Since anesthetics administered by inhalation became available, there have been instances of their self-administration, not to produce unconsciousness and anesthesia, but to induce a sense of giddiness, intoxication and sometimes euphoria. Among the agents used in this way are ether, chloroform and nitrous oxide. More recently, certain volatile solvents - such as the acetone […]

The outstanding and distinctive characteristic of dependence on opium and morphine-like agents is that the major features - psychological and physical dependence, as well as tolerance - can be initiated by the repeated administration of small doses, and increase in intensity in direct relation to an increase in the dosage. This characteristic implies that […]

Drugs of this type include lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD, “acid”), psilocybin (”magic mushrooms”) and mescaline (peyote). Drugs of the LSD-type induce a state of excitation of the brain that is manifested in a number of ways:

- changes in mood
- anxiety
- distortion in sensory perception
- visual hallucinations
- delusions
- depersonalization
- dilation of the pupils
- increase in body […]

Cocaine is the prototype of stimulant drugs that are capable, in high dosages, of inducing euphoric excitement and hallucinatory experiences. Because of these properties, cocaine ranks high in the esteem of experienced drug users, and it can lead to the highest degree of psychological dependence. Cocaine induces feelings of muscular strength and mental alertness, leading […]

CANNABIS (MARIJUANA)
The hemp plant, Cannabis sativa, grows in most temperate to tropical parts of the world. It is used both for its fiber and its psychoactive properties.
Although it is still employed in some traditional systems of medicine, cannabis is of little importance in modem medical practice.
The amount of psychoactive material in a given cannabis […]