Not all hazardous substances are subject to prohibition, and not all prohibited substances are necessarily more dangerous than permitted substances.
For these reasons, the debate around drug prohibition and the benefits of its legalization is intensely conducted by legislators in many countries.
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In this controversy, the cultural component exerts a significant influence.
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In order to provide informed information, Deutsche Welle (DW), a German media company, carried out a comprehensive study on the most known drugs, analyzing their potential for addiction, the risks they present and their acceptance or rejection in society.
Amphetamine and methamphetamine
Until the 1970s, amphetamine was used in medicine as an antidepressant drug, appetite suppressant and in the treatment of asthma.
The drug was also used as a stimulant by soldiers and is currently popular in the techno scene.
Although amphetamine inhibits fatigue, it can cause insomnia, tremors and palpitations, and can lead, in the most serious cases, to a heart attack or stroke.
In addition, its use mainly by inhalation can lead to dissolution of the nasal septum.
Amphetamine has a moderate addictive potential (1.67 on a scale of 0 to 3.0). Paranoid delusions, depression and psychosis are also possible effects of the drug.
On the other hand, methamphetamine, known as “crystal meth”, is even more dangerous.
opium and heroin
Heroin is derived from morphine, the main component of raw opium extracted from the poppy flower.
Morphine is legal as an analgesic and should only be used in cases of severe pain, such as in palliative medicine or for the relief of acute pain after a heart attack.
Heroin has a high potential for addiction, reaching a score of 3.0. In addition to its analgesic effect, heroin also causes euphoria and sleep disturbances, unlike morphine.
In cases of overdose, both morphine and heroin consumption can lead to respiratory arrest.
This risk is especially high among addicts who combine heroin use with alcohol or tranquilizers.
cocaine and crack
Cocaine is a substance extracted from the coca plant, and when mixed with sodium bicarbonate, it results in crack.
Cocaine has an addiction potential of 2.39. It causes euphoria, suppresses appetite and fatigue.
For a long time, it was the drug of choice for those who wanted to combine partying with their professional careers.
However, cocaine use comes at a high cost: increased heart rate, constriction of blood vessels, increased blood pressure and risk of heart attack. Prolonged use can lead to hallucinations and even irreversible psychosis.
Those who smoke crack damage the oral mucosa, while those who snort cocaine damage the nasal septum.
Specifically in the case of crack, the lethal dose is almost incalculable, since the drug is extremely potent.
LSD
LSD, short for “Lysergic Acid Diethylamide”, is a synthetic drug that induces a perceptual enhancement of the surrounding environment.
In the 1960s and 1970s, LSD was associated with use by hippies to explore expanding consciousness. Compared to alcohol or nicotine, the risk of lethal intoxication is lower.
Furthermore, its addiction potential is considered to be one of the lowest, with a score of 1.23 on a scale.
In individuals with a special predisposition, it can trigger an irreversible state of psychosis.
The use of LSD presents a significant danger of accidents, as users interpret misunderstand their surroundings, acting irrationally due to hallucinations and delusions psychotic.
Alcohol and nicotine: the “legal” drugs
Alcohol ranks higher (1.93) than marijuana, LSD, many sleep aids, amphetamines, and even other synthetic party drugs, such as ecstasy, in the ranking of drugs with “potential for addiction” moderate".
Over time, alcohol dependence causes damage to internal organs such as the liver and pancreas, in addition to negatively affecting the musculature and body. metabolism.
In turn, cigarettes have an even greater potential for dependence (2.21), surpassed only by crack, cocaine and heroin.
Every year, between 100,000 and 120,000 people die from smoking-related illnesses. Thus, tobacco and alcohol are among the most dangerous drugs.
Marijuana: drug or medicine?
In an increasing number of countries, lawmakers are debating the legalization of marijuana for medicinal, such as analgesia or appetite stimulation in cases of HIV infection or cancer treatment.
The substance THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), present in marijuana, has relaxing and analgesic properties. Its potential for addiction is considered “average”, with a score of 1.51.
Consumption of THC initially leads to a more intense perception of the environment, especially music, taste and sense of time.
Increased hunger is a common side effect. However, in the long term, marijuana use can result in a reduced ability to learn and reasoning, possibly due to changes in cerebral blood flow.