Marijteens.html
Dissociative Drugs
Dissociative drugs include such drugs as etamine and PCP. They can cause a person to feel disassociated from their body, or feel detached from his/her surroundings.
Effects
Dissociative drugs can produce feelings of detachment such that users experience distortions of space, time and body. Some report feeling invulnerable or to have exaggerated strength while others may become confused, experience panic, anxiety and depression.
Risks
Dissociative drugs like PCP are often associated with violent behavior. Users experience similar metabolic effects as hallucinogens along with blurred vision, dizziness, and a decreased awareness of pain. At higher doses, loss of coordination and severe muscle contractions along with kidney damage can occur. At very high does, convulsions, coma, hyperthermia and death can result.
Additional information on dissociative drugs...
Club Drugs a.k.a. Date Rape/Predatory Drugs
Predatory drugs is a term used to identify drugs that can be used to facilitate sexual assault. They include such drugs as Rohypnol, GHB, Ketamine. These drugs can cause blackouts, leaving the person with no recollection of what happened. They are colorless and odorless when mixed with water, although they do sometimes have a salty taste. When mixed with soda, alcohol, or other beverages they become virtually undetectable. They metabolize quickly and become difficult to detect in as little as 12 hours.
Effects
Ketamine causes distortion in perception. In high doses it can cause delirium and amnesia. GHB and Rohypnol are both sedating drugs.
Risks
Abuse of GHB can cause coma and seizures, while Rohypnol can incapacitate users and cause amnesia. If Rohypnol is mixed with alcohol it can be lethal. Some of these drugs can produce anterograde amnesia, in which individuals may not remember events they experienced while under the influence of the drug, one reason why they are linked with sexual assault and considered predatory. Another major issue with these drugs is the uncertainty about their contents including sources, chemicals, and possible contaminants. This can make it difficult to determine their toxicity and possible side effects.
Additional information on club drugs
Ecstasy (MDMA)
Other Common Names: “E”, “X”, “XTC”
Ecstasy comes in tablet or capsule form. It is a synthetic drug that has stimulant and psychoactive properties. Its chemical make-up is similar to that of methamphetamine.
Effects
Ecstasy can cause increased euphoria, energy, and emotional warmth, as well as distortion in time perception and tactile experiences. It also causes nausea, chills, sweating, and muscle cramping. In high doses it can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature, which on rare occasions can lead to death.
Risks
Long term use can cause impaired memory and learning, hyperthermia, cardiac and liver toxicity, along with renal failure. It can also lead to malnutrition, skin disorders, ulcers and vitamin deficiencies. Panic, paranoia, hallucinations, and psychotic behavior are also associated with heavy use.
Additional Information on Ecstasy
- http://www.drugabuse.gov/DrugPages/MDMA.html
- http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/ecstasy.html
- http://teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_xtc1.php
- http://www.streetdrugs.org/html%20files/Ecstasy.html
Hallucinogens
This category of drugs includes LSD, mescaline and psilocybin mushrooms. They are known to alter a person’s state of perception and mood.
Mushrooms:
Other Common Names: “shrooms”, “caps”, “magic mushrooms”
The main drugs found in shrooms are psilocybin and psilocin. There are many species of these mushrooms containing varying amounts of these drugs, as well as uncertain amounts of other chemicals. Mushrooms are typically taken orally often being eaten or brewed as tea.
Effects
There is often a feeling of nausea before the desired high, which is often mild and causes distorted feelings and perceptions. This includes hallucinations, altered perception of time, as well as impairment of motor functions. These effects begin within 20 minutes and can last up to 6 hours. “Flashbacks” which are reoccurrences of previous hallucinations can occur even after only one use.
Risks
Hallucinogen Persistent Perception Disorder (HPPD) more commonly known as “Flashbacks” are reoccurrences of previous hallucinations, and can occur even after only one use. Long term use can also result in persistent psychosis. The effects of mushrooms can be unpredictable and largely depends on the particular mushrooms used and the age and preservation of the extract. This can sometimes lead to a “Bad Trip” which can include terrifying thought distortions and intense feelings of anxiety, despair, death or losing control.
Additional information on mushrooms and other hallucinogens
- http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/Drug_Guide/Mushrooms
- http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/hallucinogens.html
- http://www.streetdrugs.org/html%20files/Tryptamines.html
LSD (Acid)
LSD (d-lysergic acid diethylamide) comes in many forms. It is made in tablets, capsules, liquid, and on absorbent paper, and therefore is usually taken orally. It is one of the most potent mood changing chemicals, and is derived from a fungus that grows on grains.
Effects
After taking a dose of LSD the person typically experiences a “trip” which can last up to 12 hours. During these “trips” the person will experience unpredictable psychological effects including delusions and hallucinations. Most often a drug induced psychosis will be produced where users hear, see, and smell things that are not real. Most notable are the effects hallucinogens have on emotions which can shift rapidly from fear to euphoria and on the senses which are highly intensified.
Risks
Users of LSD may experience increased body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, numbness and tremors, and sleeplessness. Respiratory failure or death due to careless or accidental behaviors can also occur. “Bad trips” and Hallucinogen Persistent Perception Disorder (HPPD) as seen in the hallucinogenic mushrooms may also occur.
Additional information on LSD
