AKA: XTC, E, hug drug, Adam
MO: Releases catecholamines, a class of neurotransmitters, and damages serotonin-producing neurons; causes massive release of serotonin and inhibits its uptake.
Why people take it: Increased energy, increased confidence.
Other effects: Tooth grinding, sweating, anxiety, elevated blood pressure, heart arrhythmias.
FYI: May affect memory in the long-term and is often sold in impure batches that are mixed with other drugs.
AKA: Acid, blotter, John Lennon, purple haze, windowpane, northern lights.
MO: Resembles serotonin structurally and elicits its effects by binding to serotonin receptors.
Why people take it: Potent hallucinogenic, sensory distortions that can be pleasurable.
Other effects: Disturbing “trips,” anxiety, extreme mood changes, elevated blood pressure, chills, sweating, nausea.
FYI: May occasionally cause unexpected flashbacks that occur within days to over a year after taking it. Was previously used by psychiatrists to enhance psychotherapy.
AKA: Pot, weed, chronic.
MO: Blocks the body’s inhibitory neurotransmitters, thereby facilitating the release of dopamine, which creates a feeling euphoria.
Why people take it: Increased relaxation, release from inhibitions.
Other effects: Red eyes, dry mouth and throat, impaired attention and memory.
FYI: The body has endogenous cannabinoid receptors, which means we have natural chemicals in our bodies that more subtly mimic the sensation of marijuana.
AKA: Speed, ice.
MO: Mimics dopamine and is taken up into neurons. Dopamine is forced out into synapses where it continues to bind to receptors, thereby over-stimulating cells.
Why people take it: Intense surge of energy, increased alertness.
Other effects: Tachycardia (racing heart), elevated blood pressure, risk of heart attack.
FYI: Amphetamine-induced psychosis can develop with regular use.
AKA: Booze, hooch.
MO: The double whammy – increases effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA and blocks excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate from leaving the cell to act on the rest of the brain.
Why people take it: Decreased inhibitions, increased relaxation.
Other (long-term) effects: Liver toxicity, cancers, heart disease, fetal alcohol syndrome (if ingested by pregnant woman), memory loss.
FYI: One of the few widely socially-acceptable drugs, despite its many negative effects.
