10. Opium
Opium is a drug made from the poppy plant. Opium is made by drying the latex contained with in the opium poppy. It contains morphine usually about 8-10% by weight. This is what makes opium addictive. It also contains some codeine and other alkaloids. Typically opium is smoked in order to vaporize the morphine and get high (or relieve pain). Opium was also used in other ways. For instance Laudanum was a solution of opium in alcohol that was used as a way to consume opium (and thus morphine). Like morphine, heroin, and oxycodone, opium is addictive and causes tolerance and dependence.
09. Marijuana
Marijuana is derived from the Indian hemp plant, Cannabis sativa, a member of the Cannabaceae family. All types of cannabis strains – both male and female plants – produce THC, the active ingredient that, when smoked or ingested, intoxicates the user. This substance can be detected in every part of the plant, including the stems. The highest concentration of THC, however, is found in the resin, which is most abundant in the flowers of female plants. Marijuana cannot be easily classified. It is described as a psychogenic (a cannabinoid), a narcotic (although it does not contain opium), and a hallucinogen (the USA government’s designation). Each of these definitions, however, is a compromise. Opinion is further divided on whether the drug is a CNS stimulant or a depressant. Controversy also rages over marijuana’s medicinal properties, which are alleged and denied fiercely by proponents and detractors, respectively. One fact remains indisputable: marijuana is the most abused illegal drug in the world.
08. Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug. Meth can cause an individual to have a general sense of well being. In addition it will increase ones physical activity while decreasing their appetite. Used over an extended period of time methamphetamine can cause high blood pressure and lead to permanent damage to blood vessels that are located in the brain. This can ultimately result in strokes and death.
07. Peyote
Peyote is a small, spineless cactus, Lophophora williamsii, whose principal active ingredient is the hallucinogen mescaline. From earliest recorded time, peyote has been used by natives in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States as a part of traditional religious rites. Mescaline can be extracted from peyote or produced synthetically. The top of the cactus above ground — also referred to as the crown — consists of disc-shaped buttons that are cut from the roots and dried. These buttons are generally chewed or soaked in water to produce an intoxicating liquid. Once ingested, peyote can cause feelings of nausea before the desired mental effects appear, which are altered states of perception and feeling. Other effects can include increased body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure; loss of appetite, sleeplessness, numbness, weakness, tremors. Effects can be different during each use due to varying potency, the amount ingested, and the user’s expectations, mood and surroundings.
06. Cocaine
Cocaine is a strong central nervous system stimulant that increases levels of dopamine, a brain chemical (or neurotransmitter) associated with pleasure and movement, in the brain’s reward circuit. Powder cocaine (also called coke), freebase and crack are all forms of cocaine. They’re all powerful stimulants, with short-lived effects – that means they temporarily speed up the way your mind and body work. Both ‘freebase’ cocaine (powder cocaine that’s been prepared for smoking) and ‘crack’ cocaine (a ‘rock’ like form of cocaine) can be smoked. This means that they reach the brain very quickly, while snorted powder cocaine gets to the brain more slowly. All types of cocaine are addictive, but by reaching the brain very quickly freebase or crack tend to have a much stronger effect and be more addictive than snorted powder cocaine. Injecting any form of cocaine will also reach the brain more quickly but this has serious additional risks. It raises the body’s temperature, makes the heart beat faster and reduces your appetite. When the effects start to wear off, people experience a long ‘comedown’, when they feel depressed and run down. This crash can happen for days afterwards.
05. LSD
LSD stands for its chemical name, lysergic acid diethylamide, and is commonly called ‘acid’. It’s a powerful hallucinogenic drug – this means that users are likely to experience a distorted view of objects and reality, including seeing and sometimes hearing things that aren’t there (these are hallucinations). The experience of taking LSD is known as a ‘trip’. Trips can be good or bad, but until you take it you don’t know how it will affect you – and once it’s started you can’t stop it. Physical effects include increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; sleeplessness; and loss of appetite. It is sold as tablets, capsules, liquid, or on absorbent paper. LSD produces unpredictable psychological effects, with “trips” lasting about 12 hours.
04. GHB
GHB, also known as 4-hydroxybutanoic acid and sodium oxybate (INN), is a naturally occurring substance found in the human central nervous system, as well as in wine, beef, small citrus fruits, and almost all animals in small amounts. It is also categorized as an illegal drug in many countries. GHB usually comes as an odorless liquid, slightly salty to the taste, and sold in small bottles. It has also been found in powder and capsule form. It is classified as a sedative-hypnotic, and was originally developed as a sleep-aid. At lower doses GHB has a euphoric effect similar to alcohol, and can make the user feel relaxed, happy and sociable. Higher doses can make the user feel dizzy and sleepy, and can sometimes cause vomiting, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. Overdoses will always cause loss of consciousness (temporary coma), and will slow down breathing. Sometimes, and particularly if mixed with alcohol, GHB can slow breathing down to a dangerously low rate, which has caused a number of deaths.
03. Magic Mushrooms
Magic Mushrooms are also known as shrooms and contain a substance psilocybin that produces an LSD-like effect in users. Magic mushrooms have been used as millennia and were promoted by psychologist Timothy Leary for psychological use in 1960s. Possession of psilocybin-containing mushrooms was outlawed in 1968. After picking, magic mushrooms are often eaten raw or are dried out and stored. Some people use the dried mushrooms to make tea. Most people take between 1-5 grams. Your sense of time and movement can speed up – or slow down. Colours, sounds and objects appear distorted. You may feel disoriented, tired or sick – and some users can get stomach pains or diarrhoea. People don’t tend to eat fly agaric mushrooms raw as they can make you feel really sick and also because there is a greater risk of poisoning and death from this family of mushrooms.
02. Ecstasy
MDMA or Ecstasy (3-4-methylenedioxymethampheta-mine), is a synthetic drug with amphetamine-like and hallucinogenic properties. It is classified as a stimulant. Ecstasy comes in a tablet form that is often branded, e.g. Playboy bunnies, Nike swoosh, CK. Taken in pill form, users sometimes take Ecstasy at “raves,” clubs and other parties to keep on dancing and for mood enhancement. Users report that Ecstasy produces intensely pleasurable effects — including an enhanced sense of self-confidence and energy. Effects include feelings of peacefulness, acceptance and empathy. Users say they experience feelings of closeness with others and a desire to touch others. Other effects can include involuntary teeth clenching, a loss of inhibitions, transfixion on sights and sounds, nausea, blurred vision, chills and/or sweating. Increases in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as seizures, are also possible. Cardiovascular failure has been reported in some of the Ecstasy-related fatalities. After-effects can include sleep problems, anxiety and depression.
01. Heroin
Heroin is a highly addictive drug derived from morphine, which is obtained from the opium poppy. It is a “downer” or depressant that affects the brain’s pleasure systems and interferes with the brain’s ability to perceive pain. It usually appears as a white or brown powder or as a black, sticky substance. It is injected, snorted, or smoked. Short-term effects of heroin include a surge of euphoria and clouded thinking followed by alternately wakeful and drowsy states. Heroin depresses breathing, thus, overdose can be fatal. Users who inject the drug risk infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.
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