Cannabis
Routes of administration
Vaporizing
Eating edibles/ drinking beverages
Electronic consumption
How does it work?
THC is a main chemical substance that makes someone feel "high"
THC enters the bloodstream after ingestion and once it reaches the brain, the effects are felt
Concerns
Short term
Impairs learning abilities
Grades suffer
Impairs decision making skills
Bad. judgement
Long term
Dependencey issues
Increased delinquency
Pathway to use of other drugs
Risk of addiction
Classification
Cannabis is considered a depressant with stimulant and hallucinogenic properties, but not one over the others.
Depressant
Slows down neural messages to/ from brain
Calm nerves
Relax tensed muscles
Lower inhibitions
Sleepiness
Dizziness
Short term memory loss
Stimulant
Increased alterness
Increased heart rate
More attentive
Elevated mood
Paranoia
Hallucinogen
Distort users perception of reality
Delusions
Lost sense of personal identity
Dry mouth
Detachment from self
How is it used?
Can be used medicinally or recreationally
Cannabis is most frequently smoked
Bongs
Blunts/joints
Pipes
Dab rigs
Other makeshift devices
Fruits
Soda bottles
Cannabis can be ingested through eating edibles/drinking. beverages
Food Items
Cookies
Brownies
Cereal Bars
Taffy
Chocolate
Liquid Items
Lemonade
Syrup
Electronic consumption
Dab pens
Regulation
Cannabis is fully legal in 10 states for users 21+ years of age
Alaska
California
Colorado
Oregon
Maine
Massasschusettes
Michigan
Nevada
Vermont
Washington
Effects
Short term
Short term memory issues
Anxiety
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Loss of personal identity
Lower reaction times
Increased heart rate
Long term
Decline in IQ
Addiction
Relationship issues
Poor school/work performance
Little satisfaction with life
Less job opportunities
Antisocial behaviors
Common Forms
Oil (also known as dabs or extracts)
Has high THC levels are found in this form of cannabis. Oils from the cannabis plant are extracted to make dabs.
Flower/ bud
THC levels orange from low to high potency depending on strains
Alcohol
How does it work?
Alcohol impacts people differently based on age, sex, weight, and food consumption
After alcohol is consumed, it moves through the body and into. your bloodstream. Effects cane felt
After alcohol is in the bloodstream, it passes the blood brain barrier which inhibits brain functioning
Finally, the liver breaks down the alcohol and it is prepared to go through our system
Routes of administration
Ingestion through drinking
Regulations
Must be 21 to purchase
Effects
Short term
Slurred speech
Drowsiness
Vomiting
Upset stomach
Headaches
Decreased heart rate
Increased aggression
Unconsciousness
Impaired judgement
Long term
Addiction
Unintentional injuries
car crash
Alcohol poisoning
Liver disease
High blood pressure
Ulcers
Brain damage (permanent)
How is it used?
Clean with it
Ethanol +methanol to clean paint brushes
Burn it
Ethanol can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels
Ethanol used to dissolve things
Perfume
Cosmetics
Vegetable essences
Vanilla extract
Wear it
Alcohol used in perfumes
Drink it
Relaxation
Socializing
Classification
Depressant
Loss of Inhibitions
Loss of coordination
Relaxation
Decreased heart rate
Slower respiration
Common forms-by percentage
Beer (2-6% alcohol)
Ale
Stout
Lager
Pale ale
Porter
Wine (8-15% alcohol)
Red wine
12-15% alcohol
Pinot noirs
Malbec
Red bordeauxs
White wine
5-14.5 % alcohol
Moscato
Pinot Grigio
Chardonnay
Hard liquor
Whiskey (35-40% alcohol)
Vodka (40% alcohol)
Gin (37-47% alcohol)
Rum (35-45% alcohol)
Tequila (40% alcohol)
concerns
Long term
Addiction
Dependence
Increased delinquency
DUII
Mixing with drugs
Harmful for brain development
Short term
Frequent intoxication
Substance Abuse
Caffeine
Regulation
Not regulated
In fact, caffeine is on of the most common "addictive drugs"
Caffeine must be listed as an ingredient, but amount is not required
Federal regulations state that products containing caffeine must contain no more than .02% of the actual product
drugs containing caffeine must show they're safe and logical for human consumption
If the FDA approves, the amount of caffeine in the drug must be listed
Alcohol containing caffeine has been banned
Uses/Effects
Restore mental alterness
Weight Loss
Mental alterness
Asthma
Athletic Performance
Low blood pressure after eating
Breathing problems
Classification
Stimulant
Feeling awake/energized
Anxiety
Dizziness
Higher body temperature
Dehydration
Allert
How it works
Increases dopamine levels
Makes us "feel good"
Caffeine enters the brain and binds to adosine receptions responsible for telling us we're tired
Caffeine blocks the receptions from being able to communicate with the body, making us feel energized and not tired(until the caffeine wares off)
Helps us to feel alert
Increases calcium count within cells
increases the amount of calcium within cells
Effects
Long term
excessive caffeine intake causes
Tremors
Fast heart rate
Nervousness
Frequent urination
Increase blood pressure
Short term
Muscle contractions
Increased heart rate
Slower blood flow in the stomach area
Blood vessels constricting
Patterns of use
Some Religions don't condone the consumption of caffeine
Up to 400mg of caffeine/day is safe for adults
Which equates to roughly 4 cups of coffee
Concerns
Short term
Caffeine isn't the worst drug, and doesn't have horrible side effects
Caffeine overdoses
Feeling of intoxication (through excessive amounts o caffeine)
Symptoms
Nervousness
Irritability
Insomnia
Long term
Not many harmful long term effects oi caffeine
Different effects on different ages, genders, etc.
Pregnant women(<200mg caffeine)
Youth (<100mg caffeine)
Can lead to dependency issues
However, NOT considered to be an addiction
The more caffeine your body is used to, the more that is needed to produce the same effect (tolerance building)
Sources/Common Forms
Plants
Cocoa brans
Kola nuts
Tea leaves
Coffee beans
Yerba Maté
Guarana berries
Drinks
Soda
Matcha green tea
Energy Drinks
Dark Chocolate
Medications
Dietary supplements
Can be drank, eaten or swallowed in the form of medication/dietary supplements
Tobacco
Classification
Stimulant
Increased alertness
Relaxed
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Routes of administration
ORAL
Smoke
Sniff
Chew
Food(less common)
Common forms
Cigarettes
Most common
Cigars
Sometimes flavored-geared towards kids
Electronic Cigarettes
Vape pens
Hookah pens
Dissolvables
Strips
Sticks
Lozenges
Smokeless tobacco
Chew/dip
Cured tobacco-loose leaf/plug/twist
Moist snuff
Finely cut tobacco
Powdered tobacco
Usually place product between cheek and gums
How it's used
Tobacco isn't a medical or recreationsal drugs, however there are regulations regarding who is able to buy this drug
This varies state by state
How it works
Nicotine from the tobacco is absorbed into bloodstream
Adrenal glands are stimulated and epinephrin is released throughout the body
Responsible for increasing breathing, heart rat
Increases in dopamine
Rewarding behaviors
Effects
Long term
Gum disease
Tooth decay
Cancer
Asthma
Bronchitis
e
Short term
Calm-followed by depression
Increased alertness/concentrration
Mild euphoria
Increased blood pressure and heart rate
Feeling relaxed
Concerns
Short term
Damage to respiratory system
(temporary) bronchitis
Bad breath
Gross smelly hair/clothes
Yellowing teeth
"Nicsick"- overdose of tobacco
Damage to mouth
Long term
Cancer
COPD
Chronic bronchitis
Emphyzema
Tolerance
Addiction
psychological dependence on the drug
Regulation
Used to be able to purchase at age 18, but the legal age has since been raised to 21 (11/50 states)
The following states have imposed the "21+ to buy tobacco" law
Arkansas
California
Hawaii
Illinois
Maine
Massasschusettes
New Jersey
Oregon
Utah
Virginia
Washington
Must have a state issued ID and be 21+ years old to purchase (in Oregon-other states may have a required age of 18 to purchase)
Laws vary state to state
HOWEVER: Military ages 18+ are allowed to purchase tobacco(and alcohol)
Regulated by FDA (started in 2009)
Subtopic
Meth
Regulation
Recreational use of meth is illegal
The FDA regulates meth that is used in medications to aid in treating ADHD, narcolepsy and severe obesity
Dispensed under the name "desoxyn" and manufactured by Ovation Pharmaceaticals
How it works
Can be smoked, snorted, swallowed or injected
When meth enters the bloodstream and heads toward the brain
When meth reaches the brain, dopamine levels increase beyond what is typical
Due to the way our brain processes this feeling, a reward system is implemented and makes the user want more and more of the drug
Routes of administration
Snorted
Drug is in powder form
Can lead to sinus cavity damage
Chronic runny nose is an effect
Smoked
Most common form of abused meth
Can give you "meth mouth"-teeth corrosion
Swallowed (pills)
Was originally used for medical purposes, but can still be found in pill form and abused
Injected
Powdered drug is injected
Especially dangerous due to risk of HIV and other similar diseases
Classification
Stimulant
Upset stomach
Nausea
Weight loss
Trouble sleeping
Increased heart rate
Paranoia
Effects
Short term
Loss of appetite
Increased heart rate
Disturbed sleep patterns
nausea
panic/psychosis
Long term
Disorientation/confusion
Depression
Damage to brain-alzheimers
Psychological dependence
Addiction
Common Forms
Desoxyn
ADHD
Obesity
Narcolespy
Powder
White/off-white
Also known as speed
least potent form of meth
Can be formed into pills
snorted/injected/swallowed
"Base"
White/yellow/brown in color
Oily/damp feel
Higher potency and purity than powder
Usually injected but can also be swallowed
Also known as "pure", "paste", "wax"
Crystal meth
Also known as "Ice"
Subtopic
Transluecent-white in color
Most potent form of meth
Typically smoked or injected
Concerns
Short term
Extreme weight loss
Intense itching
Anxiety
Confusion
Violent behavior
Paranoia
Long term
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
HIV/AIDS
"Meth mouth"
Organ failure
Addiction
How is it used?
Meth is typically used just to get high, although that's not always the case
Some ADHD medications contain methamphetamine
This is legal to use as long as it is used within the prescribed guidelines by the intended user
Spray paint(Inhalant)
Routes of administration
Orally-through the mouth
Sniffing/snorting
Spraying directly into mouth
Inhaled through a paper or plastic bag
Huffing
soaking a rag and placing into mouth to be absorbed
Concerns
Long term
Brain atrophy-specifically near the Cerebellum
Larger brain ventricles
White matter abnormalities
Loss of muscular strength
Impaired vision and hearing
Impaired cognition
Short term
Lack of coordination
Irregular/rapid heartbeat
Dizziness
Apathy
Rashes
Common Forms
4 types of inhalants
Volatile solvents
Liquids that vaporize at room temperature
Paint thinners
Gasoline
Glue
Felt tip markers
Arersols
Spray paint
Deodorant
Hair spray
Gases
Chlorophorm
Nitrous oxide
Propane tanks
Nitrites
Typically used for sexual enhancement
Isoamyl nitrite
Isobutyl nitrite
Subtopic
Regulation
Inhalants are not regulated under the controlled substances act, but some states have regulations restricting minors from purchasing products often used as inhalants
Some states have imposed jail sanctions, fines, and treatment programs for those in possession of and responsible for distributing inhalants
Classification
Inhalant
Depending on usage, you may feel stimulant effects followed by effects associated with the depressant-alcohol
Effects
Short term
Drowsiness
disinhibition
Lightheadedness
Agitation
Slurred speech
Impaired coordination
Long term
Major headaches
Very drowsy
Extremely confused
Hallucinations
Comatose
Weight loss
How it's used
Inhalants are typically household or industrial products used for services without intentions of them being inhaled
Due to the chemicals in these products, when inhaled they often give the user psychoactive and mind altering effects
How it works
Inhaled chemicals are ingested and immediately begin to disperse throughout the body bloodstream
From there, the chemicals spread further towrds the brain and into organs
The user feels the effects of intoxication (resemble alcohol)
Intoxication is a short phase which causes users to inhale mass amounts which can be lethal
Imporrtant to note that death can occur due to mass inhalation
Asphyxiation
From rerrpeated inhaling causing lack of oxygen in the lungs
Suffocation
Blocking air entering lungs using the bag over the head method
Convulsions/seizures
Due to abnormal electrical discharges through the brain
Coma
Fom the body shutting down most of but not all of the vital functions
Choking
Inhaling vomit after using an inhalant
Fatal injury
Accidents/DUII crashes
Opioids
Routes of administration
Subcutaneous
Drug absorbed under the skin
Oral
Sometimes requires more of the drug for the same effect
Through nose or mouth
Intramuscular
Drug absorbed in a muscle
Rectal insertion
Concerns
Short term
Death
Impaired mental functioning
Depressed respiration
Slower breathing
Weight loss
Long term
Death
By overdose
Suicide
Hyperalgesia
Sensitive to pain
Possible infertility
Osteoporosis
Suppressed immune system
Addiction
Dependence
Depression
Classification
Opioids are their own classification of drug
Strong agonist
Morphone
Methadone
Fentanyl
Mild-moderate agonist
Codeine
Oxycodone
Hydropcodone
Opioids with mixed receptor actions
Buprenophene
Butorphanol
Schedule II Drug
Prescription
Hydrocodone
Oxcodone
Morphine
Codeine
Fentanyl
High potential for abuse and can lead to physical/psychological dependence
Schedule I drug
Recreational
High potential for abuse and no medical benefits
How it works
Opioids attach onto receptors in the central nervous system
Brain
Spinal cord
Peripheral tissues
Enzymes in the body convert opioids to morphine
Helps to relieve pain
Increases dopamine levels
Euphoria
Feeling of excitement
Effects
Short term
Constipation
Nausea
Vomiting
Subtopic
Diizziness
Lethargy
Long term
Addiction
Irregular heart beat
Depression
Pneumonia
Muscle pain
Hormonal issues
Impaired cognition
Regulations
DEA enacted a new regulation requiring that opioid production will be cut by 1/5-20%
Estimates of opioids needed for medical use is determined to analyze the amount of opioids necessary to treat people without overproducing the drug
How it's used
Clinically
For diarrhea
Cough
Anesthesia
Pain alleviation
Common forms
Many prescription/pain relieving medications containing opioids
Oxycodone
Morphine
Fentanyl
Codeine
Methadone
Hydromorphone
Natural opiates-alkaloids
Chemical compounds are derived from a plant-opium poppy is an example
Natural opiates include:
Thebaine
Morphine
Codeine
Semi synthetic
Created in labs from natural opiates
Semi synthetic opiates include
Hydrocodone
Oxycodone
Heroin-derived from morphine
Hydromorphone
Fully synthetic
Completely made by man
Fully synthetic opiates include:
Pethidine
Levorphanol
Fentanyl
Methadone
Tramadol
Dextropropoxyphene
Psychedelics
Common forms
Powdered or liquid
LSD
Also known as "acid"
Mushrooms
Contains psilocybin
Pills
Ecstacy
Ingestible papers
Usually in the form of acid
Concerns
Short term
Impaired judgement
Increased blood pressure/heart rate
Higher body temperature
Weakness
Tremors
Long term
Vascular problems
Headaches
Visual problem
Sometimes blindness
Constant hallucinations
Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder(HPPD)
Specifically associated with use of LSD
How it's used
Recreationally-used illegally
Clinically-1950-1970
Depression
Anxiety
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Subtopic
Currently being examined for medical benefits
How it works
Once ingested, psychedelics enhance sensory perception, thought processes, energy levels, thought processes
They do this by altering the chemicals in the brain through stimulating or suppressing neurotransmitters that are of the same chemical composition
Pain perception, responses to environment, emotion, learning and memory are impaired due to chemical imbalances in the brain
Hallucinations begin to occur
Classification
Subclass of hallucinogens
Mimic psychosis
Indoles and catechols
Effects
Short term
Closeness to others
Trust
Suggestibility
Enhanced emotion/empathy
Distorted sense of time/space
Long term
Flashbacks
Visual distortions
Anxiety
Nightmares
Paranoia
Seizure disorder
Headaches
Regulation
LSD and Psilocybin (forms of psychedelics) are considered schedule I drugs
High potential for abuse
Federally illegal
Denver, CO is the first city to support the decriminalization of psychedelics
Routes of administration
Snorted
Powdered form
Liquid on a small square paper or on a microdot tablet
Also known as a "Blotter paper"
Swallowed or dissolved on the tonugue
Usually how LSD is ingested
Eating
Usually how mushrooms-"shrooms" are ingested