Intoxicant

Products

Legally, a distinction can be made between legal intoxicants (e.g., alcohol, nicotine) and prohibited substances (e.g., many hallucinogens, some amphetamines, opioids). Some substances, such as the opioids or the benzodiazepines, are used as drugs and are legally available with a doctor’s prescription. However, their use as intoxicants is not intended and is therefore referred to as abuse. Most intoxicants are legally classified as narcotics and are subject to the corresponding legislation. They are strictly regulated by the legislature due to their dependence potential and their potent pharmacological properties. However, there are prominent exceptions, such as alcohol. Loopholes in the law are always specifically sought to legally distribute intoxicants in the meantime.

Structure and properties

The class is very heterogeneous from a chemical point of view. However, groups with structurally closely related representatives can be formed. Intoxicants often show similarity to endogenous substances, especially neurotransmitters such as serotonin or norepinephrine. Some narcotics, such as morphine, psilocybin or DMT, have a natural origin and come from plants, fungi or even animals such as the Aga toad. Semi- and fully synthetic derivatives have been derived from these natural substances. Artificial agents without natural reference also exist.

Effects

The main effects of the different groups are:

Mood, emotions: Euphoria, mood elevation, increase in self-confidence, increase in empathy, escapism.
Relaxation: attenuation, calming, sleep promotion, anxiety relief.
Stimulation: stimulation, energy, promotion of alertness.
Hallucinations: Perceptual disturbances, dissociation, ego dissolution.
Sexuality: aphrodisiac effect

Intoxicants exert their effects in the central nervous system by interacting with endogenous systems and receptors. Typical drug targets include GABA receptors, opioid receptors, serotonin receptors, neurotransmitter transporters and cannabinoid receptors. They often mimic the effects of endogenous substances (agonists), promote the release of neurotransmitters, or prevent their reuptake into presynaptic neurons.

Indications for use

Intoxicants are consumed for a wide variety of reasons:

Social, religious and ceremonial functions, in the context of initiations, e.g. wine (alcohol).
As party drugs and club drugs, eg ecstasy, cocaine.
For stress relief, calming and relaxation, e.g. nicotine, alcohol.
As smart drugs for the promotion of mental performance, against fatigue, e.g. modafinil, caffeine, methylphenidate.
In case of dependence and addiction for the prevention of withdrawal symptoms, e.g. opioids, drugs.
Due to a group affiliation (social pressure), e.g. snuff, cannabis, tobacco smoking.
Experimentation and curiosity in adolescence, eg nutmeg.
Due to the euphoric effects (“high”), e.g. heroin.
For the expansion of consciousness, e.g. hallucinogens.
For escapism in a difficult life situation, e.g. sniffing substances.
For self-treatment of psychiatric disorders such as depression or psychosis, e.g. cannabis.
For the self-therapy of sleep disorders, e.g. alcohol.
For overcoming anxiety and low self-confidence, eg alcohol.
As a doping agent, e.g. amphetamines.
For the treatment of side effects caused by other addictive drugs, e.g. benzodiazepines.

Due to their potent effects, narcotics are further abused for suicides, toxic murders and for poisoning.

Dosage

Intoxicants are often ingested perorally, inhaled (smoked), injected or snorted. In addition, the other methods of application come into question. Those who use intoxicants should always start with a low dose and slowly approach the individually tolerable amount. However, intoxicants are often overused. One reason is the development of tolerance. This means that larger and larger amounts are needed to achieve the same effect. Over time, control can slip away from the user.A dependence, compulsive behavior and addiction develops.

Active ingredients (selection)

Alcohol, solvents, sniffing agents:

Alcohol
Ether
Wound fuel

Amphetamines and other stimulants:

Amphetamine
Benzylpiperazine
Camphetamine
Cathinone
Cocaine
Deoxypipradrol
Dexamphetamine
Ecstasy
Ephedrine
Fencamfamine
Fenetyllin
Cath
MDA
MDEA
MDMA (ecstasy)
Methamphetamine
Methylphenidate
Phentermine
Phenylpropanolamine
Pseudoephedrine

Anesthetics:

Ketamine
Methoxyflurane
Propofol

Antihistamines (1st generation):

Dimenhydrinate
Dimetindene maleate
Diphenhydramine

Barbiturates:

Butalbital
Pentobarbital
Secobarbital

Benzodiazepines:

Diazepam
Flunitrazepam and many others

Cathinone derivatives:

Alpha-PVP
Cathinon
MDPV
Mephedrone
Methylone

Cannabis, cannabinoids:

Dronabinol
Cannabis
Nabilone
Spice

Hallucinogens:

Bufotenin
DOM
DXM
Toadstool
Ibogaine
LSD
MDMA
Mescaline
Nutmeg
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Peyote
Psilocin
Psilocybe semilanceata (hallucinogenic fungi).
Psilocybin
Rolicyclidine
Salvia divinorum

Knockout drops:

Medications:

Analgesics
Anesthetics
Antianxiety drugs
Antiepileptic drugs, e.g., pregabalin
Antihistamines
Barbiturates
Sedatives
Benzodiazepines
Cough suppressants, e.g., codeine, dextromethorphan
Muscle relaxants
Sleeping pills

Medical gases:

Nitrous oxide

Solanaceae:

Henbane
Angel’s trumpet
Datura
Belladonna

Opioids:

Codeine
Desomorphine
Dextrometorphan
Heroin
Hydromorphone
Kratom
Morphine
Opium
Oxycodone
Tramadol
U-47700
AH-7921

Tobacco, Nicotine:

E-cigarettes
Nicotine
Snuff
Shisha (water pipe)
Snus

Interactions

Intoxicants generally have a high potential for interactions. Mixed use of similar substances is also problematic because their adverse effects can be amplified as a result. This is true, for example, of centrally depressant agents. Intoxicants are also often substrates of CYP450 isozymes. Interactions can occur with other addictive drugs, but also with drugs administered at the same time.

Adverse effects

Possible adverse effects and negative consequences of narcotic use include, for example:

Gastrointestinal disorders
Central nervous and psychiatric disorders, personality change.
Developmental disorders
Cardiovascular diseases
Respiratory diseases, respiratory depression
Visual disorders
Cancers
Withdrawal symptoms
Tolerance, dependence, addiction, craving
Infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis.
Accidents, violence, abuse
Miscarriage, embryopathies
Loss of employment, economic consequences, social decline.

Intoxicant use can be life-threatening and have a fatal outcome. Because many narcotics are illegally manufactured, grown or produced, they may contain false active ingredients, extenders or impurities. This poses an additional problem when consumed.