Cannabis

Routes of administration

Vaporizing

Eating edibles/ drinking beverages

Electronic consumption

How does it work?

THC is a main chemical substance that makes someone feel "high"

THC enters the bloodstream after ingestion and once it reaches the brain, the effects are felt

Concerns

Short term

Grades suffer

Impairs decision making skills

Bad. judgement

Long term

Dependencey issues

Increased delinquency

Pathway to use of other drugs

Risk of addiction

Classification

Cannabis is considered a depressant with stimulant and hallucinogenic properties, but not one over the others.

Depressant

Slows down neural messages to/ from brain

Calm nerves

Relax tensed muscles

Lower inhibitions

Sleepiness

Dizziness

Short term memory loss

Stimulant

Increased alterness

Increased heart rate

More attentive

Elevated mood

Paranoia

Hallucinogen

Distort users perception of reality

Delusions

Lost sense of personal identity

Dry mouth

Detachment from self

How is it used?

Can be used medicinally or recreationally

Cannabis is most frequently smoked

Bongs

Blunts/joints

Pipes

Dab rigs

Other makeshift devices

Fruits

Soda bottles

Cannabis can be ingested through eating edibles/drinking. beverages

Food Items

Cookies

Brownies

Cereal Bars

Taffy

Chocolate

Liquid Items

Lemonade

Syrup

Electronic consumption

Dab pens

Regulation

Cannabis is fully legal in 10 states for users 21+ years of age

Alaska

California

Colorado

Oregon

Maine

Massasschusettes

Michigan

Nevada

Vermont

Washington

Effects

Short term

Short term memory issues

Anxiety

Paranoia

Hallucinations

Loss of personal identity

Lower reaction times

Increased heart rate

Long term

Decline in IQ

Addiction

Relationship issues

Poor school/work performance

Little satisfaction with life

Less job opportunities

Antisocial behaviors

Common Forms

Oil (also known as dabs or extracts)

Has high THC levels are found in this form of cannabis. Oils from the cannabis plant are extracted to make dabs.

Flower/ bud

THC levels orange from low to high potency depending on strains

Alcohol

How does it work?

Alcohol impacts people differently based on age, sex, weight, and food consumption

After alcohol is consumed, it moves through the body and into. your bloodstream. Effects cane felt

After alcohol is in the bloodstream, it passes the blood brain barrier which inhibits brain functioning

Finally, the liver breaks down the alcohol and it is prepared to go through our system

Routes of administration

Ingestion through drinking

Regulations

Must be 21 to purchase

Effects

Short term

Slurred speech

Drowsiness

Vomiting

Upset stomach

Headaches

Decreased heart rate

Increased aggression

Unconsciousness

Impaired judgement

Long term

Addiction

Unintentional injuries

car crash

Alcohol poisoning

Liver disease

High blood pressure

Ulcers

Brain damage (permanent)

How is it used?

Clean with it

Ethanol +methanol to clean paint brushes

Burn it

Ethanol can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels

Ethanol used to dissolve things

Perfume

Cosmetics

Vegetable essences

Vanilla extract

Wear it

Alcohol used in perfumes

Drink it

Relaxation

Socializing

Classification

Depressant

Loss of Inhibitions

Loss of coordination

Relaxation

Decreased heart rate

Slower respiration

Common forms-by percentage

Beer (2-6% alcohol)

Ale

Stout

Lager

Pale ale

Porter

Wine (8-15% alcohol)

Red wine

12-15% alcohol

Pinot noirs

Malbec

Red bordeauxs

White wine

5-14.5 % alcohol

Moscato

Pinot Grigio

Chardonnay

Hard liquor

Whiskey (35-40% alcohol)

Vodka (40% alcohol)

Gin (37-47% alcohol)

Rum (35-45% alcohol)

Tequila (40% alcohol)

concerns

Long term

Addiction

Dependence

Increased delinquency

DUII

Mixing with drugs

Harmful for brain development

Short term

Frequent intoxication

Substance Abuse

Caffeine

Regulation

Not regulated

In fact, caffeine is on of the most common "addictive drugs"

Caffeine must be listed as an ingredient, but amount is not required

Federal regulations state that products containing caffeine must contain no more than .02% of the actual product

drugs containing caffeine must show they're safe and logical for human consumption

If the FDA approves, the amount of caffeine in the drug must be listed

Alcohol containing caffeine has been banned

Uses/Effects

Restore mental alterness

Weight Loss

Mental alterness

Asthma

Athletic Performance

Low blood pressure after eating

Breathing problems

Classification

Stimulant

Feeling awake/energized

Anxiety

Dizziness

Higher body temperature

Dehydration

Allert

How it works

Increases dopamine levels

Makes us "feel good"

Caffeine enters the brain and binds to adosine receptions responsible for telling us we're tired

Caffeine blocks the receptions from being able to communicate with the body, making us feel energized and not tired(until the caffeine wares off)

Helps us to feel alert

Increases calcium count within cells

increases the amount of calcium within cells

Effects

Long term

excessive caffeine intake causes

Tremors

Fast heart rate

Nervousness

Frequent urination

Increase blood pressure

Short term

Muscle contractions

Increased heart rate

Slower blood flow in the stomach area

Blood vessels constricting

Patterns of use

Some Religions don't condone the consumption of caffeine

Up to 400mg of caffeine/day is safe for adults

Which equates to roughly 4 cups of coffee

Concerns

Short term

Caffeine isn't the worst drug, and doesn't have horrible side effects

Caffeine overdoses

Feeling of intoxication (through excessive amounts o caffeine)

Symptoms

Nervousness

Irritability

Insomnia

Long term

Not many harmful long term effects oi caffeine

Different effects on different ages, genders, etc.

Pregnant women(<200mg caffeine)

Youth (<100mg caffeine)

Can lead to dependency issues

However, NOT considered to be an addiction

The more caffeine your body is used to, the more that is needed to produce the same effect (tolerance building)

Sources/Common Forms

Plants

Cocoa brans

Kola nuts

Tea leaves

Coffee beans

Yerba Maté

Guarana berries

Drinks

Soda

Matcha green tea

Energy Drinks

Dark Chocolate

Medications

Dietary supplements

Can be drank, eaten or swallowed in the form of medication/dietary supplements

Tobacco

Classification

Stimulant

Increased alertness

Relaxed

Increased heart rate and blood pressure

Routes of administration

ORAL

Smoke

Sniff

Chew

Food(less common)

Common forms

Cigarettes

Most common

Cigars

Sometimes flavored-geared towards kids

Electronic Cigarettes

Vape pens

Hookah pens

Dissolvables

Strips

Sticks

Lozenges

Smokeless tobacco

Chew/dip

Cured tobacco-loose leaf/plug/twist

Moist snuff

Finely cut tobacco

Powdered tobacco

Usually place product between cheek and gums

How it's used

Tobacco isn't a medical or recreationsal drugs, however there are regulations regarding who is able to buy this drug

This varies state by state

How it works

Nicotine from the tobacco is absorbed into bloodstream

Adrenal glands are stimulated and epinephrin is released throughout the body

Responsible for increasing breathing, heart rat

Increases in dopamine

Rewarding behaviors

Effects

Long term

Gum disease

Tooth decay

Cancer

Asthma

Bronchitis

e

Short term

Calm-followed by depression

Increased alertness/concentrration

Mild euphoria

Increased blood pressure and heart rate

Feeling relaxed

Concerns

Short term

Damage to respiratory system

(temporary) bronchitis

Bad breath

Gross smelly hair/clothes

Yellowing teeth

"Nicsick"- overdose of tobacco

Damage to mouth

Long term

Cancer

COPD

Chronic bronchitis

Emphyzema

Tolerance

Addiction

psychological dependence on the drug

Regulation

Used to be able to purchase at age 18, but the legal age has since been raised to 21 (11/50 states)

The following states have imposed the "21+ to buy tobacco" law

Arkansas

California

Hawaii

Illinois

Maine

Massasschusettes

New Jersey

Oregon

Utah

Virginia

Washington

Must have a state issued ID and be 21+ years old to purchase (in Oregon-other states may have a required age of 18 to purchase)

Laws vary state to state

HOWEVER: Military ages 18+ are allowed to purchase tobacco(and alcohol)

Regulated by FDA (started in 2009)

Subtopic

Meth

Regulation

Recreational use of meth is illegal

The FDA regulates meth that is used in medications to aid in treating ADHD, narcolepsy and severe obesity

Dispensed under the name "desoxyn" and manufactured by Ovation Pharmaceaticals

How it works

Can be smoked, snorted, swallowed or injected

When meth enters the bloodstream and heads toward the brain

When meth reaches the brain, dopamine levels increase beyond what is typical

Due to the way our brain processes this feeling, a reward system is implemented and makes the user want more and more of the drug

Routes of administration

Snorted

Drug is in powder form

Can lead to sinus cavity damage

Chronic runny nose is an effect

Smoked

Most common form of abused meth

Can give you "meth mouth"-teeth corrosion

Swallowed (pills)

Was originally used for medical purposes, but can still be found in pill form and abused

Injected

Powdered drug is injected

Especially dangerous due to risk of HIV and other similar diseases

Classification

Stimulant

Upset stomach

Nausea

Weight loss

Trouble sleeping

Increased heart rate

Paranoia

Effects

Short term

Loss of appetite

Increased heart rate

Disturbed sleep patterns

nausea

panic/psychosis

Long term

Disorientation/confusion

Depression

Damage to brain-alzheimers

Psychological dependence

Addiction

Common Forms

Desoxyn

ADHD

Obesity

Narcolespy

Powder

White/off-white

Also known as speed

least potent form of meth

Can be formed into pills

snorted/injected/swallowed

"Base"

White/yellow/brown in color

Oily/damp feel

Higher potency and purity than powder

Usually injected but can also be swallowed

Also known as "pure", "paste", "wax"

Crystal meth

Also known as "Ice"

Subtopic

Transluecent-white in color

Most potent form of meth

Typically smoked or injected

Concerns

Short term

Extreme weight loss

Intense itching

Anxiety

Confusion

Violent behavior

Paranoia

Long term

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis C

HIV/AIDS

"Meth mouth"

Organ failure

Addiction

How is it used?

Meth is typically used just to get high, although that's not always the case

Some ADHD medications contain methamphetamine

This is legal to use as long as it is used within the prescribed guidelines by the intended user

Spray paint(Inhalant)

Routes of administration

Orally-through the mouth

Sniffing/snorting

Spraying directly into mouth

Inhaled through a paper or plastic bag

Huffing

soaking a rag and placing into mouth to be absorbed

Concerns

Long term

Brain atrophy-specifically near the Cerebellum

Larger brain ventricles

White matter abnormalities

Loss of muscular strength

Impaired vision and hearing

Impaired cognition

Short term

Lack of coordination

Irregular/rapid heartbeat

Dizziness

Apathy

Rashes

Common Forms

4 types of inhalants

Volatile solvents

Liquids that vaporize at room temperature

Paint thinners

Gasoline

Glue

Felt tip markers

Arersols

Spray paint

Deodorant

Hair spray

Gases

Chlorophorm

Nitrous oxide

Propane tanks

Nitrites

Typically used for sexual enhancement

Isoamyl nitrite

Isobutyl nitrite

Subtopic

Regulation

Inhalants are not regulated under the controlled substances act, but some states have regulations restricting minors from purchasing products often used as inhalants

Some states have imposed jail sanctions, fines, and treatment programs for those in possession of and responsible for distributing inhalants

Classification

Inhalant

Depending on usage, you may feel stimulant effects followed by effects associated with the depressant-alcohol

Effects

Short term

Drowsiness

disinhibition

Lightheadedness

Agitation

Slurred speech

Impaired coordination

Long term

Major headaches

Very drowsy

Extremely confused

Hallucinations

Comatose

Weight loss

How it's used

Inhalants are typically household or industrial products used for services without intentions of them being inhaled

Due to the chemicals in these products, when inhaled they often give the user psychoactive and mind altering effects

How it works

Inhaled chemicals are ingested and immediately begin to disperse throughout the body bloodstream

From there, the chemicals spread further towrds the brain and into organs

The user feels the effects of intoxication (resemble alcohol)

Intoxication is a short phase which causes users to inhale mass amounts which can be lethal

Imporrtant to note that death can occur due to mass inhalation

Asphyxiation

From rerrpeated inhaling causing lack of oxygen in the lungs

Suffocation

Blocking air entering lungs using the bag over the head method

Convulsions/seizures

Due to abnormal electrical discharges through the brain

Coma

Fom the body shutting down most of but not all of the vital functions

Choking

Inhaling vomit after using an inhalant

Fatal injury

Accidents/DUII crashes

Opioids

Routes of administration

Subcutaneous

Drug absorbed under the skin

Oral

Sometimes requires more of the drug for the same effect

Through nose or mouth

Intramuscular

Drug absorbed in a muscle

Rectal insertion

Concerns

Short term

Death

Impaired mental functioning

Depressed respiration

Slower breathing

Weight loss

Long term

Death

By overdose

Suicide

Hyperalgesia

Sensitive to pain

Possible infertility

Osteoporosis

Suppressed immune system

Addiction

Dependence

Depression

Classification

Opioids are their own classification of drug

Strong agonist

Morphone

Methadone

Fentanyl

Mild-moderate agonist

Codeine

Oxycodone

Hydropcodone

Opioids with mixed receptor actions

Buprenophene

Butorphanol

Schedule II Drug

Prescription

Hydrocodone

Oxcodone

Morphine

Codeine

Fentanyl

High potential for abuse and can lead to physical/psychological dependence

Schedule I drug

Recreational

High potential for abuse and no medical benefits

How it works

Opioids attach onto receptors in the central nervous system

Brain

Spinal cord

Peripheral tissues

Enzymes in the body convert opioids to morphine

Helps to relieve pain

Increases dopamine levels

Euphoria

Feeling of excitement

Effects

Short term

Constipation

Nausea

Vomiting

Subtopic

Diizziness

Lethargy

Long term

Addiction

Irregular heart beat

Depression

Pneumonia

Muscle pain

Hormonal issues

Impaired cognition

Regulations

DEA enacted a new regulation requiring that opioid production will be cut by 1/5-20%

Estimates of opioids needed for medical use is determined to analyze the amount of opioids necessary to treat people without overproducing the drug

How it's used

Clinically

For diarrhea

Cough

Anesthesia

Pain alleviation

Common forms

Many prescription/pain relieving medications containing opioids

Oxycodone

Morphine

Fentanyl

Codeine

Methadone

Hydromorphone

Natural opiates-alkaloids

Chemical compounds are derived from a plant-opium poppy is an example

Natural opiates include:

Thebaine

Morphine

Codeine

Semi synthetic

Created in labs from natural opiates

Semi synthetic opiates include

Hydrocodone

Oxycodone

Heroin-derived from morphine

Hydromorphone

Fully synthetic

Completely made by man

Fully synthetic opiates include:

Pethidine

Levorphanol

Fentanyl

Methadone

Tramadol

Dextropropoxyphene

Psychedelics

Common forms

Powdered or liquid

LSD

Also known as "acid"

Mushrooms

Contains psilocybin

Pills

Ecstacy

Ingestible papers

Usually in the form of acid

Concerns

Short term

Impaired judgement

Increased blood pressure/heart rate

Higher body temperature

Weakness

Tremors

Long term

Vascular problems

Headaches

Visual problem

Sometimes blindness

Constant hallucinations

Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder(HPPD)

Specifically associated with use of LSD

How it's used

Recreationally-used illegally

Clinically-1950-1970

Depression

Anxiety

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Subtopic

Currently being examined for medical benefits

How it works

Once ingested, psychedelics enhance sensory perception, thought processes, energy levels, thought processes

They do this by altering the chemicals in the brain through stimulating or suppressing neurotransmitters that are of the same chemical composition

Pain perception, responses to environment, emotion, learning and memory are impaired due to chemical imbalances in the brain

Hallucinations begin to occur

Classification

Subclass of hallucinogens

Mimic psychosis

Indoles and catechols

Effects

Short term

Closeness to others

Trust

Suggestibility

Enhanced emotion/empathy

Distorted sense of time/space

Long term

Flashbacks

Visual distortions

Anxiety

Nightmares

Paranoia

Seizure disorder

Headaches

Regulation

LSD and Psilocybin (forms of psychedelics) are considered schedule I drugs

High potential for abuse

Federally illegal

Denver, CO is the first city to support the decriminalization of psychedelics

Routes of administration

Snorted

Powdered form

Liquid on a small square paper or on a microdot tablet

Also known as a "Blotter paper"

Swallowed or dissolved on the tonugue

Usually how LSD is ingested

Eating

Usually how mushrooms-"shrooms" are ingested