Category: Substance use

From a pharmacological perspective, alcohol is no different than other psychoactive substances, despite its widespread social acceptance and legality. A 2010 study by British scientists ranked alcohol as the most harmful drug overall, considering damage to both the user and others. This stark reality highlights the fundamental chemical and neurological similarities that answer the question of **how is alcohol similar to other drugs?**.

Derived from the Greek word for “stupor,” the term 'narcotic' has evolved significantly over time, and its meaning now differs depending on whether the context is medical, legal, or colloquial. Understanding what is a narotic drug requires distinguishing between these different interpretations to grasp its full implications.

While roughly 86% of adults in the United States have consumed alcohol at some point, many are confused about its effects. The question of 'Is vodka a stimulant or depressant?' is particularly common, stemming from the substance's complex and often contradictory impacts on the body and mind.

In 2023, the projected number of patients in the U.S. who received a stimulant prescription was 16.5 million [1.3.3]. When considering **what are 5 stimulant drugs**, it's crucial to examine both prescription medications and illicit substances to understand their full scope.

Native to Southeast Asia, the tropical tree *Mitragyna speciosa* has leaves that produce the substance kratom, which has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. In modern contexts, understanding what is the drug kratom used for is important, as it involves a complex pharmacology with both stimulant and opioid-like effects.

According to a 2023 report, half of the 8 million people in the United States who had used psilocybin reported that their last use was a microdose. This practice, which involves consuming a sub-perceptual amount of a substance, raises the important question of how many grams is good for microdosing to achieve desired effects while avoiding a full psychedelic experience.

According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 158,000 people aged 12 or older misused carisoprodol [1.2.3]. This raises a common question: **is carisoprodol considered a narcotic?** While it's a muscle relaxant, its potential for abuse leads to confusion about its classification [1.2.2].

Amphetamines are a class of powerful central nervous system stimulants, legally prescribed for conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, but also widely abused as illicit substances. The term "amp" is a common shorthand, often used in the context of drug testing or illegal drug use.

In 2023, nearly 80,000 opioid-involved overdose deaths occurred in the United States, a figure nearly ten times higher than in 1999 [1.5.3]. This article addresses the crucial question: **what are some street opioids?**

Recent data indicates that as many as 14.5% to 20% of college students report misusing prescription stimulants [1.4.1, 1.4.2]. To understand this trend, it is crucial to ask, what is the slang for Adderall? Common terms include 'Addys,' 'study buddies,' and 'smart pills' [1.2.1, 1.2.2].