Illegal drugs can have serious effects on both mental and physical health. Understanding the dangers associated with these substances is key to making informed decisions. Below, we break down the most commonly used illegal drugs, their immediate effects, and their potential health risks.

Cannabinoids: Marijuana and Hashish

Acute Effects:

Euphoria and relaxation
Slowed reaction times and distorted sensory perception
Impaired balance and coordination
Increased heart rate and appetite
Anxiety and panic attacks
Psychosis in some cases

Health Risks:

Chronic cough and frequent respiratory infections
Potential mental health decline, especially in heavy users
Addiction, particularly with regular use

Opioids: Heroin and Opium

Acute Effects:

Intense euphoria and drowsiness
Impaired coordination and dizziness
Nausea, confusion, and sedation
A feeling of heaviness in the body
Slowed or arrested breathing, which can be fatal

Health Risks:

Constipation, endocarditis (heart infection), and hepatitis
Risk of contracting HIV from needle-sharing
Addiction and fatal overdose, especially with heroin

Club Drugs: MDMA, Flunitrazepam, and GHB

MDMA (Ecstasy)

Acute Effects:

Mild hallucinogenic effects
Increased tactile sensitivity and empathic feelings
Lowered inhibitions, anxiety, chills, sweating
Teeth clenching and muscle cramping

Health Risks:

Sleep disturbances and depression
Impaired memory and hyperthermia (dangerously high body temperature)
Potential addiction

Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol)

Acute Effects:

Sedation and muscle relaxation
Confusion, memory loss, dizziness
Impaired coordination

Health Risks:

Addiction, especially with frequent use

GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate)

Acute Effects:

Drowsiness and nausea
Headache and disorientation
Loss of coordination and memory loss

Health Risks:

Unconsciousness, seizures, and coma

Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamine, and Methamphetamine

Acute Effects:

Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
Feelings of exhilaration, mental alertness, and increased energy
Tremors, reduced appetite, irritability, anxiety, panic, and paranoia
Violent behaviour and psychosis in some cases

Health Risks:

Weight loss, insomnia, and cardiovascular complications like stroke
Seizures, addiction, and long-term damage to the brain
Cocaine: Nasal damage from snorting
Methamphetamine: Severe dental problems ("meth mouth")

Dissociative Drugs: Ketamine, PCP, Salvia Divinorum, and DXM

Acute Effects:

Feelings of being separate from one's body or surroundings (dissociation)
Impaired motor function and analgesia (pain relief) with ketamine
Analgesia, psychosis, and aggression with PCP
Euphoria, slurred speech, confusion, and hallucinations with DXM

Health Risks:

Memory loss, nausea, tremors, and anxiety
Respiratory depression (slowed breathing) and potential death from overdose with ketamine

Hallucinogens: LSD, Mescaline, and Psilocybin

Acute Effects:

Altered perception and hallucinations
Increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure
Loss of appetite, sweating, dizziness, and tremors
Impulsive behaviour and rapid shifts in emotion

Health Risks:

Flashbacks (sudden reliving of the experience) and Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) after using LSD
Paranoia and panic attacks, especially with psilocybin mushrooms

Other Compounds: Anabolic Steroids and Inhalants

Anabolic Steroids

Acute Effects:

No intoxicating effects, but can cause changes in mood and aggression
High blood pressure, liver cysts, acne, and cholesterol changes
In men, reduced sperm production, prostate cancer, and shrunken testicles
In women, menstrual irregularities and development of masculine features (like facial hair)

Health Risks:

Increased risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and strokes
Liver damage, aggression, and premature growth cessation in adolescents

Inhalants

Acute Effects:

Stimulation, loss of inhibition, nausea, slurred speech, and wheezing
Loss of motor coordination, muscle weakness, and headaches

Health Risks:

Long-term use can impair memory and damage the cardiovascular and nervous systems
Sudden death from inhaling certain chemicals

Conclusion

While the immediate effects of these illegal drugs may vary, the health risks are often severe and can have lasting consequences. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance misuse, it’s important to seek help from a healthcare professional or support service to reduce harm and start the journey toward recovery.

If you need more information or support, please don’t hesitate to contact us.