The Florida State University

Other Drugs

Ecstasy (MDMA)

MDMA or "Ecstasy" is a phenethylamine, entactogen, and empathogen with qualities of both a hallucinogen and a stimulant. It is usually sold as small tablets of various colors imprinted with popular icons or words and has a very real potential to be dangerous.

Side Effects Include:

  • Tightening of the jaw muscles
  • Teeth clenching and grinding
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Excessive pupil dilation
  • Excessive sweating
  • Tremor
  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Muscle rigidity
  • Shuffling gait
  • Esophoria (tendency for eyes to turn inward)
  • Difficulty urinating

For more information go to:

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~healthed/groups/dapa/otherdrugs/mdma.html

Hookah

Despite popular belief, hookah is not safer than smoking cigarettes. 
  • Hookah smoke contains high levels of toxic compounds, including tar, carbon monoxide, heavy metals and cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens). In fact, hookah smokers are exposed to more carbon monoxide and smoke than are cigarette smokers.
  • As with cigarette smoking, hookah smoking is linked to lung and oral cancers, heart disease and other serious illnesses.
  • Hookah smoking delivers about the same amount of nicotine as cigarette smoking does, possibly leading to tobacco dependence.
  • Hookah smoke poses dangers associated with secondhand smoke.
  • Hookah pipes used in hookah bars and cafes may not be cleaned properly, risking the spread of infectious diseases, such as herpes and tuberculosis .
  • Hookah smoking by pregnant women can result in low birth weight babies.

K2 / SPICE

Information about the potentially dangerous synthetic cannabinoids commonly referred to as herbal incense or spice can be found at:

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/k2-spice-gold-herbal-incense-faq

Marijuana

Marijuana Data at FSU

According to Florida State University’s 2010 National College Health Assessment 76% of FSU students DO NOT use marijuana in a typical month.

Pros and Cons of Marijuana Use

Positive Effects

  • Euphoria/high
  • Irritability reduction
  • Anxiety reduction
  • Boredom reduction
  • Sleep aid
  • Social Reinforcement

Negative Effects

  • Learning and memory impairment
  • Coordination/balance/motor impairment
  • Attention and judgment impairment
  • Breathing problems (chronic cough, bronchitis, and emphysema)
  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure while high increases risk of heart attack
  • Increased risk of head, neck, and lung cancer
  • Depression/sleepiness
  • Paranoia (anxiety/fear/distrust/panic)
  • Psychosis (hallucinations/delusions/depersonalization)

Is Marijuana Addictive?

Contrary to popular belief marijuana can lead to addiction. Marijuana is not physically addictive; however, it is psychologically addictive which may lead to compulsive drug seeking and abuse despite known harmful effects on functioning (school, social, family, work, recreation, etc.)

Common Symptoms of Withdrawal include:

  • Irritability/anger
  • Sleeplessness
  • Depressed mood
  • Anxiety/Restlessness
  • Headaches
  • Decreased/ Loss of appetite
  • Craving marijuana

Withdrawal symptoms start at about 1 day of abstinence, peak at 2-3 days, and subside within 1-2 weeks.

More Marijuana Information

Check out NIDA’s research report on marijuana abuse.

http://www.nida.nih.gov/researchreports/marijuana/Marijuana3.html


For more information on Other Drugs go to www.mystudentbody.com (password is Seminole)