MDMA/ECSTASY
So me and my friends like to go to big parties. While
we're there we often take MDMA or ecstasy to stay up late and feel good. We don't overdo it
and we don't do it often. What are the risks and possible permanent effects of this as a purely
party habit? (Female, aged 18)
Depends on how often!! As you can see from the top twenty dangerous drugs, MDMA/Ecstasy are fairly
safe...........something like 10 people die in the UK every year from MDMA/Ecstasy use, but
it's taken by about 300,000 people every week-end......so it's FAIRLY safe.....but, sadly, still
illegal in the UK! There are not supposed to be any long-term side effects. Take Care!
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DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING
I'm confused. I smoke weed socially, but recently I have had problems concentrating. I'm not
sure if this is just stress or lack of sleep or the THC. Can you help? (female, aged 18)
Dope/weed/hash/THC and, especially, skunk do make it difficult to concentrate!! If you look
at the top twenty
dangerous drugs you will notice that cannabis is quite high up the list. Some people can
smoke all their lives and have no problems while others can suffer psychosis even after a
single joint. If you are having trouble concentrating, I would stop smoking it and wait a
couple of weeks........if your concentration is better after this break, only smoke the occasional
joint at week-ends or holidays!! Everything in moderation.
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DIFFERENT TYPES OF ACID
I have experimented occasionally with acid and I wanted to know why certain types are sold
on paper and certain types as liquid drops. Which is better, more fun and safer? Is there a
difference? Does acid have any long term effects? (Female, aged 18)
LSD itself is a liquid, so it's usually sold on bits of “blotting paper” that
absorbs a small amount. I've never had it as a liquid, but I would guess that it would be
difficult to get the dose right if you don't know what you're doing (which I wouldn't!). Again,
on the top twenty
dangerous drugs it's low down the ratings but it can be associated with psychosis and
personality disorders. I took it every week-end for about 1 year and don't seem to have come
to any harm, but other people who have taken it (such as Peter Green from Fleetwood Mac
and Syd Barrett from pink Floyd) had full blown schizophrenia after taking it. It is illegal in
the UK. The worry I would have is how do you know that it is “good” acid?
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SPECIAL K
I am a 16-year-old and smoke the occasional joint, and my friends all want me to take
Special K. What should I do? . . . . I'm not sure about it.
Special K is Ketamine. If you look at my chart of the 20 most 'dangerous' drugs (taken from a medical
journal) you will see that ketamine is No.6 (just below alcohol). In small doses it
gives you hallucinations and makes you feel weird, but kool!! In larger doses you go
down the so-called K-hole, which is where you lose consciousness and have
frightening hallucinations. The trouble is, it's very difficult to get the dose just right.
On top of this, if you take it with alcohol or other drugs, the effect can be very frightening.
At Glade (dance party near Newbury) in 2006 I had only two 'emergencies' to sort out,
and both were due to ketamine mixed with alcohol and diazepam (valium). Both patients
were fine in the end, but had a terrible 'trip' for about 12 hours: both swore they would never
take ketamine again.
Your choices are:
- Don't be bullied into taking Special K. I wouldn't, and it's not worth the risk.
- Take it . . . but you'll be sorry! If you do take it, make sure it's a very small dose and
do not take any other drugs (alcohol included).
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OLDER QUESTIONS
ICE
I have spent a weekend taking ice, and now have panic attacks and
chest pain. What should I do about it, and am I having a heart attack?
Ice is methamphetamine. This is an amphetamine (speed) derivative, and is very potent and
VERY dangerous. It causes anxiety and chest pains and the worst effect is that it also has a
profound anorexic effect. This means that you don't want to eat, and in experiments with rats,
when given the choice between food or methamphetamine, the rats will always
choose the drug, and starve to death! It is a much more dangerous drug than speed, and I
strongly advise you to stop using it, as it is very addictive. Your symptoms of anxiety and
chest pains will gradually get better over a week or so. If they haven't got better by then, you
should see your GP.
Your choices are:
- Stop taking ice. Having had it once in my life, I would never again touch the stuff!
- Keep taking it and you'll end up broke and starving to death!
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