SUBSTANCES

ALCOHOL

Forms

Liquid

Wine

Beer/ Cider

Hard Liquor

Uses

Medicinally

Pre-1900s
(Not current)

Recreationally

Celebrate

Grieve

Socialize

Abuse

Classification

(Possibly stimulant?)

Regulation

USA

Illegal 1920-1933

Presently legal for
persons of age 21+
anyone

However, illegal to drink
while driving/ to have a
blood-alcohol content of
0.8% or higher

International

Illegal in 12 countries

Legal in most other
countries at age 18

Physiological Effects

Strain on organs

Liver

Pancreas

"Rosy"
flush in face

Low reaction time

"Depresses"
Central Nervous System

Slows chemical reactions in brain pathways

Psychological Effects

Loss of empathy

Increased confidence

Better dance moves

Better pick-up lines

Decreased
inhibition

Concerns

Long-Term

High
blood-pressure

Decreased
satisfaction
in life

Increased crime/ violence due to drunkenness

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Depression

Short-term

Risk of harm
to self/ others due to driving under the influence

Alcohol poisoning

Vision blurriness

Vomiting

"Hangover"

Routes of Admin.

Drink it up!

CANNABIS

Forms

Flower/ Bud

Concentrate

Uses

Medicinally

Ease the pain of ailments

Alzheimer's

Epilepsy

Cancer

Recreationally

Relieve stress/
get "high"

Classification

Depressant

Hallucinogenic

Regulation

Federal

Illegal

State

Medically legal

33 states

Recreationally legal

11 states

Physiological
Effects

Cannabinoids in marijuana
mimic the brain chemical
anandamide to produce
"joy" in the body

Psychological
Effects

THC

Euphoria

CBD

None

Concerns

Short-Term

Low reaction time/
poor coordination

Severe
anxiety

Increased/
irregular heart-rate

Red eyes

Impaired judgment

Sustain a poor odor

Long-Term

Risk of stroke

Decline in IQ/
memory/brain
gray matter

Potential for
addiction

Damage to internal organ

Diseases

Cancers

Failure

Routes of Admin.

Inhale

Bong/ Pipe

Joint/ Blunt

Vaporize

Eat

Baked
Goods

Gummies

Spreads/
Syrups

Apply

Lotion

Patches

CAFFEINE

Forms

Liquid

Coffee

Tea

Soda

Energy Drink

Capsules

Midol

Acetaminophen

Butlbital

Uses

Medicinally

See "Forms"

Recreationally

Habitually

Classification

Stimulant

Regulation

Totally legal/
unregulated

Unless you're
Mormon

Physiological Effects

Diuretic

Jitters/
Restlessness

Inferred increase in
physical energy

Psychological Effects

Increased mental
alertness

Boosts brain function

Concerns

Long-Term

Blocks calcium absorption

Increase
blood pressure

Addiction

Withdrawal symptoms

Headache

Irritability

Nausea

May impact
brain elasticity

Insomnia

Unknown effects on
pregnant women/
developing baby

Short-Term

Diarrhea

Dehydration

Crash ("Jolt Effect")

Increase anxiety

Decreased dexterity

"Caffeine steals from tomorrow
to give energy to today."

Routes of Admin.

Drink

Swallow (Capsules)

TOBACCO

Forms

Cured leaves

Uses

Recreationally

Socially

Classification

Stimulant

Depressant

Regulation

Federally legal
at age 18+

Illegal until age 21+
in 18 states

Physiological Effects

Decreased appetite

Surge of adrenaline

Psychological Effects

Improved mood

Improved concentration

Increased relaxation

Decreased
stress

Concerns

Long-Term

Staining/
loss of teeth

Lung damage

Skin damage

Various forms
of cancer

Decreased brain function

Lowered immune system

Short-Term

Shortness of breath

Increased heart rate

Mood swings

Decreased
lung function

Reduced sense of smell

Lowered
immune system

The Vaping Epidemic

Increased use
among minors

Unregulated chemicals

Lung damage

Yet undocumented
consequences

Routes of Admin.

Smoke

Cigarette

Cigar

Hookah

Pipe

Smokeless

Snuff Tobacco

Chewing Tobacco

Vape

E-Cigarette

Vape Pen

METH

Forms

Crystal

Powder

Pill

Uses

Medicinally

Treatment of
obesity

Treatment of ADHD

Dextromethamphetamine
hydrochloride

Desoxyn

Ritalin

Treatment of
narcolepsy

Recreationally

Classification

Stimulant

Regulation

Recreationally

Illegal

Medicinally

Federally legal
with prescription

Physiological Effects

Rapid release
of dopamine in
high quantities

Increased energy

Psychological Effects

Head "rush" of euphoria

Concerns

Short-Term

Anxiety

Insomnia

Hypothermia

Increased exposure
to HIV

Seizures

Long-Term

Lowered
immune system

Brain cell damage

Decreased
mental agility

Tooth decay

Paranoia

Hallucinations

Increased violence/
criminal activity

Routes of Admin.

Crystal

Smoke

Powder

Snort

Inject

Pill

Swallow

INHALANTS

Forms

Liquid

Glue

Paint thinner

Marker ink

Gasoline

Nitrite

Food

Chemical cleaner

Deodorizer

Gas

Butane

Propane

Laughing

Spray

Hair

Cooking

Paint

Uses

Recreationally

Get "high"

Medicinally

Anesthetic

Classification

Volatile substances

Solvents

Gases

Aerosols

Nitrites

Toxic fumes

Regulation

Recreationally

However,
38 states have
restrict the sales of
inhalable products
to minors

Not officially considered
a controlled substance

Medicinally

By a licensed practitioner

Because the doctor said so

Physiological Effects

Increases heart rate

Simulates
intoxication

Starves brain
of oxygen

Psychological Effects

Rapid "high"

Lightheadedness

Disinhibition

Concerns

Short-Term

Increase heart rate

Slurred speach

Lack of coordination

Dizziness

Poor judgment

Headache

Apathy

Nausea

Nosebleed

Long-Term

Organ damage

Addictive

Bone-marrow loss

Heart
failure

Depression

Muscle
weakness

Hearing loss

Routes of Admin.

Sniff

Huff

Bag

OPIOIDS

Forms

Natural

Morphine

Codeine

Semi-Synthetic

Oxycodone

Hydromorphone

Synthetic

Methadone

Fentanyl

Uses

Pain management

Classification

Depressant

Xanax

Valium

Ambien

Stimulant

Ritalin

Adderall

Regulation

Medicinally

Recreationally

Illegal

Physiological Effects

Substance attaches
to nerve cells
to block pain signals
from brain

Anti-diuretic

Cough supressant

Psychological Effects

"Normalness"
(i.e. without pain)

Concerns

Long-Term

Gastrointestinal damage

Hypotension

Heart failure

Bradycardia

Addiction/
dependence

Respiratory damage

Central Nervous
System damage

Weakened immune system

Decreased hormone production

Short-Term

Drowsiness

Shortened breath

Constipation

Unconsciousness

Nausea

Overdose

Routes of Admin.

Oral

Pills

Inject

Hypodermic
needle

PSYCHEDELICS

Forms

Powder/
Capsule

Synthetics

LSD

PCP

Liquid

"Tea"

Edible

Peyote

'Shrooms

Uses

Enhanced sensory experiences

Rave-culture

Spiritual
practices

Classification

Hallucinogenic

Anticholinergic

Schopalamine

Catecholamine-like

Mescaline

MDMA (Ecstacy)

Serotonin-like

LSD

DMT

Psilocybin/ Psilocin

Regulation

Internationally

Legal in Brazil, Jamaica,
The Netherlands, Bulgaria,
and Samoa

USA

Illegal
(Unless...)

Physiological Effects

Increased body
temperature

Pupil dilation

Psychological Effects

Relaxation

Take a "trip"

Hallucinations

Concerns

Long-Term

Psychosis

Bi-polar disorder

Memory loss

Paranoia

Increased
blood pressure

Mood instability

Short-Term

Loss of appetite

Weakness

Dryness
of mouth

Sweatiness

Numbness

Tremors

Hallucinations

Routes of Admin.

Snort

Inject

Swallow

Eat

Drink

Smoke