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Substance Summary Smorgasbord

Alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis, oh my! By now you've heard plenty about these more common substances and how they affect your mind and body. Before we put this topic to rest, however, we wanted to touch on a handful of the drugs that may be less-frequently used on campus. This is by no means an all-encompassing guide, but rather some quick, introductory basics. If you're looking for more in-depth information, check out our online resources or seek out research of your own utilizing reliable sources.

We have included a section of “how they work” for each substance because we believe it is important for you to know what area of the brain is impacted and how this might interact with medications you may be taking. This is particularly important for mental health medication.

Hallucinogens & Psychedelics 

What are they?  
A class of mind-altering substances that are usually used recreationally to change and/or enhance sensory perceptions, thought processes, and energy levels, and/or to facilitate spiritual experiences. Many psychedelic drugs are not linked with addictive properties, but when used repeatedly, especially as a coping mechanism, can lead to psychological dependence

 

How do they work?
Most hallucinogenic/psychedelic drugs interact with serotonin systems in the brain; some of their most prominent effects occur in the prefrontal cortex—an area involved in mood, cognition, and perception. They may also act on other regions important in regulating arousal and physiological responses to stress and panic.

 

What are the effects of use?
As indicated by their name, the primary effect of drugs of this nature is hallucinations and/or altered perception of reality. They may also impact mood, appetite, sleep, bodily function, sexual behavior, muscle control, perception of pain, learning, and memory. Use in excess may lead to an overload of serotonin in the brain, resulting in seizures, comas, and in some cases, death. 

 

What are some examples?
Some psychedelics come from plants, such as DMT (found in South-American nuts/barks), psilocybin (shrooms), salvia, and mescaline (peyote). Others may be chemical or synthetic, like LSD, MDMA, ketamine, and PCP.    

Amphetamines

What are they?  
Amphetamines are highly addictive central nervous system stimulants that effectively speed up messaging between the brain and the body. They are most commonly distributed as pills that may be ingested orally or ground up to be smoked, snorted, or injected into the bloodstream. Some kinds of amphetamines (like methamphetamine) may also be used in crystal form.

 

How do they work?
Primarily, amphetamines act on the dopamine system, increasing the amount of dopamine in the system overstimulating production and inhibiting reuptake. Dopamine regulates both emotional and physical functionality, and interrupting this regulation leads to short-term experience of euphoria and sense of well-being

 

What are the effects of use?
Use of amphetamines can result in physical symptoms such as dilated pupils, increased heart/breathing rate, dry mouth, nausea/reduced appetite, and blurred vision. Behavioral effects include hostility and aggression, reduction of sleep/food intake, unrealistic or overconfident self or situational evaluations, and rapid talking or motion. Amphetamine use can also lead to psychosis, paranoia, or hallucinations, as well as addiction or dependence

 

What are some examples?
Legal amphetamines are those prescribed to treat ADHD or other disorders; these are of the class dextroamphetamine and are often referred to by their prescribed names, Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine, Focalin, Metadate, Methylin, and Ritalin. These amphetamines are legal when used by the patient to which they were prescribed but illegal when used outside of or in absence of prescribed direction. This means that personal use of amphetamines prescribed to a friend or sibling is not legal. Methamphetamine, or meth, is an illegal amphetamine that may be found in crystalline or liquid forms. 

Cocaine

What is it?
Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca plant. It produces similar effects to those of amphetamines and is highly addictive. It can be found in powder or crystal forms as well as dissolved into water to create a liquid. It may be used orally, nasally, intravenously, or through inhalation.

 

How does it work?
Like amphetamines, cocaine acts on dopamine circuits, preventing dopamine from being recycled. This causes large amounts to build up in the space between two nerve cells, stopping their normal communication. This flood of dopamine in the brain’s reward circuit strongly reinforces drug-taking behaviors, because the reward circuit eventually adapts to the excess of dopamine caused by cocaine, and becomes less sensitive to it

 

What are the effects of use?
Immediately following or shortly after use, experiences may include extreme happiness and energy, mental alertness, hypersensitivity to visual stimuli, sound, and touch, irritability, and paranoia/extreme and unreasonable distrust of others. Some longer-term effects of repeated use are constricted blood vessels, dilated pupils, nausea, raised body temperature and blood pressure, fast or irregular heartbeat, tremors or muscle twitches, and restlessness. When used excessively or in combination with alcohol or other drugs, cocaine may be fatal

Opioids

What are they? 
Opioids are a class of drug derived from the poppy plant that contain chemicals to relax the body and relieve pain. Some prescription opioids are made from the plant directly, and others are made synthetically by scientists in labs using the same chemical structure. 

 

How do they work?
Effects are produced through interaction with opioid receptors on nerve cells in the body and brain. Opioid pain relievers are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by a doctor, but because they produce euphoric effects in addition to pain relief, they can be misused. 

 

What are the effects of use?
Opioids first and foremost reduce pain, but when used without a prescription or in a manner other than prescribed, other effects may occur. These include drowsiness, confusion, nausea, constipation, euphoria, and slowed breathing. Prolonged opioid use can result in a slowed metabolism, affecting the breakdown of drugs. Sharing drug injection equipment can increase infectious diseases such as HIV. Impaired judgment associated with drug use can also increase the risk of injury, contraction of STIs, and other consequences. Regular use—even as prescribed by a doctor—can lead to dependence and, when misused, opioid pain relievers can lead to addiction, overdose, and death.

 

What are some examples?
Common prescription opioids include hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin or Percocet), oxymorphone (Opana), morphine, codeine, and fentanyl. These are legal to use (as directed) when prescribed. Heroin is an example of an illegal opioid, as are synthetic versions of prescription opioids and/or those distributed illicitly. 

Drug Use & COVID-19

Both long- and short-term drug use can lead to considerable damage to many systems in the body, especially the immune system. The immune system may be harmed directly by intoxicating substances, or the way the drug is ingested may contribute to a higher risk of infection when coupled with a lower immune response. This is especially detrimental during COVID-19, as immunocompromised individuals are more likely to suffer greater consequences from infection. Further, substances that are inhaled during use can be harmful to the respiratory system as well, increasing the risk of severe consequences resulting from contracting COVID-19.
 

The increase in stress and anxiety associated with COVID-19 may also lead more people to turn to drugs as a coping mechanism or a way to "escape" from the world as it is. This can increase the likelihood of addiction and dependence. Though not every drug may have inherent addictive properties, the use of drugs as a distraction or coping strategy increases the likelihood of becoming psychologically or emotionally dependent on these substances. 

Self-Care Tip

Drug use is an individual decision. Addiction, however, may take this choice away. If you are worried about your own drug use or that of a friend, please seek out professional assistance. Make an appointment at the Hamre Center to talk with a counselor about options, or take a look at our resources for drug screening and local support. Macalester is first and foremost a community. We are here for you. 

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