It’s ‘high’ time we talked about Drugs!
Ah, drugs. The word itself conjures up a kaleidoscope of images: shadowy figures in back alleys, ecstatic dancers at music festivals, bleary-eyed students cramming for exams.
Some people incorrectly use the word drug to mean only a substance that produces a pleasurable sensation. Some of the drugs that fall into this category have legitimate medical purposes, and others do not.
Boring! When we say drugs, we know what we’re talking about, don’t we?
Drugs are like that crazy cousin we all have: unpredictable, occasionally dangerous, but undeniably fascinating. They challenge our perceptions, expand our consciousness, and remind us that reality is more than meets the eye. It’s not hard to find drugs, and sometimes it may seem like everyone’s doing them — or wanting you to do them. But as with anything that seems too good to be true, there are downsides to taking drugs.
Before we get down to business, how about we set some ground rules?
This story is:
· Concerned with ‘psychoactive’ drugs or substances. More on that later.
· A fun exercise with a message that should be taken seriously
· Meant for you whether or not you’re a doper
This story is NOT:
· Giving any advice as to whether or not you should use drugs
· Meant to be comprehensive. We could talk about drugs for a whole year. And we will, in subsequent stories
· Merely dumping the data and facts on you
· Repeating the stuff you probably know already
· Going to be boring (but you know me, none of my stories are boring, right?)
POP QUIZ: what is the most common drug all over the world? Leave your answer in the comments.
The History of Getting High (and Low): A Time Traveling Adventure
From the coffee that fuels our mornings to ancient rituals involving mind-altering plants, drugs have been a constant companion to humanity throughout history. Our dance with drugs goes way back — we have evidence of ancient civilizations using cocaine plants for everything from religious ceremonies to treating ailments. Fun fact: the oldest known evidence of drug use comes from 3500 BC — yep, people were tripping before the invention of the wheel!
Fast forward to the Middle Ages, and we see the rise of medicinal concoctions, often with questionable ingredients (think bat wings and powdered unicorn horns — yikes!). Then came the scientific revolution, which brought us the isolation of active compounds from plants — hello, morphine! The 20th century saw the dawn of synthetic drugs, from the overdose monster fentanyl to the controversial LSD.
Today, the pharmaceutical industry churns out a mind-boggling array of medications, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. And on the not-so-legal side, the landscape of recreational drugs keeps evolving, with new synthetic substances appearing all the time. With cooler street names to match.
About 296 million people aged 15–64 had used psychoactive drugs in 2021. It is estimated that worldwide there are almost 14.8 million people who inject drugs, of whom 15.2% live with HIV and 38.8% with hepatitis C. Just something to chew on.
The Chemical Zoo: A Menagerie of Effects
Drugs work their magic by interacting with our bodies on a molecular level. They mimic or block natural chemicals like neurotransmitters, those little messengers that zip around our brains, influencing everything from mood to movement. Here’s a glimpse into the vibrant zoo of drug effects:
•The Psychedelic Posse: LSD, psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms), and DMT take us on a wild journey through the landscapes of the mind, altering perception and sparking profound experiences. Think Alice falling down the rabbit hole, but with a scientific explanation!
•The Chill Crew: Cannabis, our favourite relaxation remedy, binds to receptors in the brain involved in pleasure, memory, and coordination, leading to a state of mellow euphoria (and maybe the munchies).
•The Upbeat Bunch: Stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines ramp up the activity of our nervous system, making us feel alert, energetic, and sometimes a little jittery. Imagine a squirrel hopped up on espresso beans!
The Downer Dudes: Opioids like heroin and prescription painkillers interact with receptors that regulate pain perception, leading to pain relief and a sense of euphoria. However, they can also be highly addictive and dangerous.
What happens to the brain when a person takes drugs?
When taken (usually by swallowing, inhaling, or injecting), abused drugs find their way into the bloodstream. From there, they move to the brain and other parts of the body. In the brain, drugs may intensify or dull the senses, change how alert or sleepy people feel, and sometimes decrease physical pain, hence the oft-forgotten qualifier, ‘psychoactive’.
It all boils down to chemistry. Most drugs affect the brain’s “reward circuit,” causing euphoria as well as flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine.
Have you met dopamine? No? We’ll do an introduction later. Trust me, he’s a fun guy!
A properly functioning reward system motivates a person to repeat behaviors needed to thrive, such as eating and spending time with loved ones. Surges of dopamine reinforce pleasurable but potentially unhealthy behaviors like taking drugs, leading people to repeat the behavior again and again.
As a person continues to use drugs, the brain adapts by reducing the ability of cells in the reward circuit to respond to it. This reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug — an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug to try and achieve the same high.
It’s important to remember that drug effects are highly individual. They depend on factors like your age, weight, metabolism, and even your mood. This is why that second helping of your friend’s “special brownies” might not be the best idea (trust me).
Long-term use of drugs may lead to changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well, affecting functions that include:
- learning
- judgment
- decision-making
- stress
- memory
- behavior
Because of the way these drugs work on the brain, they affect the ability to make healthy choices and decisions. Even drinking makes people more likely to get involved in dangerous situations, like driving like maniacs or having unprotected sex.
Imagine becoming less and less able to derive pleasure from other things you once enjoyed, like food, sex, or social activities.
Despite suffering (or being at risk of suffering) these harmful outcomes, many people who use drugs continue to take them. And then, we say that they’re addicted!
Why do some people become addicted to drugs while others don’t?
Forget crystal balls, there’s no magic formula to predict who gets hooked on drugs. It’s more like a recipe with a mix of ingredients. The more “risk factors” someone has, the higher the chance drugs could turn into a real problem.
For example:
- Biology. The genes that people are born with account for about half of a person’s risk for addiction. Gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders may also influence risk for drug use and addiction.
- Environment. A person’s environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to economic status and general quality of life. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress, and parental guidance can greatly affect a person’s likelihood of drug use and addiction.
- Development. Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person’s life to affect addiction risk. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to addiction. This is particularly problematic for teens. Because areas in their brains that control decision-making, judgment, and self-control are still developing, teens may be especially prone to risky behaviors, including trying drugs.
Just so we’re clear, addiction (or dependence) is not the only harm you can suffer by doing drugs. For a full-on laundry list, go here. But just to keep it short, you’re at risk of:
· Injury and accidents
· Health problems
· Sleep issues
· Increased risk of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis
· Financial problems
· Relationship issues
· Legal consequences
About 39.5 million people are estimated to be affected by drug use disorders, says the WHO. It is estimated that about 0.6 million deaths annually are attributable to drug use. That is, 68 people every hour!
The Societal Stew: Drugs and the Law, Culture, and Everything In-Between
Drugs have always been intertwined with society. They’ve been used in religious ceremonies, fueled wars, and sparked countless moral panics. The legal status of drugs is a complex and often controversial issue. Some drugs, like caffeine and nicotine, are readily available despite their potential downsides. Others, like marijuana and cocaine, are classified as illegal in many parts of the world. This classification often hinges on factors like potential for addiction, perceived medical benefits, and historical and cultural influences. It really is an enormous beast, often shaped not by scientific understanding but by a mix of cultural beliefs and political agendas.
Marijuana or Cannabis is a prime example. While demonized for decades, it’s now seeing increasing legalization (in up to 25 countries) due to its potential medical benefits. However, the debate rages on. Scientifically, the evidence is clear that cannabis and its many compounds show potential in alleviating or even treating a wide range of health conditions, especially epilepsy, inflammatory conditions, and nausea, and could even serve as an adjunct in opioid treatment. Yet for many of these ailments, cannabis research is just beginning, and there are other evidence-backed treatment options. Moreover, cannabis can interfere with other medications and it’s just not for everyone.
Drugs aren’t just about getting high. They have the potential to heal too. Modern medicine utilizes a vast array of drugs to treat everything from cancer to depression. Research into psychedelics is showing promise in treating anxiety and depression, offering hope for those who haven’t found relief with traditional methods. Already we’re seeing the use of psilocybin and ketamine to treat mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
On the recreational side, the focus is shifting towards harm reduction, with an emphasis on safe use and education. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll see coffee shops serving responsibly sourced and tested psychedelics alongside your latte.
World Drug Day
The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day, is marked on 26 June every year.
This year’s theme: “The evidence is clear: invest in prevention”
It’s a reminder to team up and fight for a world where drugs are dealt with using facts, not fear. This year’s theme is all about ditching the outdated “just say no” approach and embracing science, research, and further understanding — social, economic, and health-wise — to tackle the complex issue of drugs. Basically, it’s about treating people with respect and getting real about the situation. All we want is a future where everyone gets the support they need, not just the judgment.
This year’s World Drug Day is a call to:
- Raise awareness
- Advocate for investment
- Empower communities
- Facilitate dialogue and collaboration
- Promote evidence-based policymaking
- Engage communities
- Empower youth
- Promote international cooperation
The Bottom Line
But hey, let’s not get too serious. Drugs can also be downright hilarious. Ever seen someone on laughing gas? It’s like watching a comedy show in real-time. And don’t even get me started on the antics of drunk people at parties. There’s a reason they say truth is stranger than fiction.
Drugs aren’t just about getting high or escaping reality (although, let’s be real, sometimes a little escape is just what the doctor ordered). Drugs are a fascinating and complex part of our world. They can also be powerful tools for healing and exploration. They can heal, harm, and everything in between.
P.S. If you liked this story, hit that clap button and save to enjoy later with a cup of tea by your side! And remember, comments are like the sprinkles on the cupcake of life — sweeten this post with your thoughts below!
P.P.S. About that pop quiz, the answer is alcohol. You didn’t forget that your good ol’ moonshine is a drug too, did you?
