Types of Drugs

Types of Drugs:

Drugs under international control include amphetamine-type stimulants, coca/cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates and sedative hypnotics. Most psychoactive drugs fall into the categories of stimulants, depressants, opiates and hallucinogens. All these types of drugs are addictive, induce dependence and have different effects on the human brain and body.

Countries have decided to control these drugs because they pose a threat to health.

While some of the physical effects of drugs might sound nice, they do not last long. Many people get depressed and lonely afterwards and start feeling sick. Also, it is common for people who use drugs to seem confused, have red eyes, sweat a lot and not care about their physical appearance.

To learn more about each type of drug and how they could affect your health, please read the following information:

Stimulants

Stimulants act on the central nervous system and are associated with feelings of extreme well-being, increased mental and motor activity. Examples include cocaine, crack cocaine, amphetamines (speed) and ecstasy (which is also a hallucinogen).

Depressants

Depressants are chemicals that slow down the central nervous system and suppress brain activity causing relief from anxiety. The most common depressants are alcohol and cannabis. Others include barbiturates and benzodiazepines (e.g. valium, temazepam).

Opiates

Opiate drugs provide pain relief, euphoria, sedation and in increasing doses induce coma. Examples include heroin, morphine, opium, methadone, dipipanone and pethidine.

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens cause changes in a person's perception of reality. These include cannabis, LSD, ecstasy and psilocybin (magic mushrooms).