Drug abuse and addiction are serious problems throughout the world. Illegal drugs can be majorly classified into 3 categories. These include stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens. Each type of drug affects the body in its distinct way and some drugs can have multiple effects.

This article will focus on the three main categories of recreational and illegal drugs. We will also shed some light on how it affects your body.

Stimulants

Stimulants are drugs that contribute to increasing alertness, attention, and energy. Some of the stimulants include cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamines (such as crystal meth). Stimulants can improve mood and also enhance physical activity. Some stimulants, such as Adderall, are prescribed for people suffering from attention hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but it is also abused by people who are not having ADHD.

They can also lead to dangerous side effects, such as increased heart rate, and cause a hike in blood pressure. Stimulants can be addictive and are often abused by people suffering from a variety of problems such as financial and domestic issues. In some cases, people who abuse stimulants can develop a tolerance, meaning they need to increase the amount of dosage they intake with time to induce the same effects.

Depressants

Depressants are drugs that function by slowing down the central nervous system. The most common depressants include alcohol, barbiturates (such as phenobarbital), and benzodiazepines such as Xanax which slows down the CNS. Depressants can cause drowsiness, relaxation, and impaired coordination if it is abused. Doctors sometimes prescribe such as Xanax for anxiety disorders, but people can abuse them without anxiety disorders to seek refuge from their issues or the thrill of adventure. 

The intake of depressants usually induces a feeling of mellowness and relaxation after. However, depressants can lead to numerous dangerous side effects, including slowed breathing and heart rate, unconsciousness, and even lead death in the worst-case scenario. Depressants can be addictive and are abused widely throughout the world. Some people who abuse depressants can develop a tolerance, meaning they need to take larger and larger doses to induce the same effects they experienced before

Overdose is a major concern when one is intaking drugs that are depressants. Mixing depressants with other drugs or alcohol can be lethal as it is known to cause death. 

Hallucinogens

As the name suggests, hallucinogens are drugs that induce hallucinations. They temper a person’s perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. Hallucinogens include LSD, ketamine, and magic mushrooms to mention a few. 

Hallucinogens can cause visual and auditory impairment by inducing thoughts that are not real but are soothing. They can also cause delusions and are also known to alter mood and perception. Some hallucinogens, such as LSD, can be highly addictive, but most are not considered to be addictive. However, hallucinogens have a reputation to cause dangerous side effects like paranoia, anxiety, and delusions. Hallucinogens can also interact dangerously with other drugs and medications if they are used in contrast. Illegal drugs can have a variety of short- and long-term effects on the body.