Here are some of the most common drugs, their effects and risks on the body: 

1) Cannabinoids 

They are part of the family of hallucinogens and include all the psychoactive substances that are obtained from the female inflorescences of the plant. Cannabis derivatives are the most widely used and used illegal drugs.

The active ingredient in marijuana, THC , binds to specific neurons called cannabinoid receptors, which regulate movement, motor coordination, memory and other complex cognitive functions.

The main effects of these substances are moderate euphoria and a sense of “peace”, time seems to pass more slowly and, at times, all of this is accompanied by hunger and thirst . After the euphoria phase , anxiety, fear, distrust of others and panic can manifest . 

The side effects of this drug can consist of drowsiness, changes in space-time perception (driving under the effects of cannabis is very dangerous), agitation, irritation, conjunctivitis, mydriasis (dilated pupils). Cardiovascular effects such as tachycardia and changes in blood pressure are also documented.

Once absorbed, THC, a psychotropic substance present in cannabis, penetrates the parts of the brain responsible for the spatial-temporal orientation capacity and those responsible for motor functions. Effects on cognitive and mnemonic processes are also observed ( “I don’t remember” ).

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2) Alcohol

The alcohol commonly found in alcoholic beverages is called ethanol . It is a molecule easily soluble in water and small in size capable of altering mental activity.

A percentage of ethanol is immediately absorbed by the stomach and intestines, without the need for digestion, and from there it passes directly into the blood: this is why on an empty stomach the effects of alcohol manifest themselves earlier and more intensely! However, metabolism occurs mostly in the liver, transforming it. 

The circulation of alcohol in the blood causes its substances to reach the heart, kidneys and brain, where the most evident effects are unleashed by modifying mood, behavior, thinking and movement. In small doses, alcohol acts as a sedative: it stimulates a central nervous system inhibitor and induces a feeling of well-being .

The immediate effects of alcohol intoxication can involve euphoria, increased sociability, decreased anxiety, memory problems and motor control problems .

There may also be short-term or long-term effects. The former include a general “hangover” state, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, burning and headache. The second, however, much more problematic, include addiction and abstinence.

The prolonged use of alcohol can lead to brain damage , such as the so-called alcohol dementia : mood swings, loss of memory and normal cognitive abilities, and liver damage, the second organ most affected by alcohol abuse; in severe cases, cirrhosis occurs : the liver cells, damaged, atrophy and the body is no longer able to replace them.

3) Amphetamines – Methamphetamines (Ecstasy / MDMA)

Amphetamines belong to the category of stimulants, while methamphetamines (ecstasy / MDMA) are in the middle between stimulant and hallucinogenic compounds . Both work by increasing the presence of serotonin.

The increase in serotonin causes various psychological effects: strong feeling of well-being; increased disinhibition with others; removal of emotional and communication barriers; exaltation of sensations; greater ability to perceive rhythm and music .

The exciting effect of amphetamines includes effects such as: hyperactivity, reduced sense of fatigue, logorrhea, reduced appetite, aggression, impulsivity, up to real psychosis with manic crises, delusions and hallucinations, increased activity of the cardiovascular system with risk of arrhythmias, heart attacks and cerebral hemorrhages . 

The effects of amphetamines generally last several hours and often depend on the set (personality and expectations of the consumer) and the setting (situation and environment in which they are consumed).

Methamphetamines also have an excitatory effect but in them the effect of ease in interpersonal relationships, disinhibition, reduction of judgment capacity with respect to lived situations and with respect to one’s acts prevail. The use of high doses of amphetamines, especially if continued, is generally followed by a period of “psychophysical breakdown” : when the effect ends, the previously soothed sensations are amplified and one feels drained, exhausted, irritable, depressed.

Dependence on these substances is exclusively psychological . One of the most serious dangers of this class of substances is the high neurotoxicity . In -depth studies have shown the irreversible degeneration of serotonin-producing neurons which, in practice, “burn”. In cases where degenerated cells grow back, it has been noted that this growth gives rise to “mutated” and inactive neurons.

Recent studies have observed how, in the long term, the use of ecstasy can lead not only to neuropsychiatric pathologies linked to the decrease of serotonin, but also to those related to dopamine deficiency such as, for example, Parkinson’s disease.

Episodes, often fatal, related to paranoid psychosis, cardiovascular collapse, cerebral haemorrhage and heart attack have also been repeatedly reported. Among long-term users, the development of liver damage and hyperthermia was noted.

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4) Cocaine 

Cocaine is part of the family of hallucinogens and, by stimulating the Central Nervous System, gives the consumer a feeling of euphoria and excitement (the up of the substance), followed by a high capacity for concentration, energy and safety.

The psychological effects of the drug on the central nervous system have been summarized in four stages of varying severity depending on the dose and frequency of use.

• Euphoria , characterized by affective lability, increased cognitive and motor performance, hypervigilance, anorexia and insomnia;
• Dysphoria , characterized by sadness, melancholy, apathy, difficulty in attention and concentration, anorexia and insomnia;
• Paranoia , characterized by suspiciousness, paranoia, hallucinations and insomnia;
• Psychosis , characterized by anhedonia, hallucinations, stereotyped behavior, paranoid ideation, insomnia, loss of impulse control, disorientation.

Dilation of the pupils and red eyes are among the most visible effects of cocaine on a physical level. As for the medical complications there can be heart attacks caused by vasoconstriction and spasms while hypertensive crises can lead to cerebral hemorrhages. Pulmonary hypertension and edema can be observed . A syndrome called ” crack lung ” has also been described .

Finally, cocaine is also an epileptogenic agent . The ability to cause generalized convulsions increases with repeated administration. Cocaine does not cause high physical dependence, but it can lead to a psychological dependence that manifests itself with the constant desire to take the substance.

Crack was originally conceived and synthesized as a substitute for cocaine because nasal intake causes the destruction of nasal tissues, so the only alternative method of intake was represented by inhalation. Continued and prolonged consumption can cause psychosis, paranoid states accompanied by delusions and hallucinations, aggression and alienation. 

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5) Heroin and Opiates

Opiates belong to the category of narcotics . The best known drugs made from opium are heroin and morphine and can be taken intravenously, by inhalation or smoked. Due to their strong analgesic properties, opioids are often used in medicine for the treatment of acute and chronic pain.

Their main physiological effects include: overall reduction in the frequency of breathing , psycho-motor slowdown , reduction of digestive processes and urination , nausea and vomiting , loss of appetite , skin rash and urticaria , in women decreased ovulation and lack of Menses. Chronic use of intravenous heroin causes collapse of the veins, bacterial infections in the blood vessels and valves of the heart, abscesses, liver and kidney disease.

Opioids also act on the central nervous system by reducing the perception of pain , attenuating anxiety and emotional responses: the inhibitory action on emotions causes the effect of indifference and perceptive detachment and affective disinterest that follows the moment of intense pleasure (flash) caused by the intake of the substance. This is followed by a state of contentment, a slowing down of thought, gestures and behaviors up to sleepiness. 

For some people the calming effect, the feeling of isolation and peace in a hushed world – where worries, tensions, fears disappear, thoughts become light and free, desires cancel out and everything is as it should be – are extremely attractive.

The use of opiates quickly leads to the mechanism of tolerance , i.e. the body gets used to the presence of these substances and the physiological and psychological effects given by the substance decrease with the same dose . The individual is therefore forced to take higher and higher doses of the drug to obtain the desired effects and to avoid the onset of the withdrawal syndrome.

Tolerance therefore leads to physical and psychological dependence ; instead of taking heroin to feel good or better, one is forced to take it in order not to feel bad.

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6) LSD

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide is one of the semi-synthetic hallucinogenic substances . The most popular natural hallucinogens are mescaline , psilocybin and psilocin . LSD acts on both the central and peripheral nervous systems by inducing acoustic and visual hallucinations and, in general, perceptual distortions and awareness of time, space and self. The effects of this acid vary enormously both on the basis of the dose and the location and psychological state at the time of intake.

Emotional reactions can vary greatly on an individual basis. They range from those who claim to become more “conscious” of themselves, to those who describe the “journey” as a mystical or religious experience. Sensations of bodily separation are also very common, although you can have deep feelings of inner harmony and harmony with the universe, amplified emotions (however not altered), intensified perception of sounds, colors, smells and flavors.

As with other hallucinogens, users run the risk of so-called “bad trips”; which are unpleasant or even terrifying experiences with crises of anxiety, distress, and panic . LSD can also cause panic or paranoia when taken in unfamiliar, intense or chaotic contexts.

In some subjects, taking LSD can generate “flashback” phenomena, that is the sudden reappearance of the “journey” after time from the last intake, and the inability to distinguish between perception and reality that leads to the overestimation of one’s abilities ( e.g. thinking you can fly, etc.)

While not giving physical dependence and consequent withdrawal syndrome linked to the use of this drug, many deaths are instead described as a consequence of accidents occurring under the influence of the substance.

How to get help?

There are many different types of addictions: there are “behavioral” addictions such as sex addiction, fitness addiction (which we also find as a consequence of bigorexia ), ononiomania or compulsive shopping , video game addiction or emotional addiction. But it is above all drug addiction that produces both physical and psychological effects on humans. 

Substance addictions are in many cases extremely difficult to combat . Finding the right treatment program can be a daunting task. This is why going to the psychologist is important for receiving a series of psycho-physical disorders that could lead to very serious consequences. 

Fortunately, today it is also possible to take advantage of the advice of an online psychologist to start the path towards detoxification. The intervention of a professional , in fact, can favor and facilitate the detoxification process, do not wait too long to contact a specialist!

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