There are many mind altering substances that are used by people for various reasons. Some people use them for medical reasons while others use them for pleasure. The use of these substances has been both criticized and lauded. Here we’ll be looking at the most popular mind altering substances in the world.
Marijuana
Marijuana is one of the most popular mind altering substances in the world. It is a greenish-grey mixture of the dried flowers of Cannabis sativa. This is a plant which is indigenous to central and south Asia. Marijuana has two main active compounds- THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is the compound that gives the user the ‘high’ associated with the use of marijuana. Marijuana can be used for medical reasons such as the treatment of pain, nausea, and anxiety disorders. It is also used recreationally for pleasure. According to the United Nations, it is the most widely used psychoactive drug across the world.
Forms of Marijuana
There are many forms of marijuana, some of them include:
- Flower or bud
- Concentrates
- Edibles
- Tinctures
- Capsules
The Health Effects of Marijuana Use
While marijuana is used for medical reasons, it also has some health effects on the body. Some of these effects include:
- Short-term memory impairment
- Increased appetite
- Increased heart rate
- Decrease in blood pressure
- Increased risk of lung infections
- Psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, and hallucinations
Alcohol
Alcohol is another popular mind altering substance used worldwide. It is a colourless liquid that is usually consumed as a beverage. The main active compound in alcohol is ethanol. Alcohol is used for many reasons such as socializing, celebrating, and relaxation. It is also used for medical purposes such as the preservative of tinctures.
The Forms of Alcohol
The most common forms of alcohol include:
- Beer
- Wine
- Spirits
- Liqueurs
The Health Effects of Alcohol Use
Alcohol use, like marijuana use, also has some health effects on the body. Some of these effects include:
- Short-term memory impairment
- Increased risk of accidents
- Behavioural changes
- High blood pressure
- Liver disease
- Poor judgement
Tobacco
Tobacco is another popular mind altering substance used worldwide. It is a product made from the dried leaves of Nicotiana tabacum. The main active compound in tobacco is nicotine. Tobacco is usually consumed by smoking, chewing or inhaling and is usually used for pleasure. It is also taken as an ingredient in some medicines.
The Forms of Tobacco
The most common forms of tobacco include:
- Cigarettes
- Cigars
- Chewing tobacco
- Snuff
The Health Effects of Tobacco Use
Tobacco, like alcohol and marijuana, has some health effects on the body. Some of these effects include:
- Respiratory problems
- Increased risk of cancers
- Heart disease
- Inhalation of harmful chemicals
- Contributes to poor health and premature ageing
Psychedelics
Psychedelics are mind altering substances that affect the mind and the senses. They alter one’s thought processes and can change the way a person sees the world. Psychedelics are used for recreational purposes, religious purposes and medical purposes. Some of the most commonly used psychedelics include:
- LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)
- Mushrooms
- DMT (Dimethyltryptamine)
- MDMA (Methylene dioxy methamphetamine)
The Health Effects of Psychedelic Use
Psychedelics, like other mind altering substances, also have some health effects on the body. Some of these effects include:
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle weakness
- Psychological effects such as hallucinations, paranoia and anxiety
- Experiencing negative thoughts and emotions
Opioids
Opioids are mind altering substances that have a similar effect to that of painkillers. They are mainly used for pain relief and are highly addictive. Some of the most commonly used opioids include:
- Heroin
- Morphine
- Fentanyl
- Codeine
The Health Effects of Opioid Use
Opioid use, like other mind altering substances, has some health effects on the body. Some of these effects include:
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Psychological effects such as nausea and depression
- Increased risk of addiction and overdose
Cocaine
Cocaine is another popular mind altering substance that is used worldwide. It is a stimulant that is usually consumed as a powder. The main active compound in cocaine is called cocaine hydrochloride. It is used for recreational purposes and can also be used for medical purposes such as local anaesthesia.
The Health Effects of Cocaine Use
Cocaine use, like other mind altering substances, has some health effects on the body. Some of these effects include:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Psychological effects such as paranoia and anxiety
- Contributes to poor health and premature ageing
- Increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and other diseases
Ketamine
Ketamine is another popular mind altering substance that is used worldwide. It is a dissociative anaesthetic that is usually used for medical purposes. It is also used recreationally for its mind altering effects. The main active compound in ketamine is called ketamine hydrochloride.
The Health Effects of Ketamine Use
Ketamine use has some health effects on the body. Some of these effects include:
- Poor coordination
- Increased risk of addiction and overdose
- Psychological effects such as anxiety and hallucinations
- Loss of memory and sense of reality
Conclusion
There are many mind altering substances used worldwide. These substances have both positive and negative effects on the body. The health effects of these substances can be mild or severe depending on the duration of use and the amount consumed. The most commonly used mind altering substances include marijuana, alcohol, tobacco, psychedelics, opioids, cocaine, and ketamine.
FAQs
Here are some of the most common questions relating to the use of mind altering substances and their answer.
Question 1: What is the most widely used psychoactive drug?
Answer: The most widely used psychoactive drug in the world is marijuana according to the United Nations.
Question 2: What are the health effects of marijuana use?
Answer: Marijuana use has some health effects on the body including short-term memory impairment, increased appetite, increased heart rate, and psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, and hallucinations.
Question 3: What are the health effects of alcohol use?
Answer: Alcohol use has some health effects on the body including short-term memory impairment, increased risk of accidents, behavioural changes, high blood pressure, liver disease, and poor judgement.
Question 4: What are the health effects of tobacco use?
Answer: Tobacco use has some health effects on the body including respiratory problems, increased risk of cancers, heart disease, inhalation of harmful chemicals, and contributes to poor health and premature ageing.
Question 5: What are the health effects of psychedelic use?
Answer: Psychedelic use has some health effects on the body including loss of appetite, muscle weakness, and psychological effects such as hallucinations, paranoia, and anxiety.
Question 6: What are the health effects of opioid use?
Answer: Opioid use has some health effects on the body including constipation, drowsiness, psychological effects such as nausea and depression, and increased risk of addiction and overdose.
Question 7: What are the health effects of cocaine use?
Answer: Cocaine use has some health effects on the body including increased heart rate and blood pressure, psychological effects such as paranoia and anxiety, and contributes to poor health and premature ageing.
Question 8: What are the health effects of ketamine use?
Answer: Ketamine use has some health effects on the body including poor coordination, increased risk of addiction and overdose, psychological effects such as anxiety and hallucinations, and loss of memory and sense of reality.
References
- https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/CannabisCriticalReview.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4827335/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3686329/
- https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh22-4/277.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5233563/