Drugs/ Other Substances

Cannabis

Forms

CBD

THC

How it is Used

Recreation

Medical

Regulation

Illegal on Federal Level

Legal in 12 states for both medical and recreational use over 21 years old

Legal in 21 states for Medical use only age may differ state to state and depending on medical purpose

Routes of Administration

Smoking

Goes from lungs to blood stream and then into the brain

Edible

Goes into digestive track, then the blood stream, and then into the brain.

Effects

Pain Relief

Increase your dopamine

Increase or decrease anxiety levels

Red Eyes

Dry Mouth

Slow reaction time

Increased appetite

Concerns

Increase risk of Lung Cancer

Weakened Immune System

Bronchitis

How it Works

Increases the level of dopamine

Alcohol

Forms

Beer

Wine

Whisky

All in liquid form, more other types exists

How its used

Recreational

Regulation

Legal in all states in the US but must be over the age of 21

Routes of Administration

Ingestion/ oral

Effects

Slurred speech

Blurry Vision

Fatigue

Coordination

Concerns

Liver damage/ cancer

Heart damage

Birth Defects

Dependence

How it Works

It blocks receptors in the brain.

Tobacco

Forms

Chewing tobacco

Cigarettes

E-cigarettes

Pipe

Patches

Gum

Cigars

Etc.

How it is Used

Recreationally, and if genetically modified by scientists medically for some autoimmune diseases

Regulation

The FDA has regulation on tobacco products under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Must be at a certain age to purchase tobacco products, age varies state to state.

Routes of Administration

Topical, oral, inhalation, rectal, intranasal

Effects

Increased heart rate

Poor vision

Mood stimulation

Anxiety

Irritability

Dull smell and taste

Coughing

Concerns

Bronchitis

Lung cancer

Heart disease

High cholesterol

Blood clotting

Infertility problems

How it Works

Stimulates adrenal glands which release epinephrine into the body and increases the level of dopamine.

Inhalants

Forms

Glues

Markers

Acetone

Poppers

Aerosol

How it is used

Recreationally mostly, however there is one medical use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas)

Regulation

No regulation

Routes of Administration

Inhalation

Effects

Dizziness

Hallucinations

Mood Swings

Headache

Vomiting

Balance

Altered moods

Cardiac arrests

Concerns

Addiction after long term use

Death

Loss of concentration

Short term memory

Hearing loss

Muscle spasms

Permanent brain damage

How it Works

Depends on the inhalant, some have a similar effect on the brain as alcohol, others increase the size of blood vessels making your heart race.

Caffeine

Forms

Energy Drinks

Coffee

Tea

Pills

Soft Drinks

Etc.

How it is used

Both Medical and Recreational

Regulation

FDA requires labeling on any product that has caffeine in it.

Routes of Administration

Drinking, chewing (gum), so orally

Effects

Alertness

Rapid Heart Beat

Headache

Jitters

Decreased risk of oral cancer

Concerns

Pregnancy issues

Fertility problems

Effect bones

How it Works

The human body has receptors in the brain called adenosine, and caffeine helps to fool the adenosine receptors which usually bond with adenosine the brain makes. Caffiene helps block this bond from happening which prevents fatigue or exhuastion.

Methamphetamine

Forms

Crystal Meth

Glass/ Ice

Speed

Subtopic

How it is used

Medically

Recreationally

Regulation

Under Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act

Routes of Administration

Smoking

Pill

Snorting

Injecting/dissolving

Effects

More energy

Increased breathing

Increased attention

Hypothermia

Increased perspiration

Panic attacks

Increased violence

Dry mouth

Weight Loss

Effects sleeping patterns

Concerns

Dependence

Paranoia

Hallucinations

Stroke

How it works

It increases the level of dopamine released in the brain. However, this excess dopamine is not stored or "recycled" for later. It creates an overstimulated brain that can only be replaced by a wave of unpleasant feelings which trigger the user to use again to feel good again.

Hi

Forms

How

Psychedelics

Forms

PCP

Salvia

Benadryl

Nightshade

How it is Used

Recreationally

Religously

Regulation

Federal has it under a Schedule I drugs

Routes of Administration

Oral

Inhalation

Intravenous

Intramuscular

Rectal

Transdermal

Effects

Hallucinations

Anxiety

Memory Loss

Subtopic

Dry Mouth

Tremors

Concerns

Seizures

Decreased heart beat

Shallow breathing

How it Works

Stimulates the serotonin receptor 2A in the brain making the user feel an altered state of being.

Opioids

Forms

Heroin

Synthetic Fentanyl

Pain medication (prescribed by physician)

Oxycodone, morphine, hydrocodone... etc.

How it is Used

Medically

Recreationally (Illegally)

Regulation

Federal

State

Routes of Administration

Intravenous

Oral

Intramuscular

Effects

Drowsiness

Shallow breathing

Nausea

Constipation

Concerns

Very addictive

Loss of consciousness

Shallow breathing

Slow Heart Beat

How it Works

Floods the brain with dopamine and blocks receptors to the brain, helping with reduction in pain.