http://isabellaaa-drugsatcarmelcollege.blogspot.tw/2010/10/effects-of-different-types-of-drugs.html
StimulantsStimulants
act on the central nervous system to speed up the messages to and from
the brain. They can make the user feel more awake, alert or confident.
Stimulants increase heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure.
Other effects include reduced appetite, dilated pupils, talkativeness,
agitation and sleep disturbance. Mild stimulants include:
- Ephedrine used in medicines for bronchitis, hay fever and asthma
- Caffeine in coffee, tea and cola drinks
- Nicotine in tobacco.
Stronger stimulants include:
- Amphetamines, including illegal amphetamines ("speed", "crystal meth", "ice", "shabu")
- Cocaine ("coke", "crack")
- Ecstasy ("E", "XTC", "eccy")
- Slimming tablets such as Duromine, Tenuate Dospan and Ponderax.
Large
quantities of stimulants can "over-stimulate" the user, causing
anxiety, panic, seizures, headaches, stomach cramps, aggression and
paranoia. Prolonged use of strong stimulants can mask some of the
effects of depressant drugs, such as alcohol, making it difficult for a
person to judge their effects.
DepressantsDepressants
are drugs that slow down the functions of the central nervous system.
Depressant drugs do not necessarily make a person feel depressed. They
include:
- Alcohol ("booze", "grog")
- Cannabis ("pot", "dope", "mull")
- Barbiturates, including Seconal, Tuinal and Amytal
- Benzodiazepines (tranquilisers), "benzos", "tranx" such as Rohypnol, Valium, Serepax, Mogadon, Normison and Eupynos
- GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutrate), or "fantasy"
- Opiates and opioids, including heroin ("H", "smack"), morphine, codeine, methadone and pethidine
- Some solvents and inhalants
In
small quantities, depressants can cause the user to feel more relaxed
and less inhibited. In larger quantities they can cause unconsciousness,
vomiting and even death. Depressants affect concentration and
coordination. They slow down a person's ability to respond to unexpected
situations.
HallucinogensHallucinogens
affect perception. People who have taken them may believe they see or
hear things that aren't really there, or what they see may be distorted
in some way. The effects of hallucinogens vary a great deal, so it is
impossible to predict how they will affect a particular person at a
particular time.
Hallucinogens include:
- Datura
- Ketamine ("K", "Special K")
- LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide; "trips", "acid", "microdots")
- Magic mushrooms (psilocybin; "gold tops", "mushies")
- Mescaline (peyote cactus)
- PCP ('angel dust')
- Cannabis is an hallucinogen as well as a depressant. Ecstasy can also have hallucinogenic qualities.
Some
effects of hallucinogens include dilation of pupils, loss of appetite,
increased activity, talking or laughing, emotional and psychological
euphoria and wellbeing, jaw clenching, sweating, panic, paranoia, loss
of contact with reality, irrational or bizarre behaviour, stomach cramps
and nausea.