Humans have unique tendencies where they like to alter their state of mind, whether giving a small spark to reality or altering it completely. This practice has been done for centuries using various kinds of substances and methods. Things commonly we find like alcohol or caffeine to extreme drugs are used to giving us intoxicating effect.
The reasons behind it are still debatable, some theories mentioning the relation with personality type, psychological problem, gender, age, trauma and even curiosity. Nowadays, society starts to normalizing recreational use of some substances and drugs. Even if overusing it can cause several undesirable side effects, people still recognize it as a general lifestyle. There are many types of chemicals that alter human perceptions. What we know as getting high can fall between euphoriants, hallucinogens or even depressants types depend on what you count as high. Getting high mostly known as a mixture of feeling calm, overly joy and reality distortions.
List of Chemicals That Get You High
Here are 10 chemicals that proven can get you high:
1. Dextromethorphan (DXM)
Ever feel a calm euphoric feeling after gulping a cough syrup? That’s probably because a compound behind it called dextromethorphan. DXM is a morphinan class drug with a sedative, dissociative, and stimulant properties. Consuming DXM in normal dose will only reduce your alertness, but abusing it will induce hallucinations, euphoria, several side effects like nausea, drowsiness, and vomiting. A long period of recreational use had been documented causing psychological dependence and withdrawal symptoms, but it still considered less addictive.
2. Anti-Histamine
Used to treat allergies by reducing or blocking histamine, anti-histamine can cause drowsiness. Its recreational appeal is mostly caused by anticholinergic properties that inhibit parasympathetic nerve impulses.The sedative effect soars up if it mixed with other abused medication or alcohol. A higher dose of antihistamines can cause confusion, blurred visions and even overdose.
3. Ethanol
Consumed legally around the globe by people from various backgrounds, social statuses, and religions. This substance has various names but commonly people called it alcohol. Ethanol is the substances responsible for alcohol addiction. Alcoholic beverage commonly contains 3%-60% ethanol. Act as central nervous system depressant and serotonin and dopamine stimulant, ethanol can affect you in just 30 minutes. Consuming it can cause euphoria and dizziness. However overconsuming may cause unstable blood pressure, fast heartbeat, and blackouts. A long period of consumptions can even cause several organ failures, mainly liver.
4. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
If this sound familiar, probably because this chemical come from one of world most popular plant we know as cannabis. It acts as psychoactive compound and stimulates the brain to release dopamine to create euphoria. THC attached to cannabinoid receptors that can affect memory, movement, coordination, and perception which later can induce hallucinations. Even if the long-term effects are still questionable, but it’s documented that chronic users of THC experienced paranoia and withdrawal symptoms. You can also read: Chemicals in Weed
5. Cannabidiol (CBD)
Cannabidiol is also found in cannabis and as popular as THC. Coming from the same nature as THC, this compound gives you a whole different effect. CBD acts as a relaxant, antipsychotic and is known safer than THC. Consuming specific ratios of THC and CBD can cause anxiety, paranoia, and panic. Even if CBD user claims it medical benefits, but WHO still does not recommend it as a medical use since more evidence is needed.
6. Nitrous Oxide
Mainly known as laughing gas, and used in a wide area such as an oxidizer in rocket motor to dentistry anesthetic. You might have seen footages of people getting high after wisdom tooth removal. This happens because exposure to it can cause depersonalization, euphoria and even mild aphrodisiac effect. Inhalation of nitrous oxide as recreational use started in the seventeenth century in Britain known as “laughing gas parties” and still used nowadays in festivals and parties. Nitrous oxide has a short-lived effect that happens from 1 to 5 minutes and is not safe to inhale while standing up.
7. Myristicin
Present in small amounts in nutmeg and other spices, myristicin has psychoactive properties. The intoxications effects vary from person to person, but mostly it’s a mixture of excitement and confusion. Nutmeg can also induce hallucinogenic effects and after-effects that lasted up to several days. However, recreational use of it is prone to poisoning.
8. Chloroform
It’s classified as an extremely hazardous substance in the United States, this organic compound has a sweet-smelling. Chloroform can cause depression in the central nervous system. These properties make it effectively used as an anesthetic and even sometimes used for criminal used to knock out the victim. Still, some people used it as an inhalant for it’s intoxicating and sedative effects. Over inhalation of chloroform can cause loss of consciousness and long-term exposure may cause liver’s problem.
9. Gasoline
Gasoline inhalation is mostly used as the alternate intoxicant in poorer communities. Sniffing gasoline vapor can create the same effect as alcohol intoxication since it also depresses the central nervous system. Gasoline contains a lot of additives that can be toxins to the human body. This inhaled and built up toxin additives can cause major respiratory problems and permanent brain damage.
11. Nicotine
Though you probably never get high by smoking tobacco, nicotine found in tobacco leaves is proven as a mood-altering and psychoactive substances. It induces the release of serotonin, dopamine, beta-endorphins, and several chemical messengers. This might be why nicotine is highly addictive. Beside that raise metabolism and lower appetite, which end up in user weight loss. Nicotine alone is doubtfully carcinogen, but consuming it while pregnant can cause harm to the fetus since it alters brain metabolism.
You can also read: Chemicals in Cigarette
Thus, you need to be careful of those list of chemicals that get you high.
Chemical Effects That Will Get You Drunk
Though several tempting effects, we still have to be responsible as a person if we going to use it.
- Prevent using any intoxicant drugs and substances in any conditions if possible.
- If that can’t do, choose safer and less harming drugs.
- Avoid using it at the same time as activities that need focus and alertness such as driving and operating machinery.
- Avoid using it during pregnancies, lactations and near underages.
You can also read: Chemicals to Avoid during Breastfeeding
Being a responsible user can prevent us from any unwanted harms, side effects, and even addictions. Abusing drugs and substances will do you no good and even can drag you to a criminal problem. Meanwhile, don’t play with those list of chemicals that get you high.