Learn About The Most Common Drugs & Their Downsides And Risks
Browse our selection of infromation about some of the most common drugs and the risks and downsides that can come with them.
This information is by no means comprehensive and if you are interested in learning more please visit Talk To Frank.
MDMA
Comes in various shapes and colours with different designs and logos on MDMA powder is slightly off white Ecstasy tablets are swallowed. MDMA is also swallowed often in a gel cap or wrapped cigarette paper.
The onset is 20-70 minutes and duration is 3-5 hours but effects can last up to 24 hours
It can make users feel upbeat, energetic, affectionate and talkative. Pupils dilate and body temperature raises
Downsides & Risks
MDMA can cause come downs that can last a few days or longer.
This can include depression, anxiety, to panic attacks and paranoia.
Rarely psychosis, loss of consciousness, seizures and can be fatal.
Cannabis
Looks like dried grass or furry leaves/buds (Herbal).
Golden liquid (Liquid) or brown lump (Hash or resin) It can be smoked with tobacco, used with a pipe or bong It can also be put into food
It takes 2-10 minutes to take effect and can last 3-9 hours.
It can make you giggly, chatty, hungry, lethargic, demotivated, anxious and paranoid
Downsides & Risks
It can affect learning, memory and concentration and can cause nausea, anxiety and paranoia.
In some cases it can lead to dependency and psychosis.
Smoking with tobacco carries the same long-term risks
Cocaine
Comes in fine white powder, Crack cocaine comes in tiny yellowish rocks
It’s taken with rolled up paper or straws and snorted in lines or piles and supplied in ziplock bags
Onset is 1-3 minutes and duration is 30 minutes
It can make users energetic, talkative and confident. Pupils will dilate and appetite decreases
Downsides & Risks
It can cause insomnia and headaches.
It can make users feel anxious, impulsive, agitated and aggressive.
Using cocaine frequently can mean becoming dependent on the drug.
Ketamine
Comes in a grainy or fine crystalline powder that can be white, off white, brown or tablet form. Although it can come in liquid this is less popular as is injected. It is snorted in little piles or swallowed in gel caps or wrapped in cigarette paper known as a bomb
Effects take 5-15 minutes and last 40-60 minutes when snorted and last 90 minutes when taken orally.
Users can appear chilled, relaxed and dream like and feel calm and euphoric. For some it can distort the sensory perception of time and reality which for some can be a spiritual experience
Downsides & Risks
Can include distortions of reality and hallucinations can be confusing and disturbing.
For some the ‘k-hole’ experience is terrifying.
It can cause loss of balance and coordination and as it’s an anaesthetic it can cause injuries without knowledge.
Ketamine can be fatal if used with other drugs or alcohol.
LSD
Comes in small square tabs of paper with picture on. It can also be a liquid known as microdot. LSD is swallowed, microdots are dropped on tongue.
Effects start 30-90 minutes after taking, peaking at 2/3 hours and can last 9-14 hours. LSD gives hallucinogenic effects which can cause people to have very different experiences
Can cause euphoria, excitement, anxiety or paranoia. Can cause altered sensory experiences including visual and auditory effects. Some report a spiritual experience
Downsides & Risks
It can cause a ‘bad trip’ which can be very frightening and overwhelming.
LSD can cause mental health problems to be exacerbated.
It can also cause flashbacks and ongoing visual distortions that can be very frightening.
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