Opiates – Hallucinogens – Marijuana Drugs in Brief

Opiates:
Opium, heroin, codeine and morphine are drugs made from opium poppy. Along with certain synthetic drugs they are classified as narcotic drugs which relieve pain and produce a state of stupor. Heroin, the most dangerous, frequently abused opiate is dissolved in a liquid and injected into a vein. It depresses certain areas of brain so that incoming neural messages are dulled. The effect is one of relaxation, reduction of tension, and euphoria, and is referred to as high. The life expectancy of a heroin addict is shortened on an average 15 to 20 years. Sudden death from overdose is a constant threat, since the illegal heroin traffic does not guarantee uniform doses, and an unusually pure or large dose can be fatal.

photo credit: Mishimoto

Hallucinogens:
Such as LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide), mescaline, and psilocybin cause the user to see, imagine and hear things in an exaggerated and abnormal manner; thus they often are describe as mind expanding drugs. Mescaline is made from the peyote cactus; psilocybin is derived from Mexican mushroom. LSD is synthetic chemical.

LSD and other hallucinogens are thought to enhance the activity of nor epinephrine and dopamine while inhibiting the depressing effects of serotonin. An average dose of LSD causes dizziness, nausea, drowsiness and blurring of vision. Familiar objects appear to take on new features. Shapes change, and he may even have mystic experiences. Suicides have resulted from perceptual distortions which convince the user that he can fly out of a high window to perform some equally impossible feat.

Marijuana:
It is made of chopped leaves, flowers and stems of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa and contains only a small amount of the active ingredients-THC (Tetra hydrocannabinol). The hemp plant has been cultivated for centuries in many parts of the world for the tough fiber obtained from its stem, and for its psychoactive properties. Hashish, made from the resin secreted by the flowering tops of female hemp plant, is a much stronger drug. Marijuana appears to be relatively mild intoxicant and is thought to act upon serotonin as well as nor epinephrine pathways. In low doses marijuana produces feeling similar to those of mild alcohol intoxication. In large doses it interferes with performances of tasks involving short term memory, and there is some evidence that it impairs driving ability. With large doses of marijuana, users experience hallucinations.

Remember, finding an opiate detox can help you overcome your addiction.

Tags: codeine, Hallucinogens, heroin, morphine, Opium