Products
The narcotics are a group of centrally acting drugs and substances, which are strongly regulated and controlled by the state respectively by the drug and health authorities. This is primarily to prevent abuse and to protect the population from the undesirable effects and addiction. Certain narcotics – for example, many potent hallucinogens – are banned or may only be used for medical or scientific purposes with an exceptional permit from the authorities. Some of the substances are also referred to as “psychotropic substances” in the Narcotics Act. In practice, however, this term is not familiar. Typical dosage forms include tablets, capsules, drops, transdermal patches and injectables. Narcotics are also known to be illegally manufactured or cultivated, distributed and traded. Natural narcotics such as opium, cannabis and coca leaves have been used for thousands of years. Narcotics legislation is relatively young. The first regulations came into force in the early 20th century, and in many countries in the 1920s.
Structure and properties
Narcotics are structurally very disparate. However, several groups can be distinguished within this class (see below). Often narcotics are structurally related to endogenous substances such as neurotransmitters.
Effects
Narcotics have analgesic, psychotropic, hallucinogenic, stimulant, euphoric, sedative, tranquilizing, and sleep-inducing properties, among others. Their drug targets are located in the central nervous system, i.e., the brain and spinal cord. Many agents have known endogenous ligands that interact with the same targets.
Indications
Typical indications for the use of narcotics are:
- Pain
- Sleep disturbances
- Psychiatric disorders, anxiety
- Irritable cough
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- Anesthesia
- Overweight and obesity (obsolete).
Abuse
Narcotics have a high potential for abuse. Among other things, they can be abused as intoxicants, party drugs, stimulants, hallucinogens, smart drugs, for suicides and toxic murders. Abuse is strongly discouraged because of the harmful properties. Getting off narcotics proves very difficult for most addicts.
Active ingredients (selection)
The following list shows a small selection of narcotics: Opioids:
- Alfentanil
- Buprenorphine
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Heroin
- Hydrocodone
- Methadone
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs:
- Alprazolam
- Bromazepam
- Diazepam
- Flunitrazepam
- Lorazepam
- Zolpidem
Barbiturates:
- Butalbital
- Pentobarbital
- Secobarbital
Amphetamines and other stimulants:
- Aminorex
- Amphetamine
- Dexamphetamine
- Cathine
- Cathinon
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamine
- Methylphenidate
- Phentermine
Medicinal drugs:
- Cannabis
- Coca leaves
- Kath
- Opium
Hallucinogens:
- Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
- Hallucinogenic mushrooms such as.
- Ibogaine
- LSD
- Mescaline
- Peyotl
- Psilocybin
- Salvia divinorum
- San Pedro
Other examples:
- Gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB).
- Dronabinol (THC)
Alcohol should also belong to the narcotics from a purely scientific point of view. It is psychoactive, addictive and can cause acute and chronic health disorders. However, it is not counted among them for cultural, political and economic reasons.
Contraindications
The contraindications depend on the individual substances. Full precautions can be found in the drug label.
Interactions
The combination of multiple narcotics can be life-threatening. This is especially true for centrally depressant drugs. There are many known cases of celebrities who have died due to such drug and narcotic cocktails.For example, actors Heath Ledger and Philip Seymour Hoffman, as well as singer Whitney Houston and singer Tom Petty.
Undesirable effects
Narcotics can cause psychological and physical dependence and lead to addiction. They often have little therapeutic breadth, and overdose is life-threatening. Narcotics can cause various adverse effects with both short-term and long-term administration. If they are abruptly discontinued, withdrawal symptoms are likely. Illegally manufactured substances may contain impurities, pathogens, and the wrong ingredients, leading to poisoning and infection. This poses an additional risk.