README FIRST
- Alcohol
- Alprazolam
- Amphetamines
- Anabolic steroids
- Benzodiazepines
- Caffeine
- Citalopram
- Cocaine
- Codeine
- Dimethyltryptamine
- Ecstasy
- Gabapentin
- GBL/GHB
- Heroin
- Hydromorphone
- Inhalants
- Ketamine
- Khat
- Kratom
- LSD
- Marijuana
- Mephedrone
- Mescaline
- Methamphetamine
- Methylphenidate
- Morphine
- New psychoactive substances
- Nitrites
- Nitrous oxide
- Opium
- Oxycodone
- Phencyclidine
- Phenobarbital
- Psilocybin
- Salvia divinorum
- Synthetic cannabinoids
- Tobacco
- Tramadol
Alcohol
Sought after effects
- relaxed feeling,
- enables people to enjoy socialising,
- release pent-up aggression,
- mild intoxication,
- cheerfulness,
- relaxation.
Undesired effects
- weakens bodily control and coordination,
- blurred vision,
- slurred speech,
- decreased sexual performance,
- dehydration,
- disinhibition,
- confusion.
See Alcohol for further details.
Alprazolam
Sought after effects
- relaxation,
- sleepiness,
- occasional mild euphoria (happiness),
- feelings of peace and tranquility,
- relaxation of the body and mind,
- improved sleep.
Undesired effects
- drowsiness,
- dizziness/loss of coordination,
- headaches,
- sometimes mild amnesia,
- problems with speech and coordination,
- feeling dizzy and disoriented,
- poor memory and concentration,
- reduced blood pressure,
- reduced respiration rate.
See Alprazolam for further details.
Amphetamines
Sought after effects
- increased energy,
- increased sex drive,
- euphoria (intense happiness) at higher doses,
- alertness,
- confidence.
Undesired effects
- reduced appetite,
- restlessness,
- loss of coordination (at higher doses),
- insomnia,
- loss of appetite,
- dry mouth.
See Amphetamines for further details.
Anabolic steroids
Sought after effects
- assists the male sexual function,
- enhances libido,
- increases production of red blood cells (good for building muscles),
- enhanced muscle mass,
- enhanced performance,
- greater physical definition.
Undesired effects
- high blood pressure,
- liver damage (especially tablet form),
- can reduce testicle size,
- inability to get an erection,
- sterility/impotence,
- shrinking and hardening of testicles,
- breast enlargement,
- enlarged clitoris,
- disruption to menstrual cycle,
- growth of facial hair,
- acne,
- deepening of the voice.
See Anabolic_Steroids for further details.
Benzodiazepines
Sought after effects
- calm and relaxed,
- induces long periods of sleep,
- relaxation,
- reduced anxiety,
- euphoria.
Undesired effects
- short-term memory loss,
- reduced mental alertness,
- anxiety,
- drowsiness,
- light-headedness,
- loss of coordination,
- confusion.
See Benzodiazepines for further details.
Caffeine
Sought after effects
- mild stimulation,
- alertness,
- reduces feelings of tiredness.
Undesired effects
- sleeplessness,
- tension,
- palpitations,
- anxiousness.
See Caffeine for further details.
Citalopram
Sought after effects
- relief of anxiety,
- decrease in suicidal thoughts,
- improves general quality of life,
- improvements in mood.
Undesired effects
- sexual dysfunction,
- loss of appetite,
- hypertension,
- sleep disturbances,
- withdrawal,
- dietary restrictions (for maois)
See Citalopram for further details.
Cocaine
Sought after effects
- sense of euphoria,
- increased wakefulness,
- increased confidence,
- exhilaration,
- elation.
Undesired effects
- anxiety,
- increased chance of stroke and heart attack,
- 'comedown' (usually depressed and tired feeling) as effects wear off,
- insomnia,
- loss of appetite,
- tension,
- aggression.
See Cocaine for further details.
Codeine
Sought after effects
- good for opiate detox/reduction,
- minor euphoric action,
- less stigmatised (compared to other opiates),
- calmness,
- reduced anxiety,
- relaxation,
- pain relief.
Undesired effects
- very constipating (could be considered positive if suffering from IBS-type symptoms),
- minimum euphoria compared with other options,
- dose conversion is difficult,
- urine tests as morphine/heroin,
- drowsiness,
- confusion,
- disorientation,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- itching and flushing of the skin.
See Codeine for further details.
Dimethyltryptamine
Sought after effects
- visual perception (seeing bright colours, geometric shapes, 'soft edge' to objects),
- intense dreams,
- change in self-perception and identity (disconnection from senses when sought),
- changes in consciousness,
- distorted reality.
Undesired effects
- hallucinations can become frightening (overly intense),
- sense of disconnection from self,
- effect/comedown can be rapid and abrupt,
- disorientation,
- increased heart rate,
- increased blood pressure,
- nausea,
- vomiting.
See Dimethyltryptamine for further details.
Ecstasy
Sought after effects
- sense of euphoria,
- feelings of empathy or emotional understanding in and between individuals,
- exhilaration,
- energy.
Undesired effects
- raised blood pressure,
- raised body temperature,
- 'comedown' (usually depressed and tired feeling) as effects wear off,
- sweating,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- nystagmus,
- dehydration,
- confusion,
- anxiety.
See Ecstasy for further details.
Gabapentin
Sought after effects
- improved sociability,
- euphoria,
- relaxation,
- a sense of calm,
- cannabis-like high.
Undesired effects
- drowsiness,
- sedation,
- respiratory depression,
- death,
- vomiting,
- nausea,
- flatulence,
- constipation or diarrhoea,
- poor muscle control,
- visual disturbances.
See Gabapentin for further details.
GBL/GHB
Sought after effects
- uninhibited,
- mild euphoria,
- relaxed feeling,
- aids sleep,
- a supplement for body building.
Undesired effects
- loss of body control - effects similar to alcohol which can last for several hours,
- feeling sick and being sick,
- numb muscle and disorientation,
- seizures and collapse,
- psychosis and severe agitation,
- tachycardia,
- delirium,
- auditory and visual hallucinations,
- paranoia ,
- dizziness,
- short-term memory loss.
See GBL / GHB for further details.
Heroin
Sought after effects
- powerful euphoriant,
- relaxing effects,
- feelings of wellbeing and freedom from worry,
- intense rush,
- exhilaration,
- decreased anxiety.
Undesired effects
- nausea,
- loss of balance,
- overdose can be fatal,
- vomiting,
- drowsiness,
- decreased heart-rate,
- shallow breathing,
- coma.
See Heroin for further details.
Hydromorphone
Sought after effects
- intense pleasure,
- physical relaxation and decreased tension,
- decreased anxiety and worry,
- increased sleepiness.
Undesired effects
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- constipation,
- headache,
- insomnia,
- decreased appetite,
- feeling lightheaded or dizzy,
- increased sweating,
- hyperalgesia, or worsening pain,
- anxiety,
- depression.
See Hydromorphone for further details.
Inhalants
Sought after effects
- dreaminess,
- relaxed,
- fits of giggles (with laughing gas),
- intoxication,
- disinhibition,
- reduced anxiety.
Undesired effects
- can experience vomiting and blackouts,
- mood swings,
- aggressive behaviour and hallucinations,
- potential breathing problems with chronic use,
- memory impairment,
- solvents and glue often perceived as a 'losers habit' in many circles,
- confusion,
- drowsiness,
- loss of coordination,
- slurred speech,
- nausea,
- visual disturbance.
See Inhalants for further details.
Ketamine
Sought after effects
- sense of euphoria,
- pain relieving,
- a feeling that mind is separate from the body - described as a floating feeling.
Undesired effects
- causes loss of coordination,
- numbness in limbs,
- higher doses can cause an 'out-of-body' experience - the 'K hole,
- drowsiness,
- dizziness,
- confusion,
- hallucinations.
See Ketamine for further details.
Khat
Sought after effects
- euphoric high accompanied by a sensation down the spine and through the body,
- talkative,
- mild euphoria,
- mild excitement,
- alertness,
- excitement,
- dilated pupils.
Undesired effects
- It can cause excessive sleepiness and depression,
- insomnia,
- loss of appetite,
- dry mouth,
- hyperactivity,
- constipation.
See Khat for further details.
Kratom
Sought after effects
- simultaneous stimulation and sedation,
- feelings of empathy,
- feelings of euphoria,
- aphrodisiac qualities for some people,
- vivid waking dreams,
- increases sociability and talkativeness.
Undesired effects
- mild depression during and/or after,
- increase in (perceived) body temperature (feel hot and sweaty),
- desire to repeat experience more frequently than intended, can lead to addiction,
- tolerance building quickly after a few days in a row of repeated use, tolerance to effects reduces with a one to three days of abstinence,
- psychosis,
- convulsions,
- hallucinations.
See Kratom for further details.
LSD
Sought after effects
- effects similar to magic mushrooms,
- senses become distorted,
- perceptual changes to time, space and meaning,
- hallucinations,
- hilarity.
Undesired effects
- distortions can be frightening - 'bad trip',
- can negatively affect people who have mental health problems,
- confusion,
- disorientation,
- loss of coordination,
- distortions in time and space.
See LSD for further details.
Marijuana
Sought after effects
- mellow, calm feeling,
- sense of well-being,
- changes in senses, especially eating hash cakes,
- often thought of as an aphrodisiac,
- stimulates appetite,
- pain killer (analgesic),
- relaxation,
- euphoria,
- hilarity.
Undesired effects
- increase in pulse rate,
- drop in blood pressure,
- sense of lethargy,
- concerns about the effect on the mental health of the young,
- can affect short term memory,
- can affect coordination,
- anxiety,
- paranoia,
- confusion,
- low blood pressure,
- short term memory loss,
- increased appetite.
See Marijuana for further details.
Mephedrone
Sought after effects
Effects have been noted as similar to cocaine and MDMA
- feelings of happiness,
- wakefulness,
- sociable.
Undesired effects
- 'comedown' (usually depressed and tired feeling) as effects wear off,
- anxiety.
See Mephedrone for further details.
Mescaline
Sought after effects
- feelings of interconnectedness,
- spiritual events,
- euphoria,
- increased sensitivity to touch,
- increased sense of smell,
- music enhancement,
- increased persistence of vision.
Undesired effects
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- unwanted spiritual experiences,
- tension,
- anxiety,
- intense feelings of dread and doom.
See Mescaline for further details.
Methamphetamine
Sought after effects
- euphoria,
- increased energy,
- talkativeness,
- heightened libido,
- increased alertness,
- concentration,
- enhance self-esteem,
- appetite suppressant.
Undesired effects
- panicky,
- obsessive,
- excessive sweating,
- sexually irresponsible,
- irritability,
- paranoia,
- confusion,
- diarrhoea,
- nausea,
- loss of appetite,
- insomnia,
- tremors,
- jaw-clenching,
- agitation,
- talkativeness.
See Methamphetamine for further details.
Methylphenidate
Sought after effects
- increased alertness,
- euphoria,
- increased motivation,
- abundance of energy.
Undesired effects
- increased body temperature,
- tachycardia,
- hypertension,
- dehydration,
- paranoia,
- racing thoughts,
- insomnia.
See Methylphenidate for further details.
Morphine
Sought after effects
- very effective painkiller (often the only effective pain relief for chronic pain syndromes),
- wide range of formulations available,
- euphoria,
- relaxation,
- decreased anxiety.
Undesired effects
- large dose usually required,
- short-acting,
- very 'prickly' when injected,
- dose increases usually required (variable 'ceiling' dose),
- doctors often reluctant to prescribe,
- sweating,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- drowsiness,
- respiratory depression,
- constipation.
See Morphine for further details.
New psychoactive substances
Sought after effects
- Varied. Many substances will have stimulant or hallucinogenic effects or a combination of both.
Undesired effects
- Varied. See individual substances for more information, if available.
See New psychoactive substances for further details.
Nitrites
Sought after effects
- short intense rush,
- intense exhilaration,
- you get a huge rush of blood to the head - like you're hanging upside down or something,
- if you're having sex, it increases all the good feelings every touch feels much nicer than normal,
- you might feel light-headed, giddy, or just really hot,
- some people feel like time has slowed down.
Undesired effects
- dizziness,
- flushing,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- headache,
- disorientation,
- fainting,
- erection difficulties,
- sore throat,
- painful eyes,
- nasty skin rash.
See Nitrites for further details.
Nitrous oxide
Sought after effects
- relaxation,
- mild euphoria (often giggling),
- head rush/light headedness.
Undesired effects
- headaches,
- nausea.
- mood swings,
- excessive use can cause breathing difficulties and heart problems,
- it makes you clumsier than a drunk clown, lots of people fall over and hurt themselves,
- it can make you feel like you're going to vomit, especially if you mix it with alcohol,
- some people get an instant headache of epic proportions,
- too much can make you faint.
See Nitrous oxide for further details.
Opium
Sought after effects
- calm,
- drowsy,
- dreamy state of mind,
- initial stimulation,
- enhanced imagination,
- euphoria,
- relaxation,
- decreased anxiety,
- sleep.
Undesired effects
In normal sized doses -
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- drowsiness,
- decreased heart-rate,
- shallow breathing.
In large doses -
- headaches,
- constipation,
- nausea.
See Opium for further details.
Oxycodone
Sought after effects
- euphoria,
- pain relief,
- perceptions of less physical pain,
- euphoria,
- release of muscular tension,
- mental calm or relaxation.
Undesired effects
- nausea,
- constipation,
- CNS depression,
- drowsiness,
- sweating,
- dizziness,
- vomiting,
- slowed or difficult breathing,
- confusion,
- alternating periods of sleep and consciousness.
See Oxycodone for further details.
Phencyclidine
Sought after effects
- relaxation,
- disinhibition,
- hallucinations.
Undesired effects
- decreased sensitivity to pain,
- drowsiness,
- dizziness,
- numbness,
- loss of coordination,
- confusion,
- hallucinations,
- dissociation ('out-of-the-body' feelings).
See Phencyclidine for further details.
Phenobarbital
Sought after effects
- euphoric feelings,
- reduced inhibition,
- feelings of calm/relaxation,
- increased ability to sleep.
See Phenobarbital for further details.
Psilocybin
Sought after effects
- senses become distorted,
- changes to time, space and meaning - 'trips' can be ecstatic experiences,
- at low doses, they can make you laugh like a hyena,
- they distort all your senses and merge them together - you can hear the colour red, see the sound of laughter,
- you have lots of deep and meaningful thoughts about the universe, and just feel a general brilliant insight into life,
- time tends to pass more slowly, minutes seem like hours. Everything feels like a dream,
- you feel really happy, calm, and generally tripped-out,
- at higher dosages, you can have full-blown hallucinations, similar to an LSD trip, or see things even when your eyes are closed. If you see nice things, you generally have a fab time,
Undesired effects
- distortions or 'trips' like frightening paranoid nightmares,
- can negatively affect people who have mental health problems,
- what if you pick the wrong mushroom?! The biggest danger of magic mushrooms is eating a poisonous one by mistake,
- you can get a crippling stomach ache and feel sick; some lucky users also get a bad dose of diarrhoea,
- if you have a bad trip, you could be stuck with intense feelings of sheer terror until the drug wears off,
- having a distorted view of reality can be pretty dangerous if you're trying to cross a road, or similar,
- some users get a pretty bad headache that lasts for days afterwards.
See Psilocybin for further details.
Salvia divinorum
Sought after effects
- hallucinations,
- giggling,
- reminiscence (bringing back happy memories),
- can cause powerful hallucinations where you perceive other dimensions or experience alternate realities,
- some people report a loss of physical coordination with trouble walking or standing,
- uncontrollable laughter, usually at the beginning of the trip,
- headaches can come on as salvia starts to wear off.
Undesired effects
- sometimes scary distortions to senses.
See Salvia divinorum for further details.
Synthetic cannabinoids
Sought after effects
- happy and relaxed (in moderate doses),
- synesthetic (one type of stimulation evokes the sensation of another sense) effects.
Undesired effects
- drowsiness,
- problems with coordination,
- paranoia and forgetfulness is possible but not known change whether it exists for all these chemicals,
- dose/potency concerns.
See Synthetic cannabinoids for further details.
Tobacco
Sought after effects
- satisfies cravings,
- can give a sense of stress relief,
- oral comfort,
- reduced anxiety,
- relaxation.
Undesired effects
- dizziness,
- nausea,
- increased pulse rate and blood pressure.
See Tobacco for further details.
Tramadol
Sought after effects
- relaxation,
- sleepiness,
- pain relief,
- mild euphoria,
- warmth,
- well-being.
Undesired effects
- dizziness,
- nausea,
- constipation,
- dry mouth,
- headaches,
- sleepiness,
- sweating,
- tiredness,
- vomiting.
See Tramadol for further details.