We’ve obviously been to a rave or dance party, where we or someone we know may have used club drugs. These chemical substances are meant to stimulate the senses and make the party experience more enjoyable, but as responsible adults we should know that club drugs are far from innocent — in fact, they are quite dangerous and sometimes deadly.
Each type of club drug impacts an individual differently and shows up with dangerous side effects. In this article we will go through the most popular club drugs, so you can be aware of their advantages and disadvantages if you decide to take them.
THE MOST COMMON CLUB DRUGS
The list of synthetic club drugs is getting longer every year. Some of the common club drugs and their street names are:
Methamphetamine: Also called crystal meth, meth, ice, crystal, speed, tina and crank. It’s an amphetamine derivative with stimulant properties.
Ketamine: Also referred to as special K, K, fort dodge and vitamin K. Ketamine is a derivative of PCP used to create hallucinations and a numbing sensation in the arms and legs.
LSD: Lysergic acid diethylamide’s street names include acid and mellow yellow. This popular club drug has long-lasting psychoactive properties that distort and alter sensations and perceptions.
Ecstasy: Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is ecstasy’s chemical name. Street names include X, E, M&M, XTC, Adam, bean, clarity, roll and essence. Ecstasy is a hallucinogenic methamphetamine derivative.
Phencyclidine (PCP): Also called angel dust, elephant tranquilizer, the sheets, lovely, Love Boat, crystal, TAC, crystal joints (CJs) and hog. It’s known for producing a dissociative or out-of-body experience.
Shrooms: Psilocybin mushrooms, also called shrooms or magic mushrooms, is a psychoactive drug.
Other popular drugs include:
Xanax
Ketamine
Rohypnol or roofies
Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid or GHB, liquid ecstasy, grievous bodily harm, liquid x or Georgia homeboy
BRIEF HISTORY OF CLUB DRUGS
The rave scene became popular in the 1980s England, then eventually moved to the United States where it became even more popular. These all-night parties are often held on short notice, mostly at suburbs of towns, warehouses or abandoned properties. Raves are characterized by lot of people, loud music, bright lights and inevitably - club drugs.
Apart from raves, club drugs are also used in any other social setting where people want to experience psychoactive sensations.
First and foremost, danger associated these substances are the makeshift laboratories where they are manufactured. As a result, after buying it in the streets one can never be sure how clean the product is. Often many substances are cut with other unknown substances that can cause permanent damage to the brain and extremally increase the risk of overdose. Second biggest danger is the way these substances are consumed. People at raves and night clubs often drink alcohol while taking the club drugs. Just as its very dangerous to drink alcohol while taking any medication, same goes with club drugs. Together these abusive substances expose body to increased risks of overdose, heart attack or stroke.
Despite the risks, teenagers and young adults commonly take these drugs recreationally. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular ones to know what dangers are associated with each:
MDMA/ECSTASY
MDMA or Ecstasy widely known to enhance a person’s party or rave experience. The drug has psychoactive and energizing effects, making people more receptive to touch, sound, sight, and even emotions. People who take MDMA or Ecstasy will generally feel a strong wave of euphoria and increased energy for several hours.
MDMA usually comes in a powder form. Some drug dealers sell then as tablets and sometimes combining MDMA with other unknown substances, to make Ecstasy. Not only are these substances dangerous because you don’t know exactly what you’re getting, but MDMA/Ecstasy abuse can also lead to:
- Hypothermia or dehydration (especially if mixed with alcohol or a long night of dancing)
- Anxiety, restlessness, or irritability
- Headache, sweating, chills, or hot flashes
- Impulsivity and poor decision-making abilities
- Irregular heartbeat, hypertension, or other adverse effects on the central nervous system
KETAMINE
Due to recent medical breakthroughs, Ketamine is being used to treat severe depression. Recently it also has become popular club drug. In low doses, Ketamine acts as a sedative similar to opioid painkillers, but when abused, the drug has psychoactive effects, causing hallucinations and distorted perceptions.
The substance sometimes makes people feel out of touch with themselves and their surroundings. Some people have trouble speaking or even moving while taking ketamine. This state caused by the substance is often referred to as “k-hole.”
Other dangerous side effects of ketamine include:
- Blurry vision
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Confusion
- Problems swallowing
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Sweating
- Anxiety or nervousness
LSD
LSD is one of the most popular hallucinogens, causing vivid auditory and visual hallucinations. As a psychedelic, the drug changes how people feel and experience reality. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll overdose on LSD, but you might have a bad trip, where you experience any of the following side effects:
- Anxiety
- Flashbacks
- Panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- Seizures
A good trip can become bad one quickly, this is why it’s so dangerous to use LSD at a nightclub or rave. Not only are you surrounded by a lot of strangers, but it can lead to sensory overload – causing the trip to seem unbearable.
GHB
GHB is structurally similar to MDMA, causing similar effects. It’s known for euphoria and promoting connectivity to others. When taken in high doses, the drug becomes a depressant that leads to drowsiness, slow breathing, and memory loss. It also comes in the form of a colorless and odorless liquid so it’s easy to mix into alcoholic beverages.
GHB is becomes more dangerous when mixed with other depressants, such as benzodiazepines or alcohol. Taking too much GHB or mixing it with another substance can result in a dangerous or potentially fatal overdose.
ROHYPNOL
Rohypnol is a strong benzodiazepine that acts similar to Valium. In rare cases, it’s used to treat severe insomnia, but most uses of the drug are against the law. Rohypnol is considered is a central nervous system depressant, causing impaired coordination or drowsiness. In high doses, it leads to memory loss and even a loss of consciousness. Rohypnol is commonly known in the streets as “roofies.”
Like other benzodiazepines, mixing Rohypnol with alcohol or other depressants is extremely dangerous and can lead to a potentially fatal overdose. It’s also known to lead to the following side effects:
- Impaired judgment and lack of coordination
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Memory loss
- Respiratory depression
- Dizziness and loss of motor control
- Decreased reaction time
Furthermore, long-term abuse of this drug can lead to dependence and addiction, requiring professional substance abuse treatment.
METHAMPHETAMINE
Methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth or ice, is known as a highly addictive and powerful stimulant drug. Since it provides people with hours of energy and feelings of superiority, it’s also a popular club drug. However, meth is known to cause devastating short-term and long-term effects, such as:
- Itching or picking at the skin
- Hypertension, increased heart rate, and increased body temperature
- Anxiety, confusion, and paranoia
- Mood swings
- Violent or aggressive behaviors
- Hallucinations or stimulant-induced psychosis
- Dental problems
When taken in high doses, it often makes people extremely paranoid in large groups and leading to making bad decisions. When mixed with dehydration (which is common in parties and raves), the risks of meth as a club drug become even more dangerous.
As you can see from above, all drugs have their down sides which in many cases can cause severe health damages and even fatal outcomes. Therefore, you should always try to be more responsible and try have fun without abusing drugs, enjoyment of clubbing experience can be managed drug free by surrounding yourself with positive people, dancing and getting to know interesting new people. Just enjoy the moments that life brings to you and stay safe.