Obscure Drugs Part 2

Obscure Drugs Part 2

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In the first installment of this series, we discussed several drugs which most people have never heard of. These included San Pedro a hallucinogenic, mescaline-containing cactus, Soma an ancient drug with modern medicinal applications, and Rush a powerful and dangerously addictive stimulant. Although few people know about these substances, they can be every bit as dangerous and habit-forming as cocaine, crack, meth, heroin, and other commonly abused drugs. It is crucial that communities raise their awareness of these uncommon drugs in order to prevent abuse and curb their rates of addiction. Here are a few more obscure illicit drugs.

Philosophers Stones

These rare drugs are the byproducts of hallucinogenic mushrooms. Although their exact origin is unknown, their strange name may have originated from the centuries-old practice of alchemy. Before the advent of modern chemistry, alchemists sought to turn ordinary or cheap substances into precious materials. They sometimes tried to create gold or silver, but they also looked for ways to grant themselves eternal life.

Today people all over the world use philosophers stones recreationally for their powerful psychedelic effects. They are derived from the mushroom called Psilocybin Tampanensis. Though this mushroom has been found growing naturally, the specimens used for drug manufacturing are almost always clones.

Sclerotia small pods which grow underneath the mushroom cap contain the actual psilocybin, the active ingredient in philosophers stones. This is the same substance found in other hallucinogenic mushrooms. Though many countries have outlawed them, these pebble-like pods are harvested and sold throughout the world.

Because of their rarity, little research has been done on philosophers stones potential for physical harm or habit formation. However, most medical professionals believe addiction to be unlikely. As is the case with many hallucinogenic substances, users rapidly develop tolerance to these mushrooms making physical dependency a non-issue. Still, philosophers stones carry the same risks of irrational or dangerous behavior as other mind-altering drugs.

Dextromethorphan

Dextromethorphan is actually a psychoactive ingredient in many over-the-counter medications such as Robutussin. When people talk about getting high by drinking cough syrup, they are typically referring to the hallucinogenic effects of this substance. Drug users have been using dextromethorphan for decades, and many people even report complete breaks from reality following heavy consumption.

The large amounts of this drug necessary for powerful effects can be extremely dangerous. According to the United States Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration, its abuse can cause hyperactivity, sluggishness, ataxia, speech problems, excessive sweating, and heart complications. Medicines containing dextromethorphan also contain other ingredients which can be dangerous in high doses. Cough and cold medicines often contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, which can cause dangerous blood pressure increases. They also contain acetaminophen, a painkiller which can lead to liver damage in high amounts. Finally, the antihistamines common in these medications can be toxic to the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Since people can so easily obtain large amounts of dextromethorphan by purchasing cough medicines, most efforts at controlling its abuse have failed. Many people believe that the United States government will soon begin to regulate these medicines as it has already done with pseudoephedrine and other meth precursors.

Ketamine

Ketamine is a tranquilizer which was originally created for anesthetic purposes in hospitals and animal clinics. It is often used for specific applications in primates, but it is powerful enough that veterinarians and zookeepers even use it to subdue large cats such as lions, tigers, and panthers. Though veterinarians use it for legal purposes, ketamine is commonly stolen or smuggled from animal clinics for illicit consumption.

Drug users usually consume ketamine by cooking it into a chalky substance which can be crushed into a powder for insufflation. Though it is rare compared to many other drugs, it is common in the rave communities which also heavily use mescaline and ecstasy. Many users have reported effects similar to those of LSD.

There are few known cases of addiction to ketamine, but the drug is scarce and difficult to use regularly. It poses many of the same dangers as other hallucinogens, and people have even reported the same negative long-term effects from bad trips as LSD users.

Salvia Divinorum

Mayan priests have used salvia for centuries to experience spiritual visions and attain new levels of consciousness. Though this plant originally grew only in a single region of Mexico, worldwide demand for mind-altering drugs has caused it to spread to many other parts of the world.

Like most psychotropic drugs, salvia shows little habit-forming potential. However, it still carries the same risks as other mind-altering substances. Users often lose touch with reality and may engage in inappropriate and dangerous behaviors while high.

In the next installment of Obscure Drugs, we will talk about several other uncommon illicit substances. If you need help with addiction now, however, dont hesitate to call the number at the top of your screen. Our dedicated addiction specialists are standing by to help you find a treatment program and get your life back on track.

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