What are the Different Types of Drugs?
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Drugs are often grouped according to their method of use and their effect on the brain and central nervous system (CNS).
Below, you’ll find information on several types of drugs, including some with legitimate medical uses and others that are primarily used illicitly.
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Central Nervous System Stimulants
Stimulants are substances that cause the CNS to work more quickly. They work by boosting neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which boost energy, focus, motivation, and wakefulness.
When used inappropriately, stimulants can cause euphoria and quickly lead to addiction.
Prescription Stimulants
Prescription stimulants, such as Adderall and Ritalin, are designed for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
ADHD is thought to cause lower amounts of dopamine in the brain. Prescription stimulants increase dopamine levels, allowing those with ADHD to temporarily experience the same general dopamine level as that of a neurotypical person.
Because stimulants increase wakefulness, they are also prescribed for people with narcolepsy, a disorder that causes uncontrollable daytime sleepiness.
It is vital to understand that when used appropriately, prescription stimulants help people manage their conditions and improve their overall quality of life. When a person with ADHD or narcolepsy uses a stimulant as prescribed, they should not experience a “high,” as these medications increase their dopamine levels from a low baseline.
However, when people with typical dopamine levels use prescription stimulants, they face a high risk of addiction, as these medications increase their ordinary baseline dopamine levels to unsafe heights.
Cocaine and Crack Cocaine
Cocaine is a white, powdered stimulant drug derived from the coca plant. While the coca plant itself produces only a mild energy boost, cocaine has a much stronger and more dangerous impact.
While cocaine is illicit under most circumstances, it does have one legal use: as a numbing agent for specific medical procedures, particularly dental surgery.
Otherwise, it is usually insufflated (snorted) through the nose, though it may be abused in other ways as well.
A particular type of cocaine, called crack cocaine, is a fast-acting drug mixed with added ingredients in order to make it smokable. Crack cocaine is named for the crackling sound that it makes when heated.
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine (meth) is a highly dangerous and extremely addictive stimulant drug. It is more powerful than other stimulants because rather than blocking the reuptake of dopamine or stimulating dopamine production, meth does both at the same time.
Meth is also particularly dangerous because it is made from household chemicals and other substances that are not intended for human consumption.
Central Nervous System Depressants
Depressants are called depressants not because they directly cause depressive symptoms but because they slow activity in the CNS. (However, substance abuse, including depressant abuse, can exacerbate depression.)
Many depressant drugs are prescription medications with legitimate medical uses. Much like prescription stimulants for ADHD and narcolepsy, prescription depressants can be used safely and appropriately by people with certain conditions.
However, they also have a high potential for abuse, and those with a history of substance abuse should tell their doctor about these concerns before taking a depressant drug.
Alcohol
Many are surprised to learn that alcohol is a depressant. Because alcohol can reduce inhibitions, some people experience what feels like a short-term stimulant effect after consuming it.
However, alcohol does indeed slow down signals in the brain. This slowed CNS activity is why many people experience relaxation immediately after consuming alcohol. It is also the reason why the side effects of alcohol include drowsiness and clumsiness.
Sedatives
Sedatives are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia, seizure disorders,and several other conditions. Medications such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines are considered sedatives.
Most sedatives work by increasing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity, which induces a sense of calm.
Hypnotics
Like sedatives, hypnotic medications are often prescribed for sleep disorders, including insomnia. They produce similar effects but have different mechanisms of action.
Sedatives induce sleep in a more indirect manner, by slowing neurotransmitter communication in the brain. Hypnotics are designed to induce sleep directly and maintain a longer duration of sleep.
Opiates and Opioids
Opiates and opioids are drugs that relieve pain and can also produce euphoria. They work by attaching to the brain’s opioid receptors.
Prescription Opioids
Prescription opioids are sometimes called “painkillers,” and they are prescribed for extreme, chronic, or acute pain. Because of their high potential for abuse, they are most often prescribed in situations when other options are not strong enough to provide pain relief. Common reasons for opioid prescriptions include:
treatment-resistant chronic pain
post-surgery pain
pain from a severe injury
cancer-related pain
One type of prescription opioid, called fentanyl, is particularly dangerous due to its strength.
Although fentanyl is a prescription medication, it can also be replicated illegally. Fentanyl is sometimes mixed with street drugs to increase their potency. If somebody who has not developed a strong tolerance to opioids consumes fentanyl, they face a high risk of a potentially fatal overdose.
Heroin
Heroin is a street drug derived from the opium poppy plant. It usually appears as a white, off-white, or beige powder. Like powder cocaine, it is often insufflated but can be abused in other ways as well.
Psychedelics
Psychedelics, also called hallucinogens, are drugs that alter consciousness. In other words, they temporarily change the way that people experience their surroundings through the senses. These substances have been used in both recreational and spiritual settings.
Psychedelics can cause people to see or hear things that are not actually present. Some psychedelic drugs may cause an enhanced sensory experience, with or without overt hallucinations. For example, a person who takes psychedelic drugs may perceive colors or texture more acutely than they would otherwise experience them.
According to several sources, such as Pharmacological Reviews, psychedelic drugs are non-addictive. Some studies have even examined the potential benefits of these drugs for addiction treatment. However, their use remains illegal in the United States.
Inhalants
Inhalants (not to be confused with medical inhalers) are chemicals stored in pressurized containers. These are generally household items, such as cleaning agents, that are not intended for human consumption.
The effects of inhalants depend on the type and amount of substance consumed. Common experiences include euphoria, confusion, hallucinations, and loss of motor control.
Cannabis
Cannabis (marijuana) is a psychoactive plant that is consumed in several ways, such as smoking and ingestion. Its desired effects include euphoria and relaxation, though some people experience feelings of paranoia when using cannabis.
Cannabis has some medical uses, such as treating chronic pain and appetite loss. However, more research is needed on cannabis and its medical potential. Due to its (often disputed) classification as a schedule I drug, research has lagged.
People also use cannabis in spiritual and recreational settings. In the United States, the legality of cannabis varies by state.
Adverse Effects
All drugs have the potential for adverse effects. Some substances produce stronger and more frequent adverse effects than others. In the case of legal, appropriately-used medications, patients and doctors may work with one another to weigh the risks and benefits.
Side Effects of Stimulants
The severity of stimulant side effects varies depending on the person, type of drug, drug strength, and several other factors. For example, people who use prescription stimulants appropriately are unlikely to experience the same side effect severity as people who use illicit and uncontrolled substances. Some potential side effects of stimulants include:
dry mouth
insomnia
elevated heart rate
decreased appetite
anxiety
stomach pain
chills
confusion
headaches
dizziness
increased sweating
paranoia
erratic behavior
psychosis
Side Effects of Depressants
Depressant drugs may cause immediate, noticeable side effects such as slurred speech, loss of coordination, cognitive difficulties, and confusion. A person using CNS depressants may also experience stomach pain, nausea, and low blood pressure.
Higher doses may also slow a person’s heart and breathing rates to dangerously low levels.
Side Effects of Opioids
Like other drugs and medications, the side effects of opioids often depend on several factors. These include the strength of the medication, whether it has been mixed with other substances, and the length of time in which a person has taken them. For example, a person who takes legitimate prescription opioids for short-term pain will likely experience far fewer side effects than a person who has used heroin for several years. Some opioid side effects include:
itching
constipation
nausea
sleepiness
rebound pain after stopping opioids
dizziness
slowed breathing
Among these side effects, constipation and nausea are especially common.
Side Effects of Psychedelics
Psychedelic use does have risks, particularly when a person uses psychedelics without supervision from a sober individual. Potential adverse effects include disturbing or frightening hallucinations, anxiety or panic, and participating in dangerous activities in reaction to hallucinations.
In clinical settings, people receiving psychedelic therapy are closely monitored by medical professionals. In recreational settings, people often reduce the risk of harm by having one or more individuals remain sober to calm participants who are under the influence.
Side Effects of Inhalants
Very shortly after use, inhalants may cause confusion, delirium, and intense mood changes such as anger. Other side effects of inhalants include:
sleepiness
loss of inhibition
loss of coordination
impaired judgment
cognitive difficulties
aggression
nausea and vomiting
dizziness
headache
muscle weakness
increased heart rate
The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that nearly all inhalants cause anesthesia (loss of physical sensation) if a person consumes a large enough amount.
Side Effects of Cannabis
While cannabis is safer than many other substances, it does carry certain risks. Even when consuming cannabis legally, people should stay aware of potential side effects.
Several sources, both officially and anecdotal, claim that the cannabis on the market today is much stronger than the cannabis that was available in the past. This increased strength could result in more prevalent side effects, which can include anxiety, panic, and increased appetite. Very large doses of cannabis can cause psychosis.
Sources:
Cannabis (Marijuana) - National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Cocaine (Topical Route) Side Effects - Mayo Clinic
Drug Fact Sheet: Depressants - United States Drug Enforcement Agency
Hypnotics and Sedatives - Introduction to Basics of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Opioid Complications and Side Effects - Pain Physician
Opioids - Johns Hopkins Medicine
Prescription CNS Depressants - Boise State