Regulation
Legal
Federal legal drinking age set at 21
Classification
Depressant
Slows heart rate, cognitive ability
How it works
Small doses
Reduces inhibition
Enhances confidence, euphoria, relaxation
Large doses
Stupor
CNS depressent
impaired sensory and motor function
Unconsciousness
Death
How it's used
Depression
Recreational
Insomnia
Mental illness (psychological relief)
Common forms
Liquid
Drinking alcohol
Concerns
Long term
Potential for alcoholism
Liver damage
Alcohol poisoning
Cognitive degeneration
Nerve damage
Osteoporosis
High blood pressure
Sexual decrease/problems
Ulcers
Numerous possibilities for numerous cancers
Short term
Slurred speech
Blackouts
Decreased perception and coordination
Impaired judgment
Breathing difficulties
Anemia
Vomiting
Drowsiness
Alcohol poisoning
Routes of administration
Ingestion
Nasal (insufflation)
Routes of administration
Ingestion
Smoking
Consumption
Concerns
Thought to be a gateway drug
Possible psychosis
Can cause anxiety
Smoking can damage the lungs
How it works
Psychoactive: affects brain chemistry
Mental: can impair judgement
Physical: can create analgesic effects (painkiller)
Classification
Depressant
Hallucinogenic
Stimulant
Common forms
Plant form
Oil (resin)
Edible
Tea
How it's used
Anxiety
Insomnia
Recreational
Medicinal
Cancer treatment
Pain reduction
Epilepsy
Parkinsons
Spiritual
Regulation
Federally illegal
Schedule I drug
State by state basis
Some states legalized recreationally and medicinally
Some states legalized medicinally only
Effects
Short Term
Altered senses
Change in mood
Impaired body movement
Impaired memory
Hallucinations
Temporary psychosis
Long Term
Possible IQ decline
Damaged lungs
Breathing problems
Possible pregnancy complications
Common forms
Energy drink
Coffee
Tea
Soda
Pain relievers
Subtopic
Stimulent
How it's used
Restore mental alertness
Alertness
Medication
Subtopic
Migrane
Weight loss
Regulation
Readily available (no government regulation)
As medication (Caffeine citrate), Rx only
How it works
Affects brain
Poses as adenosine
Increased adrenaline
Instead of binding to adenosine, nerves bind to caffeine
Effects
Short term
Jitters
Headaches
Dilated pupils
Increased alertness
Rapid heart beat
Possible nausea
Anxiety
Long term
Nervousness
Weakness and fatigue
Muscle tremors
Restlessness
Irritability
Possible heart problems
Headaches
Route of administration
Drink
Tea
Soda
Coffee
Energy drink
Oral
Gum
Routes of administration
Orally
Chewing tobacco
Smoking
Cigars
Cigarettes
Hookah
Nasally
Snuff
Concerns
Carcinogen
Heart disease
Cardiovascular disease
Weakened immune system
Popularization runs risk of younger people using
How it works
When taken in, peak nicotine levels reach blood
stream
Adrenaline is released
This causes the proverbial "buzz"
Classification
Mild stimulant
Higher doses
Depressant
Lower doses
Common forms
Cigarettes
Cigars
Electronic cigarettes
Chewing tobacco
Loose leaf tobacco
Snuff
Snus
Hookah
Regulation
21 years of age or older (Federal level)
Effects
Short term
Mild buzz
Shortness of breath
Bad breath
Coughing
Reeceeding gums
Subtopic
Long term
Heart disease
Bronchitis
Asthma
Numerous cancers
COPD
Stroke
Peptic ulcer
Diabetes
How its used
Recreational
Therapeutic
Common forms
Powder
Crystal form
How it's used
Recreational
Often used for sexual activities
Other uses: stay up for days (or weeks), party drug
Medicinal
Obesity
Narcolepsy
ADHD
Classification
Stimulant
Regulation
Heavily monitored
Medicinal methamphetamine: Schedule II
Illicit methamphetamine heavily punished
Street names
Tina
Crank
Ice
Speed
Routes of administration
Intravenous
Most potant high
Smoking
Insufflation
Effects
Positive
Increased concentration
Massive amounts of energy
Weight loss
Negative
Physical
Loss of appetite
Abnormal blood pressure
Twitching
Hyperactivity
Acne
Meth mouth
Rapid breathing
Psychological
Insomnia
Hyperagression
Paranoia
Dysphoria
OCD behavior
Anxiety
Suicidal ideation
Psychosis
Depression
Common forms
Pill/tablet
How it's used
Medicinal
Recreational
Classification
Depressant (benzodiazepine)
Regulation
Schedule IV narcotic
Well accepted medical use
Street names
Xanny
Bars
Z Bars
Routes of administration
Consumption
Insufflation
Effects
Positive
Used for calming anxiety and panic attacks
Sedation
Negative
Paranoia
Anterograde amnesia
Disinhibition
Suicidal ideation
Hallucinations
Seizures
Possible aggression
Mania
Common forms
Pill
Liquid
Intravenous
Consumption
Plant form
Opium
Poppy seeds
How it's used
Pharmaceutical
Recreational
Classification
Depressant
Regulation
Regulated by FDA
Schedule I
Heroin
Schedule II
Morphine
Opium
Vicodin
Schedule III
Subutex
Buprenex
Schedule IV
Tramadol
Schedule V
Codeine
Effects
Short term
Itch
Dry mouth
Dizziness
Nausea
Drowsiness
Impaired sexual function
Slowed breathing
Death by overdose
Pain reduction
Euphoria
Long term
Dependence
Cognitive effects
Immunodeficiency
Increased pain sensitivity
Decreased testosterone levels
Concerns
Addiction
Opiates prescribed liberally for pain
Very easy to experience addiction, withdrawals
Easy to overdose
Routes of administration
Oral
Intravenous
Insufflation
Common forms
Plant
Cactus
Peyote
Seed
Morning glory
Mushroom
Psilocybin mushrooms
Liquid
Acid
LSD
Pill
Ecstacy
MDMA
How it's used
Recreational
Spiritual
Religious
Effects
Psychoactive experiences
Hallucinations
Out of body experiences
"Ego Death"
Mood enhancement
Bad trips
Classification
Psychoactive
Regulation
Schedule I
LSD
Peyote
Ecstasy
Mushrooms
MDMA
Concerns
Legal
No way for government to make money, so government makes them illegal
Routes of administration
Oral