Alot of people want to know what drugs really can mess you up compared to what isn’t so bad, if you wish to do the comparisons yourself I reccomend going to erowid.org for the best unbiased drug information.
I’ll start out with the easy stuff:
my commentary in bold
Caffeine:
- DESCRIPTION:
Caffeine is a chemical with stimulant properties that is found in many plants including tea, coffee, and guarana. At commonly used doses it is a mild stimulant and cognitive enhancer that improves focus and mood.
DOSE: Caffeine is used at dosages ranging from 5-200 mg. On average, a drip-brewed cup of coffee contains 100-150 mg caffeine, a can of cola contains 35-45 mg, and a cup of tea contains 40-60 mg.
Price: Caffeine is widely available both in foods and beverages as well as in inexpensive capsules and tablets.
Law: Caffeine is legal in every country around the world. In the United States, Caffeine is approved as a food additive by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For beverages, the FDA limits caffeine content to 72 mg per 12 ounce (355 ml) serving. It is unclear why some brands of “energy drinks” appear to be legally sold with levels of caffeine above those allowed by the FDA.
Chemistery: Caffeine is a xanthine alkaloid, with a chemical name 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine (C8H10N4O2). Its structure is very similar to the stimulants theobromine (3,7-dimethylxanthine) and theophylline (1,3-dimethylxanthine), which are frequently found in the same plants as caffeine.
PHARMACOLOGY: When orally administered, caffeine is readily absorbed by the stomach and small intestine. It has a highly-variable elimination half-life, approximately 8-9 hours in adults. It is partially metabolized by the liver into the active dimethylxanthine stimulants theobromine and theophyline, along with other metabolites. Caffeine blockades receptors of the inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine, and this effect is believed to be the primary mechanism of its stimulant action. Caffeine also disinhibits GABA, the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter.
HISTORY: Throughout caffeine’s long history of use, which dates back into pre-history, it has been both praised and damned for its effects. Today caffeine is greeted with near-universal approval and caffeine may well be the most commonly-used psychoactive substance on the planet. Caffeine-producing plants like tea and coffee have been heavily cultivated and have played an important role in commerce throughout recorded history.
- EFFECTS:
ONSET: When taken orally, caffeine takes 15-45 minutes to reach its peak effects in the body although stimulant effects are noticeable at 5-10 minutes.
DURATION: The effects of caffeine are most strongly felt for approximately 2 to 4 hours after onset.
Cannabis:
DESCRIPTION: The strength of cannabis varies greatly from one variety to another. Some, known as ‘one-hit-shit’, requires only a single lung-full to reach full effects while other varieties require many hits to achieve the same effects. Additionally, the amount that one individual likes to smoke can be many times what another prefers. Generally, 1/8 ounce (3.5 g) of mid-quality bud could get around 20-30 people reasonably high.
My personal favorite, as I am high at the time of this writing.
PRICE: Cannabis is sold on the street for anywhere between $25 – $150 per 1/4 ounce depending on quality and location. In the U.S., prices are generally $30-$60 for 1/4 ounce of lower quality and $60-$120 for 1/4 ounce of high quality bud. Prices drop quickly as quantity goes up, with prices for one pound of the lowest quality cannabis going from 0 (leaves are sometimes given away during harvest) to $200 and good quality buds from $1200 – $2000 per pound
LAW: Both sales and possession of cannabis are illegal in the United States and most countries, however many states have legalized the medical use of cannabis. Additionally, some states have decriminalized the possession of personal use quantities (under 1/2 – 1 ounce) choosing to punish this with a fine rather than jail time.
Sadly this has been found a horrible drug, well just wait till we get to alchohol.
CHEMISTERY: The active ingredients in cannabis are called cannabinoids. There are many cannabinoids synthesized by the plant including tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabinol, cannabidiol, cannabinolidic acid, cannabigerol, and cannabichromene. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is thought to be responsible for most of the psychoactive effects of cannabis and is the active ingredient in synthetic thc pills such as marinol.
PRODUCTION: Cannabis plants do grow wild in many parts of the world, but the quality of wild specimens (‘ditch-weed’) is generally quite low. Most cannabis is cultivated intentionally and can be grown either indoors or out.
HISTORY: The cannabis plant has been used both medicinally and recreationally for thousands of years. It wasn’t until the early 19th century that the use of cannabis spread from China and the Middle East to the population of Europe and then to America in the middle of the century. Cannabis was made illegal in the U.S. in 1937 and has continued to be a popular recreational substance since that time.
I’ve read alot, and watched alot of videos researching the history of marijuana, it seems it was made illigal in texas where the marihuana tax act occored because someone said a mexican on this strange weed killed several people, for more info I suggest watching the documentary grass on youtube showing the entire history of marijuana! This also reminds me of the reason cocaine is illigal, the reason is someone said a black slave was high on cocaine and killed his slave masters, therefore cocaine was outlawed.
TERMINOLOGY / SLANG:
The Substance:Cannabis; Marijuana; Marihuana; Pot; Dope; Weed; Grass; Bud; Ganja; Mary Jane; Doobie; Hashish; Hash; Bhang.
The Experience:Stoned; High.
EFFECTS: The primary effects sought by those using cannabis recreationally are euphoria, relaxation, and changes in perception. Effects vary depending on dosage, with effects at low doses including a sense of well-being, mild enhancement of senses (smell, taste, hearing), subtle changes in thought and expression, talkativeness, giggling, increased appreciation of music, increased appetite, and mild closed-eye visuals. At higher doses, visuals may become more prominent, sense of time is altered, attention span and memory are frequently affected, and thought processes and mental perception may be significantly altered.
ONSET: When smoked, the effects of cannabis begin almost immediately. When eaten the effects can take 1 to 2 hours to manifest, based primarily on how much food is in the stomach.
DURATION: The effects of smoked cannabis peak after about 20 minutes and last for 1-2 hours. When eaten, the effects will peak more slowly and primary effects may last for 3-4 hours.
VISUAL EFFECTS: While most people do not experience a strong visual component to the cannabis experience, some do and some particular varieties of cannabis as well as higher doses are more likely to produce this effect.
Nutmeg:
Nutmeg is a narcotic, nutmeg can give you the feeling of being stoned and drunk when smoked, and when ingested you can feel high, drunk, and a trip.
- DESCRIPTION:
Nutmeg is the dried kernal of Myristica fragrans, a tree native to the Spice Islands, near New Guinea. Now cultivated in many places, the tree grows to about fifty feet high and bears seeds for up to sixty years. Its fruit looks much like a peach and contains a brownish-purple, shiny kernel encased within a bright orange-red or red covering. The covering, or aril, is used for production of mace; the seed, dried in the sun for about two months and turned over each day, becomes nutmeg. Both the kernel and its covering contain psychoactive components within their oils. (Psychedelics Encyclopedia)Nutmeg is used in the U.S. mainly as a garnish during Christmas festivities. It appears in the Hindu Pharmacopoeia as a treatment for fever, asthma and heart disease. Since the seventh century A.D., Arab physicians have used it for digestive disorders, kideny disease and lymphatic ailments. Yemeni men are said to consume nutmeg to increase and maintain their sexual vigor.LAW: Nutmeg is legal to possess, sell, or buy in the United States in all forms.CHEMISTERY: The primary effects of nutmeg use come from several active allylbenzenes they contain including myristicin, safrole, and elemicin.HISTORY: Nutmeg was introduced to the West in the early 16th century and its psychoactive properties were quickly discovered.
- EFFECTS:
ONSET: Effects can take 2-7 hours to come on, depending on how recently the last meal was eaten.
DURATION: The primary effects of a full dose of Nutmeg can last up to 24 hours. More minor secondary effects can continue for up to 72 hours.
Alchohol:
- DESCRIPTION:
Alcohol is one of the most common strong psychoactives used by humans. It has a long history of use and its intoxicating effects are well-studied and -documented.
LAW: Alchohol in the US is legal if you are over the age of 21.
CHEMISTERY: The primary effects of alchohol use come from Ethanol also known as ethyl hydrate or ethyl hydroxide.
HISTORY: Click here to read it yourself(in a new window of course).
- EFFECTS:
ONSET: Effects can take 15 – 30 minutes to come on, depending on how recently the last meal was eaten.
DURATION: The primary effects of a full dose of Alchohol can last up to 1.5 – 3 hours. Hangover effects can continue for up to 36 hours.
Nitrous Oxide:
Not bad once again, but with this one you gotta excersize your caution with, it can be addictive and you grow a tolerance quickly.
- DESCRIPTION:
Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is a simple gas that, when inhaled, causes rapid analgesia (pain relief), euphoria, mild sedation, and sometimes psychedelic dissociation. It has been used in dentistry since the mid 1800′s and recreationally since the late 1700′s when it earned the name ‘laughing gas’ because of its tendency to cause laughter in those who inhale.
DOSE: Nitrous is most frequently used in the form of whipped cream chargers, small metal cartridges which are ‘cracked’ either into a whipped cream canister or with a special ‘cracker’ into a balloon for inhalation. A single cartridge is between one and three lungs full of gas. One or two lung fulls is generally enough for a short nitrous experience although many people choose to use many cartridges throughout the course of a night.
PRICE: nitrous chargers are sold for between .50 USD per cartridge to 1.50 USD per cartridge depending on store and size of purchase. Balloons of nitrous at parties are sold from 3-5$ per balloon. Tank-refills of medical grade nitrous oxide are diverted from non recreational medical, chemical, and industrial use.
LAW: Nitrous Oxide is unscheduled in the United States and available over the counter. In many states it is illegal to sell Nitrous to a minor and in some states it is specifically illegal to inhale Nitrous Oxide for intoxication purposes. Nitrous oxide is controlled differerently around the world. A few countries control it as a pharmaceutical, while many allow its possession for food uses without any licensing.
CHEMISTRY: Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is an extremely simple naturally occurring gas which is produced synthetically for sale.
HISTORY: Nitrous Oxide gas was first discovered by English scientist Joseph Priestley in 1772 and was first published about in 1776. In 1799 Humphry Davy gave Nitrous to visitors at the Pneumatic Institute and coined the term “laughing gas”. Through his experiments he discovered Nitrous oxide’s analgesic effects in 1800. From 1800 to 1840, Nitrous was primarily used for recreation at travelling public shows, but in 1844-1845 Nitrous was recognized as having some medical use in dentistry. In the late 1800′s William James published some accounts of his work with Nitrous Oxide and called its effects of “some metaphysical significance”. Nitrous has remained popular throughout the 20th Century and is sold over the counter in small cartridges (“whippets”) for making whipped cream and in large tanks for industrial and medical purposes.
- EFFECTS:
ONSET: When inhaled, Nitrous generally reaches full effects within a few seconds.
DURATION: Effects from a single inhalation of Nitrous Oxide last a few minutes. Most recreational Nitrous use consists of multiple inhalations over a period of time.
Morning Glory Seed:
The morning glory flower’s seeds hold something that most people don’t know, they contain LSA witch is closely related to LSD.
- DESCRIPTION:
There are dozens of species of psilocybin or ‘magic mushrooms’ belonging primarily to the genuses psilocybe, panaeolus, and copelandia (unrelated to psychoactive amanita species). The effects of their ingestion resemble a shorter acting LSD trip, producing significant physical, visual, and perceptual changes.
Nearly all of the psilocybin containing mushrooms are small brown or tan mushrooms easily mistakable for any number of non-psychoactive, inedible, or poisonous mushrooms in the wild. This makes them somewhat difficult, and potentially hazardous, to identify. The primary distinguishable feature of most psilocybin containing mushrooms is that they bruise blue when handled.
DOSE: Threshold effects of LSA can be reached with as few as 25-50 seeds, though most recreational users find it necessary to ingest between 100 and 400 seeds to reach desired effects.
LAW: Although LSA is a schedule III substance in the United States, Morning Glory seeds and plants are sold at just about every nursery, garden store, or botanical supply store that you can find. In practice, little hassle is ever given to those who buy and ingest seeds, but extracting the active ingredient puts you in possession of a relatively pure chemical which is illegal to possess.
CHEMISTERY: The seeds of Ipomoea violacea contain about 0.1% ergot alkaloids, including ergotmetrine, chanoclavine and lysergol.
HISTORY: Morning Glory seeds called tlitlitzin were used ritually by the Aztec for their psychoactive properties. Spanish chroniclers in the mid 16th century reported on the divinitory use of these seeds. Their use has continued in southern Mexico, although it wasn’t until about 1900 that tlitlitzin was identified botanically as Morning Glory.
- EFFECTS:
ONSET: Because use is oral, onset is affected by the last food that was ingested. On a relatively empty stomach, onset of effects is about an hour after ingestion, although it can be many hours before peak effects are reached.
DURATION: Primary effects last 6-10 hours when seeds are taken orally.
Now I believe it’s time we moved into the hallucinagens other than marijuana that actually make you hallucinate.
Psilocybin Mushroom:
DESCRIPTION: There are dozens of species of psilocybin or ‘magic mushrooms’ belonging primarily to the genuses psilocybe, panaeolus, and copelandia (unrelated to psychoactive amanita species). The effects of their ingestion resemble a shorter acting LSD trip, producing significant physical, visual, and perceptual changes.
Nearly all of the psilocybin containing mushrooms are small brown or tan mushrooms easily mistakable for any number of non-psychoactive, inedible, or poisonous mushrooms in the wild. This makes them somewhat difficult, and potentially hazardous, to identify. The primary distinguishable feature of most psilocybin containing mushrooms is that they bruise blue when handled.
DOSE: Recreational doses range from 1-5 grams of dry mushrooms depending on the species and individual strength of the specimens. Dosages for wet mushrooms will be approximately 10 times higher (10-50 grams). Because different species vary in size, the number of mushrooms per gram will also vary.
PRICE: $20-$40 per 1/8 ounce. $100 – $250 per ounce.
LAW: Psilocybin mushrooms are illegal in the United States because they contain psilocybin and psilocin which are specifically listed as illegal (Schedule I).
CHEMISTRY: The primary effects of mushrooms come from several active alkaloids they contain; the most common are psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin. Psilocybin is a more stable compound than psilocin, but is broken down into psilocin after ingestion.
PRODUCTION: Psilocybin containing mushrooms grow wild across the United States and in many countries around the world. There are also several species which are easily cultivated with a fairly simple and inexpensive setup. Most recreationally used mushrooms are cultivated rather than picked wild.
HISTORY: Psilocybe mushrooms have been used for thousands of years by Native Americans in Central and South America. The first european record of their use showed up in the 16th century writings of a Spanish priest who wrote about the Aztec’s use of both mushrooms and peyote. In 1957, Wasson became the first in modern times to document and publish a description of his own experience (Life Magazine). The active ingredient of the mushrooms, psilocybin, was soon isolated and by the mid 60′s mushrooms were being both studied and used recreationally. In 1968 possession of psilocybin mushrooms was made illegal in the United States.
- EFFECTS:
In the beginning stages of onset, Mushrooms are likely to cause a sort of undefineable feeling similar to anticipation or anxiety. There may be a feeling of energy in the body, and the sense that things are different than usual. As the effects intensify, a wide variety of perceptual changes may occur; pupil dilation, visuals, mental stimulation, new perspectives, feelings of insight, quickly changing emotions (lots of laughter), possible paranoia and confusion. More advanced users may seek spiritual awareness or a sense of universal understanding through their use of mushrooms. Closed-eye visuals are extremely common with psilocybin mushrooms. Open-eye visuals are common for some people and are more likely at higher doses.
ONSET: Depending on how much and how recently one has eaten food, Mushrooms generally takes 30-60 minutes (though sometimes as long as 2 hrs) to take effect.
DURATION: The primary effects of magic mushrooms last for 4-6 hours when taken orally. For many people there is an additional period of time (2-6 hrs) where it is difficult to go to sleep and there is definitely a noticeable difference from everyday reality, but which is not strong enough to be considered ‘tripping’.
LSD:
- DESCRIPTION:
LSD is one of the most commonly used ‘psychedelic’ or ‘hallucinogenic’ substance. It comes in a variety of forms, but is virtually always taken orally. Today, LSD is most commonly found in the form of small squares of paper called blotter (full sheets of paper are decorated with artwork or designs, perforated, then soaked in liquid LSD solution and dried). Other forms include, pills, gelatin sheets or shapes (pyramids, cubes, etc), liquid, liquid sugar cubes, and powder. Blotter is most common because it is easily produced, easily concealable and the format allows for few adulterant chemicals.
DOSE: A standard dose of LSD for the past 20 years has been between 50 – 150 ug (micrograms). A single hit of most blotter paper contains somewhere in this range, though this varies depending on the source and there is no way for the average user to determine the strength of a piece of blotter other than by word of mouth. In the 60′s and 70′s, when LSD came primarily in pill form, the average single dosage unit was somewhat higher than it is with today’s blotter, more often in the 200-400 ug range. A drop of liquid can contain a huge amount of LSD but is generally made so that one drop is a single medium dose.
PRICE: Sold by the single hit of blotter, LSD sells for $3 to $10 per hit, though it sometimes ranges as high as $25 depending on where you purchase it. Captive markets such as raves generally produce high prices while friend to friend it is often sold at cheaper prices. Less common forms of LSD sell for somewhat higher prices ($8-10 for a single hit), and as with most substances, the price goes down if you buy in bulk. Sheets of 100 hits (blotter) generally range from $1-$2 per hit. One of the more novel things about the illicit LSD market is that within the LSD using community, it is somewhat common to give single doses away to friends and acquaintances at extremely cheap prices, if not free.
LAW: LSD is illegal in the United States (Schedule I) and in most other countries. It is also listed as Schedule I in the International Convention on Psychotropic Substances, an international drug control treaty.
CHEMISTRY: d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a synthetic chemical derived from ergot alkaloids which are produced by the ergot fungus which grows on rye.
PRODUCTION: LSD requires an experienced organic chemist to produce. All useful synthesis methods begin with Lysergic Acid which is schudule III. It is produced in crystal form, primarily by a small number of knowledgeable chemists in fully equipped laboratories. The DEA speculates that it is produced mainly in the United States and Canada.
HISTORY: LSD was first synthesized in 1938 and discovered to be psychoactive in 1943. It became popular in the ’60′s and was made illegal to possess in 1968. It has been widely available on the black market since that time.
EFFECTS: In the beginning stages of onset, LSD is likely to cause a sort of undefineably feeling similar to anticipation or anxiety. There is often a slight feeling of energy in the body, an extra twinkle to lights, or the feeling that things are somehow different than usual. As the effects become stronger, a wide variety of perceptual changes may occur; non-specific mental and physical stimulation, pupil dilation, closed and open eye patterning and visuals, changed thought patterns, feelings of insight, confusion, or paranoia, and quickly changing emotions (happiness, fear, giddiness, anxiety, anger, joy, irritation).
ONSET: Depending on how much and how recently one has eaten food, LSD generally takes 20 – 60 minutes (though sometimes as long as 2 hrs) to take effect.
DURATION: The primary effects of LSD last for 6-8 hours.. For many people there is an additional period of time (2-6 hrs) where it is difficult to go to sleep and there is definitely a noticeable difference from everyday reality, but which is not strong enough to be considered ‘tripping’.
Last but not least is the harder stuff. Primo anyone?
Cocaine:
Cocaine is a naturally derived CNS (central nervous system) stimulant extracted and refined from the Coca plant grown primarily in the Andean region of South America. Cocaine is typically a white-ish powder with a bitter, numbing taste. It is most often insufflated (snorted), though it can also be injected and used orally.
While powder cocaine can be smoked to some effect (despite common belief otherwise), it is a very inefficient method of ingestion. Because of the high temperatures present when smoking, powder cocaine tends to burn rather than vaporizing. For this reason, freebase cocaine, also known as crack in its street form, is created from powder cocaine for smoking. Freebase cocaine vaporizes at smoking temperatures providing more effect with less material, as well as faster onset and a more intense high than powder cocaine.
There really is no set amount people take they just do it, for info on dosages click here.
PRICE: $40-$200 per gram
LAW: Cocaine is illegal to possess and sell in the United States (schedule II) and in most other countries. It became a regulated substance in 1914, as one of the first substances to be made illegal in the U.S.
CHEMISTRY: The chemical name for cocaine is benzoylmethyl ecgonine (C17H21NO4). It is a bitter, white, odorless, crystalline drug.
HISTORY: Coca leaf chewing has been practiced for thousands of years. Cocaine was first isolated from the Erythroxylon coca plant around 1850. Medicinal use of Cocaine increased through the late 19th century and recreational use started to become a known problem in the early 20th century. Recreational use was banned in the United States in 1914.
TERMINOLOGY / SLANG:
The Substance:Cocaine: Coke; Snow; Nose Candy; Dust; White Lady; Toot; Llello.
Freebase Cocaine: Crack; Rock.
The Experience:Coked up.
- EFFECTS:
As with many substances, the effects of cocaine depend greatly on the person and the dose. Possible effects include feelings of well-being, decreased appetite, stimulation, sexual arousal, and increased focus. Negative effects can include increased body temperature and heart rate, agitation and anxiety, paranoia, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, violent behavior, kidney failure, seizure, stroke, and heart attack.
ONSET: Onset varies depending on method of ingestion. Snorting cocaine will produce effects within a minute. Smoking freebase cocaine produces effects almost immediately…often before exhaling. Injected cocaine also produces effects within a few seconds.
DURATION: The effects of snorted cocaine are quite short with the primary high lasting only 20-40 minutes. This is one of the reasons leading to problems with addiction. As the effects wear off, more is often snorted. This pattern of repeated use can quickly move in the direction of addiction. A hit of smoked Crack (freebase cocaine) will typically produce effects lasting 5-15 minutes.
Heroin:
- DESCRIPTION:
Heroin is a semi-synthetic opiate derived from morphine. Intravenously-injected heroin causes a rush of powerful euphoria lasting a few minutes, followed by sedation lasting a few hours. When injected IM or insufflated, there is a slower onset and a less intense peak of effects.
Heroin is primarily produced in Colombia, Mexico, Southeast Asia (especially Burma), and Afghanistan. Depending on how it is processed, it ranges from a thick sticky “black tar” to a brown, tan, or white powder. Street material varies greatly in potency from as high as 95% purity to as low as 5 or 10% purity. Heroin is most commonly injected (intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously), smoked, or insufflated (snorted).
DOSE: Dose depends greatly on the purity of the heroin and level of tolerance. Common IV doses generally fall between 5 and 10 mg; smoked heroin doses may range from 15 to 25 mg. Heroin users typically use small quantities of new material to determine potency and reduce the risk of overdose.
PRICE: According to the United Nations Office of Drug Control, in 2005 heroin cost between $40 and $350 per gram retail in the United States, while the price in the United Kingdom was much lower at about $27 per gram.
LAW: Heroin is illegal to possess and sell in the United States (Schedule I) and in most other countries.
CHEMISTRY: The chemical name for heroin is diacetylmorphine (C21H23NO5). It is a semi-synthetic opiate made by extracting morphine from the opium produced by opium poppies and then acetylating the morphine into diacetylmorphine (heroin).
PHARMACOLOGY: Heroin itself is believed to be inactive, but after administration it is rapidly metabolized into the mu-opioid agonists 6-monoacetylmorphine and morphine. Heroin delivers a more intense “rush” and more potent analgesia than morphine, probably because it crosses the blood-brain barrier more rapidly. It is also more soluble in water than morphine, and forms a more concentrated solution. Smoking yields rapid delivery, but relatively low bioavailability as a considerable amount of the drug is destroyed in combustion.
HISTORY: Opiates have been used for thousands of years for their euphoric and analgesic effects. Heroin was first synthesized in 1874 by English chemist C.R. Wright. But its commercial value was first recognized in 1897 by Heinrich Dreser and Felix Hoffman at the Bayer pharmaceutical laboratory — the same researchers who invented aspirin, which is is made by a similar process. Heroin was intended to be a less-addictive substitute for other common opiates.
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, heroin was common in over-the-counter medicines, but it was made illegal in the United States in 1924 through the Heroin Act. In the second half of the twentieth century, heroin was widely stigmatized as the quintessential illicit drug, as images of urban heroin addicts were propagated by media reports.
- EFFECTS:
The effects of heroin vary greatly depending on the quality of material, route of administration, the person, and the dose. Possible effects may include feelings of euphoria and well-being, relaxation, sedation, and analgesia. Negative effects may include nausea or vomiting (sometimes severe), constipation, dizziness, and blackout.
ONSET: Intravenous injection can produce strong effects in as little as 3-5 seconds. Smoking produces milder effects within 5-15 seconds. Intramuscular and subcutaneous injection produce a more gradual onset in 5-10 minutes. Insufflated heroin produces effects within 2-10 minutes. Oral use can take 60-90 minutes to produce effects.
DURATION: When injected intravenously, smoked, or insufflated, heroin produces a wash of euphoria followed by a period of sedation lasting for 2-4 hours. Intramuscular and subcutaneous injection typically lack the initial wave of intense euphoria, and cause feelings of sedation lasting three to five hours.
MDMA(ecstacy):
- DESCRIPTION:
MDMA, or ‘ecstasy’ is a ‘psychedelic amphetamine’ that has gained popularity over the past 20 years because of its ability to produce strong feelings of comfort, empathy, and connection to others. It most frequently comes in tablet form, although it is also found in capsules or as powder. It is most frequently used orally and rarely snorted. MDMA use is closely tied to the underground rave (and dance club) scene throughout the world, but has also been widely used by therapists as an adjunct to psychotherapy.
Because MDMA is so popular and because it goes well with dance parties, the demand for it usually exceeds supply–especially at any given location on any given night. This creates an opening for unscrupulous individucaffeine, ephedrine, amphetamines, MDA, MDE, DXM, or–in rare cases–DOB, and don’t necessarily contain MDMA or any psychoactive. This problem has led to the development of simple MDMA testing kitsals to sell virtually anything as ‘ecstasy’. While ‘ecstasy’ is the popular name for MDMA, the functional definition of ecstasy is any pill represented as MDMA on the street. Ecstasy pills are notoriously unreliable in content, more so than most other street drugs, and commonly contain either that may help give the user a general sense of the content of a pill.
DOSE: A standard oral dose of MDMA is between 80 – 150 mg. Most good quality pills contain somewhere in this range, generally 80-120 mg. A large percentage of users find that, unlike with many other psychoactives such as LSD or mushrooms, there is a ‘sweet spot’ in MDMA dosage. Once this spot is found, higher dosages are not particularly desirable as they don’t increase the sought after effects or duration.
PRICE: The price of MDMA varies wildly depending on where it’s purchased and in what quantity. Prices are much higher in the United States and Canada than they are in Europe. In the U.S., a single tablet purchased at a commercial event can cost as much as $50 though more commonly $10-$25. Purchased in higher quantities MDMA generally sells for $80-$200 per gram (about $8-25 per dose), with wholesale prices as low as $40 per gram. In Europe, in 2008 and 2009, prices were much lower at around 30-80 Euro per gram and 2-8 Euro per tablet.
LAW: MDMA is illegal in the United States (Schedule I) and in most other countries. It is also listed as Schedule I in the International Convention on Psychotropic Substances, an international drug control treaty.
CHEMISTRY: 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methamphetamine (MDMA) is a synthetic chemical that can be derived from an essential oil of the sassafras tree.
HISTORY: MDMA was first synthesized in the 1890s and later patented by Merck pharmaceuticals on December 24, 1912, but it wasn’t until the mid 1970s that articles related to its psychoactivity began showing up in scholarly journals. In the late ’70s and early ’80s MDMA was used as a psychotherapeutic tool and also started to become available on the street. Its growing popularity led to it being made illegal in the United States in 1985 and its popularity has continued to increase since then.
EFFECTS: When the full effects of MDMA manifest, barring an uncommon negative reaction, users are likely to find that suddenly everything is right with the world. The primary effects sought by those using MDMA recreationally are the emotional openness, euphoria, stimulation, reduction of critical and cynical thoughts, and decrease of inhibitions that can accompany its use. MDMA is used by some individuals in a therapeutic setting to attempt to work through difficult interpersonal issues. Although MDMA can cause nystagmus (eye wiggles), most individuals experience few prominent open or closed eye visuals. A small percentage of users report significant visual distortions.
ONSET: Depending on how much and how recently one has eaten food, MDMA generally takes 30-60 minutes (although sometimes as long as 2 hours) to take effect. Unlike with many other psychoactives, the onset of MDMA is very quick. Often at the point one realizes that perhaps they are starting to notice effects, they are already ‘launching’ quickly towards the peak. This quick and extremely sharp ‘launch’ can be unnerving, feeling a bit like it’s too quick and hard to know when it’s going to end, but the feeling generally only lasts a few minutes until the full effects are reached.
DURATION: The primary effects of MDMA last approximately 3-4 hours when taken orally. For many people there is an additional period of time (2-6 hrs) where it is difficult to go to sleep and there is definitely a noticeable difference from everyday reality, but which is not strong enough to be considered ‘tripping’. Many people also experience a noticeable shift in mood for several days after use; for some this is a period of depression while others experience lifted mood.
THE CRASH: Some users of MDMA experience a dramatic worsening of mood as the peak effects wear off, often called the “crash”. This is often the result of coming down from a wonderful experience, not wanting the feelings to go away, and being sad, scared, or annoyed afterwards. Crashes do not happen after every experience and some users never experience them. One of the primary problems associated with crashing is that some users find themselves redosing in order to stave it off.
HANGOVER: Many users report feeling extremely drained the day after MDMA use. This ‘day after’ effect means for many MDMA users that they need to plan 2 days for the experience: one for the peak experience and one recovery day, with very little planned. Many users also experience some level of post-MDMA depression, often starting on the second day after the experience and lasting for up to 5 days. A small percentage of users report depressive symptoms for weeks afterwards. Alternately, some users report feeling better than normal for a week or so after taking MDMA. The negative after-effects of taking MDMA appear to be worse with higher frequencies of use, higher dosages, and perhaps total lifetime usage.
Methamphetamine:
- DESCRIPTION:
Methamphetamine is a stimulant chemical commonly used as a recreational drug. It is legally prescribed as a treatment for ADD under the brand name Desoxyn, for both children and adults. On the street, it is generally found as an odorless, white or off-white, bitter-tasting powder, though it is also found in pills, capsules and larger crystals. It is frequently snorted, but is also used orally, smoked, and injected.
Methamphetamine production is a relatively simple process, especially when compared to many other recreational drugs. It is frequently reported on in the media when home meth-producing labs are busted.
LAW: Methamphetamine is Schedule II in the United States, meaning that it is illegal to buy, sell, or possess without a prescription. It is legally controlled in most countries, although it has medical uses, so it is also available by prescription in many places.
CHEMISTRY: Powder methamphetamine is the hydrochloride salt form which is strongly hygroscopic (absorbs water from the air quickly). The HCl salt is smokable as is. Crystal meth “Crystal Meth” or “Ice” refer to methamphetamine grown into crystals. Though many people believe that Crystal Meth is the freebase form of methamphetamie HCl, this is not true. Methamphetamine is smokable in its normal HCL form, but taking the time to grow it into crystals makes it easier to smoke. Meth in visible crystals (rather than powder) is likely to be relatively pure as it is difficult to grow crystals from impure material. Methamphetamine freebase is an oil and is uncommon on the street.
PRODUCTION: The production of Methamphetamine is a fairly simple process which makes it easy to produce in makeshift home laboratories.
HISTORY: While Amphetamine was first synthesized in 1887 in Germany, methamphetamine wasn’t synthesized until 1919 in Japan.
- EFFECTS:
ONSET: Oral use takes about half an hour to produce effects. When smoked, effects are almost instantaneous, and nearly as quick when snorted.
DURATION: 4-8 hours when smoked.
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