Marijuana, LSD and Club Drugs Chapter 9

Marijuana Made up of the dried leaves and flowering tops of the Cannabis plant, the drug is comprised of about 400 chemicals, THC being the most potent agent Due to the many chemicals found in the plant, its effects are complex and varied, depending on where the plant is grown, and/or whether there are any additives Marijuana is known to have the effects of a sedative, hallucinogen, a narcotic, a stimulant or rarely, a psychomimetic (which drives one insane)

Marijuana Worldwide, marijuana is the most commonly used illegal substance In a study done in 2005 that consisted of 97 mil people, about 25 mil have admitted to using the substance at least once Acute effects of marijuana usage include: Increased heart beat Reddened eyes Dryness of the mouth Chronic effects include: ?

Marijuana Marijuana’s medicinal properties have been touted for years, as the drug has been used to/for: Stimulate appetite and alleviate cachexia. Control nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy     Decrease intraocular pressure.    Analgesia      Neurological and movement disorders The medicinal purpose of marijuana has been a strong arguing point as to why the drug should be legalized

LSD LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is deemed a mood changer with hallucinogenic properties Originally manufactured in 1938 from fungi that can be found in grains, its psychoactive properties were discovered in 1943 by a chemist who accidently inhaled the fumes of the synthesized drug In Hoffman’s report of the effects of the drug, he simply stated “this drug makes normal people psychotic.”

LSD In 1964 the British army decided to test the effects of LSD on their soldiers, to determine whether the use of this drug would enhance their duties in combat. It was not successful. As the drug made its way into mainstream culture, it was associated with “hippies” during the Free Love Movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s

LSD LSD is not deemed addicting either physically or psychologically, with most users stating that the drug is consumed on a “once in a while basis” The textbook author postulates three theories as to why LSD and other hallucinogens and/or psychedelics are not addictive: The body builds up a rapid tolerance/resistance The inability to function, or “come down” from the high at will The drugs have inconsistent effects, due to the differences in manufacturing for each batch

Club Drugs The main club drugs that we will cover are: GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) Rohypnol Ketamine Ecstasy Each of these drugs are similar in that they are consumed in night clubs, parties, raves and concerts They all began with a legal pharmaceutical purpose before being deemed dangerous for recreational consumption GHB and Rohypnol are two of the most popular “date rape drugs”

Club Drugs GHB is a sedative that produces a state of relaxation and drunkenness, without the hangover feeling in the morning Originally dispensed as a sleep aid for narcoleptics and anti-anxiety pill, other effects include Building of muscle mass for body builders Inhibition of heart beat and breathing, like alcohol GHB was classified as a Schedule I Drug in 2000

Club Drugs Rohypnol or “Roofies” is a sedative with a potency 10 times that of Valium This drug is known to cause unconsciousness, short term paralysis and amnesia

Club Drugs Ketamine or “Special K”, etc… is primarily used by veterinarians to sedate animals, namely horses Although it functions as a painkiller, it induces hallucinations within users, which ended its medicinal career in humans around the Vietnam War era Some of the effects of Ketamine can be seen here

Club Drugs Ecstasy , whose active ingredient is MDMA, was synthesized in the early 20th century as an appetite suppressant. That idea was shelved for a few decades until the 1970’s, when the drug was used in psychotherapy Dubbed the “happy drug”, it induces feels of warmth, empathy and euphoria in users, which it is why it is termed an “empathogen” and psychedelic rather than a hallucinogen It is suspected that MDMA may play a detrimental role in one’s natural serotonin and dopamine levels, by depleting them