NICOTINE

Nicotine is a chemical that contains nitrogen, which is made by several types of

plants, including the tobacco plant. It is also produced synthetically.

Nicotiana tabacum, the type of nicotine found in tobacco plants, comes from the nightshade
family. Red peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, and potatoes are examples of the nightshade
family.

While not cancer-causing or excessively harmful on its own, nicotine is heavily addictive and
exposes people to the extremely harmful effects of tobacco dependency.

Smoking is the most common preventable cause of death in the United States.

When a body is exposed to nicotine, the individual experiences a "kick." This is partly
caused by nicotine stimulating the adrenal glands, which results in the release of
adrenaline.

This surge of adrenaline stimulates the body. There is an immediate release of

glucose, as well as an increase in heart rate, breathing activity, and blood pressure.

Nicotine also makes the pancreas produce less insulin, causing a slight increase in
blood sugar or glucose.

Indirectly, nicotine causes the release of dopamine in the pleasure and motivation
areas of the brain. A similar effect occurs when people take heroin or cocaine. The
drug user experiences a pleasurable sensation.

Dopamine is a brain chemical that affects emotions, movements, and sensations of

pleasure and pain. If your brain dopamine levels rise, the feeling of contentment is
higher.

Depending on the dose of nicotine taken and the individual's nervous system
arousal, nicotine can also act as a sedative.

Side effects
 Nicotine causes a wide range of side effects in most organs and systems.

The circulation of the blood can be affected in the following ways:

 an increased clotting tendency, leading to a risk of harmful blood clots

 atherosclerosis, in which plaque forms on the artery wall

 enlargement of the aorta

Side effects in the brain include:

 dizziness and lightheadedness

 irregular and disturbed sleep

 bad dreams and nightmares

 possible blood restriction

In the gastrointestinal system, nicotine can have the following effects:

 nausea and vomiting

 dry mouth, or xerostomia

 indigestion

 peptic ulcers

 diarrhea

 heartburn
The heart can experience the following after taking in nicotine:

 changes in heart rate and rhythm

 an increase in blood pressure

 constrictions and diseases of the coronary artery

 an increased risk of stroke

 If a woman smokes while pregnant, the following risks are likely in the development
of the child:

 obesity

 high blood pressure

 type 2 diabetes

 respiratory difficulties

 infertility

 problems with brain development

 behavioral issues

ALCOHOL

Alcohol is a drug.
It is classed as a depressant, meaning that it slows down vital functions—resulting in
slurred speech, unsteady movement, disturbed perceptions and an inability to react
quickly.

As for how it affects the mind, it is best understood as a drug that reduces a person’s
ability to think rationally and distorts his or her judgment.

Although classified as a depressant, the amount of alcohol consumed determines

the type of effect. Most people drink for the stimulant effect, such as a beer or glass
of wine taken to “loosen up.” But if a person consumes more than the body can
handle, they then experience alcohol’s depressant effect. They start to feel “stupid”
or lose coordination and control.

Alcohol overdose causes even more severe depressant effects (inability to feel pain,
toxicity where the body vomits the poison, and finally unconsciousness or, worse,
coma or death from severe toxic overdose). These reactions depend on how much is
consumed and how quickly.

ere are different kinds of alcohol. Ethyl alcohol (ethanol), the only alcohol used in
beverages, is produced by the fermentation of grains and fruits. Fermenting is a
chemical process whereby yeast acts upon certain ingredients in the food, creating
alcohol.
ALCOHOL CONTENT
Fermented drinks, such as beer and wine, contain from 2% alcohol to 20% alcohol.
Distilled drinks, or liquor, contain from 40% to 50% or more alcohol. The usual
alcohol content for each is:

Beer 2–6% alcohol

Cider 4–8% alcohol
Wine 8–20% alcohol
Tequila 40% alcohol
Rum 40% or more alcohol
Brandy 40% or more alcohol
Gin 40–47% alcohol
Whiskey 40–50% alcohol
Vodka 40–50% alcohol
Liqueurs 15–60% alcohol

Opiate drugs
When you have a mild headache or muscle ache, an over-the-counter pain reliever
is usually enough to make you feel better. But if your pain is more severe, your
doctor might recommend something stronger -- a prescription opioid.
Opioids are a type of narcotic pain medication. They can have serious side effects if
you don't use them correctly. For people who have an opioid addiction, their problem
often started with a prescription.
If you need to take opioids to control your pain, here are some ways to make sure
you're taking them as safely as possible.

How Opioids Work

Opioid drugs bind to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other areas of the
body. They tell your brain you’re not in pain.
They are used to treat moderate to severe pain that may not respond well to other pain
medications.
You may receive around-the-clock doses to manage pain throughout the day and night.
And your doctor may prescribe opioids to be taken "as needed" in case you have
"breakthrough" pain -- a flare of pain that you get despite round-the-clock doses.
While you're on opioid pain medications, check in with your doctor regularly. Your doctor
will need to know:

 How your pain is responding to the drug

 Whether you're having any side effects
 Whether you have any potential interactions or medical conditions that could
make you more likely to have side effects, such as sleep apnea, alcohol use, or
kidney problems
 Whether you're taking the drug properly
 Hallucinogens drugs

 Hallucinogens are drugs that alter the user’s thinking processes and
perception in a manner that leads to significant distortions of reality 1. These
drugs affect one’s perception far differently than many other types of drugs
do. To many, the influence of these drugs represents experiences of new and
even expanded consciousness and, indeed, some individuals experience
synesthesia (mixed sensory experiences, such as seeing sounds or hearing
colors). Other common effects produced by these drugs include
hallucinations, an altered sense of time, and dissociative experiences (e.g.,
not feeling connected to one’s body or reality).

 Most hallucinogens are classified by the United States Drug Enforcement

Administration (DEA) as Schedule I controlled substances, meaning they
have no known medicinal uses and have a high potential for abuse and
physical or psychological dependence 2. Hundreds of compounds are
classified as hallucinogens.

Types of Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens can be classified into two subcategories: the classic
hallucinogens and the dissociative drugs. Classic hallucinogens typically produce
visual and auditory hallucinations and may result in an altered sense of time and
heightened sensory experiences. Dissociative drugs produce feelings of detachment,
such as derealization (the feeling that one is detached from reality or that things are
not real) and depersonalization (the feeling that one is detached from one’s own
physical body) 4,5.

The classic hallucinogens discussed in this article include:

 LSD.
 Psilocybin.
 Peyote.
 DMT.
The dissociative drugs discussed in this article include:

 PCP
 Ketamine.
LSD

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a synthetic drug that in small amounts can
produce very powerful visual hallucinations and mood alterations 6. LSD was
developed in 1938 by chemist Albert Hofmann, who was conducting research with
ergot, a fungus, to develop its potential as a circulatory stimulant 7. The fungus had
no practical uses for this purpose and it was shelved. Five years later, Hoffman
began working with it again and, after accidentally absorbing it through his fingertips,
 he experienced the drug’s hallucinogenic effects. After experimenting with his
colleagues, the drug was marketed as a potential benefit to patients in
psychotherapy 7,8.

Most individuals using LSD typically feel euphoric, experience visual hallucinations,
and often have very intense moods; however, so-called “bad trips” can occur in
individuals, resulting in extreme anxiety (including panic attacks) and significant
depression.6,7.

LSD is typically taken as a capsule , liquid, or “blotter paper” that has been dosed
with LSD liquid 6. It’s commonly referred to as acid, dots, blotter acid, window pane,
and mellow yellow 6. Though a standard dose averages in the mere micro-milligram
range, the effects can last up to 12 hours 7,9. LSD was a very popular drug in the
1960s and early 1970s, and its use was partly responsible for the drug culture of that
time. LSD faded in popularity over the years, but it may be making a mild comeback.
In 2013, 229,000 individuals over the age of 12 admitted to current usage of LSD 10.

LSD use does not appear to result in physical dependence, although tolerance can
develop 5. Other potential effects of LSD include 9:

 Increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.

 Profound sweating.
 Dizziness.
 Loss of appetite.
 Dry mouth.
 Tremors.
 Numbness.
 Impulsiveness.
 Mood swings.
 Hallucinations.
 Distorted thinking.
 Long-term LSD use, in rare cases, can lead to Hallucinogen Persisting Perception
Disorder, or chronic flashbacks of experiences while on LSD 5. These flashbacks
can cause significant impairment or distress in the user’s life and can last for years 5.

Psilocybin

Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is a hallucinogenic substance

that is found in more than 200 types of mushrooms 11,12. These mushrooms are
typically found in certain regions of South America, Mexico, and the United States 12.
Common street names for mushrooms that contain psilocybin include magic
mushrooms, mushrooms, and shrooms 12. The mushrooms are typically eaten, and
they are also commonly brewed as a tea 12.

A few effects of eating mushrooms include :

9, 12

 Relaxation.
 Spiritual experiences.
 Hallucinations.
 Panic.
 Paranoia.
 Psychosis.
 Nausea.
 Vomiting.
One risk associated with psilocybin use is that of poisoning. Users may misidentify
the mushrooms and accidentally ingest poisonous mushrooms, which can
result in death 9, 12.

Get help for hallucinogen abuse today

 Peyote

Peyote is a small cactus containing the active ingredient, mescaline 13. Mescaline
comes from the small protrusions (“buttons”) on the cactus but can also be produced
artificially 13. Peyote may be one of the oldest known hallucinogenic drugs. It
was used in Mexico by the Aztecs and by certain groups of Native Americans. These
groups used it for hallucinogenic and medicinal purposes. Some Native American
churches still have the legal right to use peyote in religious services despite its
classification by the DEA 14. Others have used mescaline, as well as other
hallucinogens, to enhance creativity and promote appreciation of beauty and art 14.

Typically, the peyote cactus buttons are eaten or soaked in water 13. They can also
be ground and put in a capsule or smoked with tobacco or marijuana 13. Users
tend to experience the psychoactive effects of mescaline within one to two hours
after ingestion, and its effects can last up to 12 hours 9. These effects include 9,13:

 Increased heart rate and body temperature.

 Vomiting.
 Flushed skin.
 Extreme sweating.
 Coordination problems.
 Hallucinations.
 Altered perception and body image.
 Anxiety.
It’s not likely that individuals using peyote or mescaline will become addicted, but
tolerance, as well as cross-tolerance to other hallucinogens, can develop 9. Regular
use does not appear to result in the development of physical dependence and
withdrawal symptoms are uncommon 9.

DMT

What is Ayahuasca?

Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic tea that is usually brewed with a DMT-containing plant. It’s
primarily used in South America for religious or healing purposes 15.
DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine) , or “Dimitri,” is a hallucinogenic chemical that occurs
naturally in some Amazonian plants, but can also be artificially synthesized. When
made in a laboratory, DMT looks like a white, crystalline powder and is most often
smoked. The worldwide use of DMT is increasing, as it has a large number of new
users compared to other drugs 16.
 Small amounts of DMT may occur naturally in the human brain. These trace
quantities of DMT are hypothesized to be involved in people’s reports of certain
unusual events, such as near-death encounters, mystical experiences, or alien
abductions 15.

Unlike many other hallucinogens with relatively long duration of effects, DMT
produces an intense but short-lived intoxication 16. Overall, users have not
reported many negative adverse or “comedown” effects 15.

The effects of DMT may include 9:

 Hallucinations.
 Body and spatial distortions.
 Changes in awareness and perception.
 Increased heart rate and blood pressure.
 Agitation.
 Severe vomiting (due to ayahuasca tea).
Long-term DMT use doesn’t appear to cause tolerance and there is little evidence
surrounding the long-term effects of ayahuasca use. The tea doesn’t appear to
cause any lasting physical or mental health problems 15.

PCP

Phencyclidine (PCP) was initially developed as a general anesthetic, but because its
use is associated with serious side effects, the dissociative drug is no longer used
medicinally. It’s still legal for use in animals but is rarely used in veterinary settings.
Pure PCP is white and crystalline in appearance but additives may give it a tan or
brown color 17. PCP is commonly taken orally in tablet or capsule form, smoked,
snorted as a powder, or injected 17. Street names for PCP include angel dust, animal
tranquilizer, and rocket fuel 17. At least 14 types of PCP were sold on the street
between the late 1960s and 1990s 18 and many illegal samples contain PCC, a toxic
chemical which releases cyanide and can cause poisoning 17.

Although the prevalence of PCP addiction or PCP use disorder is unknown, about
2.5% of the population has reported using PCP at least once in their lives 5.

The effects of PCP vary depending on the dose, but in general, the user will feel
effects within 1-5 minutes if the hallucinogen is injected or smoked and within about
30 minutes if taken orally or snorted 17. Intoxication typically lasts about 4-6 hours,
and effects may include 5, 17:
 Euphoria.
 Feelings of invulnerability and strength.
 Disorientation.
 Distorted sensory perception.
 Disordered thoughts.
 Hallucinations and illusions.
 Violent or bizarre behaviors.
 Severe anxiety.
 Amnesia.
 Paranoia.
 Numbness or diminished response to pain.
 Seizures.
The effects of the drug are often enhanced when PCP is mixed with others
substances, such as alcohol, stimulants such as cocaine, or depressants including
narcotic medications. Mixing PCP with alcohol or other drugs can increase the risk
of adverse effects and overdose.

PCP intoxication increases the risk of injuries from assaults, accidents, or

falls 5. Chronic PCP use can lead to impairments in cognition, speech, and
memory, and these deficits may last for months 5. It’s not uncommon for long-
term PCP users to also experience 5, 17:

 Heart attacks.
 Respiratory issues.
 Intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding inside the skull).
 Rhabdomyolosis (the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure).
 Depression.
 Chronic PCP users may develop tolerance and require higher doses of the drug in
order to experience desired effects 5. This can be dangerous since higher doses can
cause seizures and coma 5.

Ketamine

Ketamine was designed as an anesthetic for both animal and human use,
particularly in trauma or emergency situations. Nowadays, ketamine is abused for its
dissociative effects and its popularity as a “club drug” is increasing, particularly
among young adults and teens 18,20.

Ketamine is usually in a clear liquid or a white powder, the latter of which is placed in
plastic bags, capsules, or glass vials 20. The drug can be snorted, smoked, injected,
or mixed into drinks 20. It is often used in conjunction with cocaine,
methamphetamine, amphetamine, or MDMA (Ecstasy) 20. Users will take ketamine
repeatedly in a short period of time to prevent a “come-down” and maintain the
psychoactive effects 21.

THE "K-HOLE"
Ketamine users can reach a level of intoxication known as a “K-hole,” which can be
subjectively characterized as an out-of-body or near-death experience, although
sometimes with a spiritual component 20,21.

Other slang phrases associated with ketamine intoxication, include “K-land,” which
occurs at low doses and is a mellow experience, “Baby food,” in which the person is in a
blissful, unmoving state, and “God,” in which the user encounters a higher power 21.
Street names for ketamine include 20:

 Special K.
 K.
 Cat tranquilizer.
 Kit kat.
The effects of ketamine occur rapidly and may include 20, 21, 22 :

 Sedation.
 Numbness.
 Hallucinations.
 Delirium.
 Psychosis.
 Paranoia.
 Disorientation.
 Feelings of detachment.
 Depression.
 Agitation.
 Amnesia.
 Cognitive impairments.
 Nausea.
 Muscle stiffness.
 Heart palpitations.
 Dizziness.
 Seizures.
Tolerance to ketamine use develops rapidly and there is evidence of physical
dependence in chronic users 21. There are documented cases of withdrawal
symptoms in some individuals, but insufficient research exists to support a ketamine
withdrawal syndrome 21.

stimulant drugs: cocaine and amphetamine

Stimulants are a group of drugs that result in increased activity in the body.
Sometimes referred to as “uppers,” these drugs are frequently abused due to their
performance-enhancing and euphoric effects. Generally, those who abuse stimulants
experience heightened energy levels and enhanced focus.

Stimulants speed up mental and physical processes, which can produce desirable
effects in the short-term by increasing levels of dopamine in the brain. While users
may feel great due to the short-term effects of stimulants, long-term abuse of these
drugs can have significant consequences, which is why it is so important for those
who abuse the drugs to get help as quickly as possible.

There are both legal and illicit stimulants, and both categories are commonly abused.
Some of the most commonly abused stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamine,
and prescription stimulants, like Ritalin, Adderall and Concerta.

Cocaine

Cocaine is one of the most well-known stimulants in the world. A highly addictive
drug, it is made from and named for the South American coca plant. Cocaine usually
comes in the form of a fine white powder, though the popular “crack” form comes as
crystallized rocks. Cocaine and crack cocaine can be used via a multitude of
methods; the most common form of ingestion for powdered cocaine is snorting the
drug, and the most common method for crack cocaine is to smoke it.
 Signs of cocaine use include but are not limited to:

 Excitability
 Dilated pupils
 Runny nose
 Weight loss
 Nosebleeds

 The average age for initial use of cocaine appears to be getting lower. A
survey conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in 2016
showed that 1.4 percent of 8th graders surveyed had tried cocaine in their
lifetime, while 0.8 percent had used the drug within the past year and 0.3
percent in the last month. A comparison to the results from 12th graders in the
same survey showed increased use with advanced age, with the lifetime use
rate at 3.7 percent, past-year use at 2.3 percent, and past-month use at 0.9
percent.
 Oftentimes, childhood use of a substance translates into adult use. In fact,
according to NIDA, adolescents who use drugs are more likely to develop
substance use disorders than those who begin using drugs as adults. Since
the brain is still developing throughout the teen and early adult years, it is
particularly vulnerable to the formation of addiction during this time. Per 2015
NIDA information, more than 16 percent of surveyed adults 26 or older had
used cocaine in their lifetime.
 Use of cocaine may initially start as simple experimentation, but it can quickly
snowball into consistent abuse due to its addictive nature. According to
the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, continued use of the drug can lead to
increased tolerance. This means that more of the drug is required over time to
produce the desired effects. Prolonged use can result in side effects, such as
loss of appetite and sleep deprivation. People often go on cocaine binges,
during which they may not sleep or eat for days at a time due to the
suppressed appetite and lack of desire for sleep that often come with use of
the drug.
 Polydrug use, or the use of cocaine in conjunction with other substances, is
common. Most often, users mix cocaine with alcohol in an effort to heighten
the high from cocaine or to lessen negative effects of alcohol, such as
dizziness or extreme intoxication. Cocaine is also often combined with heroin
in a “speedball.”
 As with all polydrug abuse, combining substances increases the risk of
adverse effects exponentially and the potential for overdose. Oftentimes, the
effects of one substance mask certain effects of the other substance, making
it more difficult to detect overdose.
 Amphetamine is a powerful stimulator of the central nervous system. It is used to treat
some medical conditions, but it is also highly addictive, with a history of abuse.
 Stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and methylphenidate
(Ritalin and Concerta) are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity
 disorder (ADHD). Used under prescription, stimulants can be safe
and effective.
 Amphetamine sulphate, or speed, is also used for recreational and
non-medical purposes. It can lead to euphoria, and it suppresses the
appetite, which can lead to weight loss. Used outside the medical
context, stimulants can have severe adverse effects.
 In this article, we will look at amphetamine's medical uses, its side
effects, and how it is misused.

Fast facts about amphetamines

 Amphetamines are central nervous system (CNS) stimulants.

 They are used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy.

 Adverse effects include restlessness, acne, and blurred vision.

 Rarer side effects include seizures, heart problems, and psychosis.

 Amphetamines are used for recreational purposes. They are addictive.

Medical uses
Amphetamines come in different forms. They are used to treat ADHD and as a recreational drug.

Amphetamine activates receptors in the brain and increases the activity of a

number of neurotransmitters, especially norepinephrine and dopamine.

Dopamine is associated with pleasure, movement, and attention.

Amphetamine has been trialed for a wide variety of conditions. Now, it is mainly
used to treat ADHD, and, rarely, depression. In the past, it has been used to treat
narcolepsy and to help with weight loss, but this is less common now.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
ADHD is characterized by hyperactivity, irritability, mood instability, attention
difficulties, lack of organization, and impulsive behaviors.

It often appears in children, but it can continue into adulthood.

Amphetamines reverse some of these symptoms and have been shown to improve
brain development and nerve growth in children with ADHD.

Long-term treatment with amphetamine-based medication in children appears to

prevent unwanted changes in brain function and structure.

Narcolepsy
A person with narcolepsy will experience excessive daytime sleepiness and
irresistible sleep episodes, called "sleep attacks."

In a person with this condition, strong emotions can trigger a sudden loss of muscle
tone, or cataplexy, which causes a person to collapse and possibly fall down. It also
involves frequent and unexpected bouts of sleep.

Amphetamines and amphetamine derivatives have been used in the past to treat
narcolepsy.

Due to concerns over their side effects, however, amphetamines are

increasingly being replaced by modafinil, a medication that promotes wakefulness.

Obesity
Under the name Benzedrine, amphetamines were first used to treat obesity in the
1930s, due to their appetite-suppressing capabilities.

Fears of the drug's side effects and its potential for addiction and abuse caused
them to fall out of favor for this purpose. In the 1950s, reports of malnutrition,
psychosis, and depression on withdrawal caused doctors to stop prescribing
amphetamines for weight loss.

Currently, medical professionals do not recommend using amphetamines and their

derivatives to help reduce obesity.

However, in 2015, after carrying out a small study, researchers suggested

that dexamphetamine might be a safe and effective way of boosting people's
motivation for lifestyle changes that can lead to weight loss.

They proposed a 6-month use of the drug to help people who have not responded
to other treatment to improve their diet and increase exercise levels. This, they say,
could help curb obesity and related complications, such as diabetes and
cardiovascular disease.

Depression
From the 1930s, amphetamine was used to treat affective disorders, obsessive-
compulsive disorder (OCD), and schizophrenia.

However, in the 1950s and 1960s, amid growing concern about its adverse effects,
it was replaced by newly available antidepressants.

In rare cases, amphetamines are used alongside standard antidepressants to treat

some types of depression that do not respond to other treatments, especially in
people who also experience fatigue and apathy.

In a study that followed 65 patients taking amphetamines alongside normal

medication, 38 "showed significant improvement, in particular with respect to
energy, mood, and psychomotor activity."

According to the authors, side effects were minimal, and no drug dependency was
seen.

Risks
 Amphetamine can produce many side effects, ranging from mild to severe.

Physical side effects include:

 low or high blood pressure

 Raynaud's phenomenon, where there is reduced blood flow to the extremities

 erectile dysfunction, and especially frequent or persistent erections

 rapid heart rate

 abdominal pain

 loss of appetite, nausea, and weight loss

 acne, rash, hives

 blurred vision

 dry mouth

 teeth grinding

 nosebleed

 profuse sweating

 nasal congestion

 increased likelihood of seizures for susceptible individuals

 tics

 faster, deeper breaths, especially in those with other lung conditions

 difficulty urinating
There may also be psychological effects.

These include:

 increased alertness and focus

 apprehension, anxiety, irritability, and restlessness

 mood swings

 insomnia

 changes in libido

 grandiosity, or an exaggerated sense of one's own importance

 obsessive behaviors
In rare cases, psychosis may occur

People who follow the prescribed, therapeutic dose are unlikely to experience
severe adverse effects.

There have been fears that long-term use of amphetamines for ADHD could affect
brain development, prevent physical growth, and increase the risk of drug abuse
later in life. However, animal studies have suggested that this is unlikely.

Effects on child growth

There is evidence that amphetamine use to treat ADHD could slow growth in
children. Minor effects on the cardiovascular system, including a rise in heart rate
and blood pressure, may have long-term effects.

However, some studies show that any reduction in growth speed may be caught
up by a "growth rebound" once the drug has stopped being taken.

More studies are needed to confirm whether amphetamines affect growth.