If you click this link here, you will learn about Michigan’s new law banning Four Loko (and, as I understand it, all alcoholic caffeinated malt beverages) from sale in the state. It should be noted that a probable major contributing factor here is this incident, in which nine college freshman were hospitalized after drinking Four Loko. Because, you know, college freshman never get hospitalized for any other alcoholic beverage.

Expect other municipalities, states and hopefully not the Federal Government (don’t hold your breath) to soon follow suit.

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I am inevitably going to fail, as I am admittedly extremely biased towards the responsible use of drugs. I believe that almost any drug can be used responsibly, and if everyone was thoroughly educated on them, it would be much more common that people could do so. Drug education could also have loads of other positive effects, of course, including a reduced stigma, further research, and better addiction assistance, but that’s another topic entirely.

So without further delay, let’s begin!

For our purposes, I’m going to have three categories. The first is mostly non-addictive, low risk drugs, the second is moderately addictive/some risk, and the third is high addiction potential/high risk drugs.

First you’ll see the name of the drug, with nicknames next to it in parenthesis. Next will be the medical use, if any. Then addiction. I’ve rated addiction as follows: low means that most people cannot be addicted, and if they do, withdrawals will be relatively moderate. Moderate addiction means that most people can become addicted with frequent use/abuse of the drug, and withdrawal will usually be fairly uncomfortable, lasting a few days. Extreme means that the drug is highly addictive, and can take hold of a user within one or two uses of the drug. Withdrawal from these is very difficult, and can be accompanied by fevers, nausea, diarrhea; the works. Overdose potential is just to give an idea of how careful you should be with administration of the drug. Effects are a brief description of the psychoactive effects. You can find more detailed experiences of some drugs right here on Stoner Culture.

This list is mostly based on my experiences, or experiences that I have seen, and research I have done over the years. It is in no way reflective of every user, and as with any drug I highly suggest taking your own steps to ensure safe use of them. Keep in mind your own experiences, and your own limits.

1st Category

—————-

Drug:

• Cannabis (marijuana, pot, weed, dro, shwag, etc)

Medical use:

• Low–it can be used for for minor pain relief and insomnia, but is banned in most states.

Addiction potential:

• Low-most people will have no trouble quitting, some may experience mental addiction. Any withdrawal symptoms will generally be mild and disappear within 2-3 days

Overdose potential:

• None. It is physically impossible to overdose on cannabis.

Effects:

• Can vary from an upper to a downer to a psychedelic. Read the rest of this wonderful site to learn more. Lasts an hour or so, depending on other factors.

—

Drug:

• Lysergic Acid Dithylamide (LSD, acid, blotter, etc)

Medical use:

• None. Some research has been done showing promise of some psychiatric use, but there is not enough information at this time. It is banned in all states.

Addiction potential:

• Low–most people will actually be discouraged from frequent use, and the tolerance is so steep that it becomes nearly unusable after a few consecutive days

Overdose potential:

• Extremely low/none. There have been no confirmed LSD overdoses, and in most cases it would take absurd amounts of LSD to reach the LD50. It is feasible to do so, though.

Effects:

• Psychedelic trip. Altered perceptions of reality and visual patterns/coloring are common. Usually lasts about 6 hours for the peak, but the entire experience can last anywhere from 6-15 hours.

—

Drug:

• Mescaline (peyote, san pedro, etc)

Medical use:

• None. As with other psychedelics, not enough research has been done to have any conclusive evidence.

Addiction potential:

• Low–most people will actually be discouraged from frequent use, and the tolerance is so steep that it becomes nearly unusable after a few consecutive days

Overdose potential:

• Extremely low/none.

Effects:

• Psychedelic trip. Altered perceptions of reality and visual patterns/coloring are common. The peak usually lasts anywhere from 6-10 hours, and the entire experience has been reported to last up to 3 days.

—

Drug:

• Psilocybin (magic mushrooms, shrooms, etc)

Medical use:

• None. As with other psychedelics, not enough research has been done to have any conclusive evidence.

Addiction potential:

• Low–most people will actually be discouraged from frequent use, and the tolerance is so steep that it becomes nearly unusable after a few consecutive days

Overdose potential:

• Extremely low/none.

Effects:

• Psychedelic trip. Altered perceptions of reality and visual patterns/coloring are common. Usually lasts 4 hours for the peak, but the entire experience can be anywhere from 4-10 hours.

—

Drug:

• DXM (tussin, robotrip, etc)

Medical use:

• Moderate–used as a cough medicine.

Addiction:

• Low to moderate–most users will have no addiction, but it can be addictive to some especially if used frequently. The tolerance has a long recoup time, however.

Overdose potential:

• Low. It would take a significant amount of DXM to overdose. You would need approximately 5 times the normal trip dose to overdose in most cases.

Effects:

• Dissociative with some psychedelic properties. Nausea will sometimes be present. Visuals and different perceptions of reality are common. Usually lasts about 4 hours.

—

Drug:

• Nitrous Oxide (hippy crack, laughing gas, etc)

Medical use:

• Moderate–occassionally used in dentistry to anesthetize patients.

Addiction potential:

• Low to moderate–it is fairly addictive in the short term, and with consistent use can be fairly addictive.

Overdose potential:

• None

Effects:

• Pain killer with some psychedelic properties. Usually a huge boost of well being.

—

Drug:

• Dimethyltryptahmine (DMT, spice, etc)

Medical use:

• None.

Addiction potential:

• Extremely Low–most people will actually be discouraged from frequent use, and the tolerance is so steep that it becomes nearly unusable after a few consecutive uses

Overdose potential:

• None.

Effects:

• Intense, short acting psychedelic. Visuals and different perceptions of reality are common. Usually lasts about 15-30 minutes, and the entire experience lasts up to an hour and a half.

—

Drug:

• MDMA (ecstasy, x, rolls, candy, etc)

Medical use:

• Low/none–MDMA was once prescribed by psychiatrists for a number of experimental reasons, including marriage counseling and depression. It is now banned in all states

Addiction potential:

• Low to moderate–Some people can become addicted to MDMA, and it is a relatively dangerous addiction. Brain damage is rare, but not unheard of in some situations.

Overdose potential:

• Low–The main issue with MDMA is forgetting what you’re doing and over– exerting or dehydrating yourself. However, you can overdose on extremely high amounts, and it can induce high heart rates, blood pressure, and panic attacks.

Effects:

• Intense euphoria. Tactile senses are heightened, as are most other senses. Usually lasts about 4-5 hours.

2nd Category:

——————-

Drug:

• Low intensity opiates (hydrocodone, codeine syrup, vicodin, watson, codeine, etc)

Medical use:

• Moderate–Can be used for mild to moderate pain

Addiction:

• Moderate–With frequent use most users will become physically or mentally dependent. Withdrawal will usually be fairly difficult, but in some cases can be extreme

Overdose Potential:

• Low to moderate–It would take a huge amount of hydrocodone to overdose, however most pills have acetaminophen which is toxic in high doses. Doses as high as 4 grams are generally considered safe as far as one time uses, but prolonged uses can lead to severe liver damage.

Effects:

• Pain killer, usually inflicts a feeling of warmth and well-being in the user. Usually lasts about 6 hours

—

Drug:

• Benzodiazepine (xanax, valium, bars, etc)

Medical use:

• Moderate–Can be used to treat anxiety and panic attacks. In rare cases it is prescribed for insomnia

Addiction:

• Moderate–With frequent use most users will become physically or mentally dependent. Withdrawal can range from less difficult to extreme

Overdose potential:

• Low–It is difficult to overdose on benzodiazepines alone, but combined with alcohol or opiates it can be very dangerous. Also, at high doses most people experience blackouts.

Effects:

• Removed inhibitions, usually inflicts feelings of well-being and comfort. Usually lasts about 8 hours

—

Drug:

• Ketamine (special K)

Medical Use:

• Moderate–used extensively as a general anesthetic, especially in lower income countries. Mostly used in America in veterinarian offices, though occasionally for surgery on children and rarely on adults.

Addiction:

• Low to moderate–Many users will experience addiction with extensive use of the drug, however, with some restraint most people will find it is not heavily addictive.

Overdose Potential:

• Low–It is extremely unlikely that one would overdose on this drug. It would require an exceedingly high dose, and the average person would pass out long before they succeeded. It would require a third party to dose the subject after they passed out.

Effects:

• Dissociative with sedative and psychedelic effects. Lasts approximately 1 hour, depending on method of administration.

Drug:

• Amphetamine salts, Dextroamphetamine (adderall, concerta, etc).

Medical use:

• Moderate–Can be used to treat ADD/ADHD, or to help focus.

Addiction:

• Moderate–With frequent use most users will become either physically or mentally dependent. Withdrawal is usually not extreme.

Overdose potential:

• Low to moderate: High doses of amphetamines can cause high heart rates and blood pressure, which combined with exercise can lead to heart problems in the short term.

Effects:

• Increased focus, sometimes a sense of well-being is inflicted. Usually lasts about 8 hours

—

Drug:

• Alcohol (booze, beer, liquor, etc)

Medical use:

• None.

Addiction:

• Moderate to high–With frequent use most users will become either physically or mentally dependent. Withdrawal can be extremely dangerous, and it is one of two drugs that has a potentially deadly withdrawal (the other being barbiturates).

Overdose potential:

• Moderate–it is very possible to overdose on alcohol, and relatively easy if you are an unexperienced drinker.

Effects:

• Downer, usually with sedative effects and decreased inhibitions. Usually lasts about 4 hours.

—

Drug:

• Tramadol (ultram, trammies, etc)

Medical use:

• Moderate–Mild to moderate pain killer

Addiction:

• Moderate–With frequent use most users will become either physically or mentally dependent. Withdrawal is usually not extreme.

Overdose potential:

• Moderate–The biggest risk with tramadol is taking too much and inducing a seizure. If you stay within a lower dose, you should be completely safe, but if you have a history of seizures or plan on taking a significantly higher amount than normal, I would recommend against it.

Effects:

• Pain killer, the user will usually feel a heightened sense of well–being, and will be put into an overall good mood.

3rd Category:

——————-

Drug:

• Morphine or intense opiates (heroin, oxycodone, smack, etc)

Medical use:

• Moderate–Can be used for intense pain, usually for very brief times after traumatic injury

Addiction:

• High–Addiction can be sparked with very low use, and will usually result in extreme withdrawal. Addiction will vary depending on which method of ingestion is used.

Overdose potential:

• High–It is fairly easy to overdose, especially for experienced users who take a break and whose tolerance may have dropped without their knowledge.

Effects:

• Very strong pain killer, usually inflicts intense feelings of warmth and well- being in the user. Can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on method of ingestion.

—

Drug:

• Cocaine (white, coke, crack, etc)

Medical use:

• Limited–some analogues like novocaine can be used as a localized anesthetic, but are fairly rare and usually single use

Addiction:

• High–Addiction can be sparked with very low use, and can result in extreme withdrawal. Addiction will vary depending on which method of ingestion is used.

Overdose potential:

• Moderate to high–Due to variance in quality, it is sometimes easy to overdose on product that is much stronger than expected, especially in high doses.

Effects:

• Removed inhibitions, extreme sense of well being. Usually lasts about 30 minutes to an hour.

—

Drug:

• Methamphetamine (speed, meth, etc)

Medical use:

• Limited–in very rare cases it can be prescribed for ADD under the name desoxyn.

Addiction:

• High–addiction can be sparked with very low use, and will usually result in extreme withdrawal. Addiction will vary depending on which method of ingestion is used.

Overdose potential:

• Low to moderate–as with all amphetamines, high heart rates plus a desire to achieve can lead to short term heart problems

Effects:

• Rush of energy and desire to accomplish things. Usually gives the user a sense of well-being and happiness. Can last anywhere from hours to days.

—

Drug:

• Datura Stramonium (jimson weed, angel’s trumpet, etc)

Medical use:

• None

Addiction:

• None

Overdose potential:

• Extremely high–it is nearly impossible to properly estimate a dose, as one seed can contain anywhere from no active chemical to enough to overdose on. Overdoses are extremely common.

Effects:

• Deliriant. Can last for days, the user will usually not realize that he or she is a part of reality. The vast majority of experiences are extremely unpleasant and hospitalizations are not uncommon.

I hope this list can be of use to some people, as drug information is usually sparse, incomplete, and unreliable. I plan to update this later on, and provide more information.

-Lotus

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