Transcript Marijuana, LSD and Club Drugs

Chapter 9



Made up of the dried leaves and flowering tops of
the Cannabis plant, the drug is comprised of
about 400 chemicals, THC being the most potent
agent
Due to the many chemicals found in the plant, its
effects are complex and varied, depending on
where the plant is grown, and/or whether there
are any additives
Marijuana is known to have the effects of a
sedative, hallucinogen, a narcotic, a stimulant or
rarely, a psychomimetic (which drives one insane)



Worldwide, marijuana is the most commonly
used illegal substance
In a study done in 2005 that consisted of 97
mil people, about 25 mil have admitted to
using the substance at least once
Acute effects of marijuana usage include:
◦ Increased heart beat
◦ Reddened eyes
◦ Dryness of the mouth

Chronic effects include:
◦ ?

Marijuana’s medicinal properties have been
touted for years, as the drug has been used
to/for:
◦
◦
◦
◦

Stimulate appetite and alleviate cachexia.
Control nausea and vomiting associated with cancer
chemotherapy
Decrease intraocular pressure.
Analgesia
Neurological and movement disorders
The medicinal purpose of marijuana has been
a strong arguing point as to why the drug
should be legalized



LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is deemed a
mood changer with hallucinogenic properties
Originally manufactured in 1938 from fungi that
can be found in grains, its psychoactive
properties were discovered in 1943 by a chemist
who accidently inhaled the fumes of the
synthesized drug
In Hoffman’s report of the effects of the drug, he
simply stated “this drug makes normal people
psychotic.”


In 1964 the British army decided to test the
effects of LSD on their soldiers, to determine
whether the use of this drug would enhance
their duties in combat. It was not successful.
As the drug made its way into mainstream
culture, it was associated with “hippies”
during the Free Love Movement of the 1960’s
and 1970’s


LSD is not deemed addicting either physically
or psychologically, with most users stating
that the drug is consumed on a “once in a
while basis”
The textbook author postulates three
theories as to why LSD and other
hallucinogens and/or psychedelics are not
addictive:
◦ The body builds up a rapid tolerance/resistance
◦ The inability to function, or “come down” from the
high at will
◦ The drugs have inconsistent effects, due to the
differences in manufacturing for each batch




The main club drugs that we will cover are:
◦ GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate)
◦ Rohypnol
◦ Ketamine
◦ Ecstasy
Each of these drugs are similar in that they are
consumed in night clubs, parties, raves and concerts
They all began with a legal pharmaceutical purpose
before being deemed dangerous for recreational
consumption
GHB and Rohypnol are two of the most popular “date
rape drugs”


GHB is a sedative that produces a state of
relaxation and drunkenness, without the
hangover feeling in the morning
Originally dispensed as a sleep aid for
narcoleptics and anti-anxiety pill, other effects
include
◦ Building of muscle mass for body builders
◦ Inhibition of heart beat and breathing, like alcohol

GHB was classified as a Schedule I Drug in 2000


Rohypnol or “Roofies” is a sedative with a potency 10
times that of Valium
This drug is known to cause unconsciousness, short
term paralysis and amnesia



Ketamine or “Special K”, etc… is primarily
used by veterinarians to sedate animals,
namely horses
Although it functions as a painkiller, it
induces hallucinations within users, which
ended its medicinal career in humans around
the Vietnam War era
Some of the effects of Ketamine can be seen
here



Ecstasy , whose active ingredient is MDMA, was
synthesized in the early 20th century as an
appetite suppressant. That idea was shelved for a
few decades until the 1970’s, when the drug was
used in psychotherapy
Dubbed the “happy drug”, it induces feels of
warmth, empathy and euphoria in users, which it
is why it is termed an “empathogen” and
psychedelic rather than a hallucinogen
It is suspected that MDMA may play a detrimental
role in one’s natural serotonin and dopamine
levels, by depleting them