Tag: Substance use

According to the DEA, kratom is an "increasingly popular drug of abuse and readily available on the recreational drug market in the United States". It is a complex botanical with a dose-dependent profile, causing stimulant effects at low doses and opioid-like effects at high doses, blurring the lines for why and how it's used.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), long-term use of benzodiazepines can increase the risk of addiction, severe side effects, and even death. This highlights that a major side effect of benzodiazepines is the potential for physical dependence and dangerous withdrawal symptoms upon cessation.

Each year, alcohol and other drugs are involved in over 137,000 hospital admissions [1.2.7]. To address this, it's crucial to understand key terminology. So, **what does AOD stand for in healthcare?** The most common meaning is **'Alcohol and Other Drugs'** [1.2.1, 1.3.3].

Studies show that as many as 28% of people with chronic pain have turned to alcohol for relief [1.2.1]. While it may seem to help temporarily, asking 'What alcohol is the best painkiller?' opens a discussion on a practice fraught with serious medical risks.

Nicotine poisoning cases have seen a sharp increase in recent years, particularly linked to the rise of concentrated nicotine products like e-cigarettes. This phenomenon, often colloquially called "nic sick," is the body's adverse reaction to taking in too much nicotine too quickly, overwhelming its ability to process the stimulant.

Over 49 million Americans reported using cannabis in the past year, but many are confused by slang terms like "hush hush drug". This article demystifies the term, explaining that it is not a formal or technical pharmacological designation but likely a misnomer for hashish, a concentrated form of cannabis.

In 2024, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) seized over 1,108 kg of ketamine, a significant increase reflecting its growing illicit use [1.8.4]. So, **what drug is gloss?** This slang term is most commonly associated with **ketamine**, a powerful dissociative anesthetic with significant risks when used recreationally [1.3.1, 1.3.4].

N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a potent psychedelic compound found in various plants and animals, with some research indicating it may also be produced endogenously in the human body, specifically within the pineal gland. Known colloquially as the “spirit molecule,” this substance is recognized for inducing intense and rapid hallucinogenic experiences.