The Risks of Unusual Drugs and Why to Avoid Them
Cocaine, meth, and heroin are all well-known drugs of abuse, but they are only the tip of the iceberg. As a luxury treatment center in Palm Beach that’s treated many people for substance abuse, we know that some individuals experiment with unconventional and uncommon drugs seeking euphoria and an altered state of mind. These weird drugs can include a variety of natural and synthetic compounds, ranging from exotic plants to amphibian secretions. Although their allure lies in the promise of unique sensory experiences, there are also various risks involved. Keep reading to learn more about the weirdest drugs people use to get high and why you should avoid them.
Crazy Drugs People Have Used to Get High
A lack of money and accessibility has encouraged some individuals to test out different weird ways to get high. Many determined minds have discovered a variety of peculiar drugs that seem to produce side effects and highs similar to those of more commonly abused substances. We’re diving into the strangest drugs in the world, highlighting the risks and uncertainties of their side effects.
Paint Thinner
In a technique known as paint huffing, people will inhale the chemicals from paint thinners to get high. While paint thinners may provide a temporary feeling of euphoria, they can also be deadly. Even the first-time sniffing paint thinner could result in death from asphyxiation or lead to other serious health issues from lack of oxygen.
Paint thinner contains a variety of hazardous chemicals, including toluene, xylene, and acetone, all of which can cause adverse side effects if inhaled. Short-term exposure to paint thinner can lead to side effects like dizziness, nausea, headaches, confusion, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.
Long-term huffing or inhalation of paint thinner fumes can cause more severe health problems, such as damage to the nervous system, liver, and kidneys, respiratory problems, and even long-term memory and cognitive issues. What’s more, the chemicals in paint thinner can be highly flammable, adding the risk of accidental fires or poisoning. Therefore, it’s important to avoid huffing paint to get high and make sure to work with these substances in a well-ventilated space to avoid accidental intoxication.
Whippets
No, we are not talking about the dogs. Whippet drugs are nitrous oxide canisters from whipped cream dispensers. Some people will inhale the laughing gas inside to get high, but the consequences can be fatal.
Short-term effects of whippets may include dizziness, light-headedness, euphoria, and distorted sensory perceptions. Users may also experience effects like giggling or uncontrollable laughter, which is why whippets are also referred to as “laughing gas”.
However, long-term use of whippet drugs can lead to serious health risks like oxygen deprivation, vitamin B12 deficiency, respiratory problems, neurological issues, accidents and injuries, risky behavior, and addiction. Whippet drug abuse can also result in serious health problems including organ damage, seizures, paralysis, and even coma.1
Cough Syrup
Yes, even some over-the-counter cough medicines can contain small amounts of alcohol (dextromethorphan) and even codeine, which can result in a high when consumed in large quantities. Because of these ingredients, people who have undergone drug or alcohol addiction treatment are advised to avoid these cough syrups to reduce their risk of relapse.
On the other hand, some people abuse cough syrup for a quick high. While these OTC medications are abused for their hallucinogenic and mind-altering effects, they can also cause adverse reactions like dissociation and hallucinations, impaired coordination and judgment, nausea and vomiting, respiratory depression, mental health problems, liver damage, and allergic reactions.
As with the other substances mentioned on our list of weird drugs, cough syrup can also lead to addiction as a result of long-term misuse. There is even the potential to overdose.2
Toads
No, this is not a slang term. Arguably the craziest “drug” on our list is toad secretion. Getting high on toad secretion, particularly that of the Colorado River toad (Bufo alvarius), is the result of a substance called 5-Methoxy-N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT). This secretion contains the potent psychoactive compound 5-MeO-DMT, which is chemically similar to the hallucinogen DMT (N, N-Dimethyltryptamine).
While this tactic may produce a high, the risks far outweigh the “rewards”. Some possible side effects of getting high on toad secretion include:
- Ego dissolution
- Sensory overload
- Altered perception of time and reality
- Panic and anxiety
- Psychosis
- Impaired judgment and coordination
- Increased risk of accidents and injuries
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
- Risk of intoxication due to unknown purity and dosage
People may also experience frequent vomiting, irregular heartbeat, seizures, and eventually even death.3 All in all, it’s best to leave the toads alone and keep your tongue to yourself.
Jenkem
Jenkem is a “drug” that’s gained fame through urban legends and sensationalist media. It’s rumored to be a hallucinogenic inhalant that’s created by fermenting human waste. Users inhale the fumes from urine and feces that have been fermented in a container. Jenkem is a widely known method of getting high mainly through internet articles and news reports claiming that it’s popular in impoverished areas.
However, it’s more likely that the jenkem phenomenon is a hoax or exaggeration than a gross and weird way to get high. Even so, should anyone get the idea to try this method, keep in mind the potential risks of jenkem abuse, such as respiratory problems, intoxication, headache and confusion, and nausea and vomiting.
Air Duster
Inhaling air duster refers to inhaling compressed gases, otherwise referred to as “canned air,” “computer duster,” or “compressed air.” Air dusters usually contain compressed gases like difluoroethane that are used for cleaning, but some individuals may inhale them to get high.
As is the case with inhaling paint or human waste, air duster abuse can also have adverse side effects, such as:
- Euphoria
- Dizziness
- Distorted perception
- Hallucinations
- Oxygen deprivation
- Asphyxiation
- Frostbite and tissue damage to the mouth, throat, and respiratory system
- Cognitive impairments
- Memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Addiction
- Death
Datura
Also known as “witches’ weed,” datura is a plant that contains alkaloids, including scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine, which can cause delirious and hallucinogenic effects. This substance is highly toxic and can produce negative side effects like:
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Lack of awareness of reality
- Dry mouth, blurred vision
- Increased heart rate
- Difficulty urinating
- Constipation
- High body temperature
- Panic, anxiety, and paranoia
- Poor judgment
- Impaired motor skills
- Coordination issues
- Increased risk of accidents and injuries
- Irregular heartbeats
- Fluctuations in blood pressure
- Central nervous system depression
- Addiction
- Legal consequences
Morning Glory Seeds
Morning glory seeds contain LSA (lysergic acid amide), a chemical similar to LSD. For this reason, individuals may ingest high quantities of morning glory seeds to experience hallucinogenic effects. However, as is the case with the other weird drugs mentioned on our list, abusing morning glory seeds can lead to negative reactions, such as:
- Nausea and vomiting,
- Stomach discomfort
- Vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels)
- Hallucinations, altered perceptions, and changes in mood and thought patterns
- Panic, anxiety, and paranoia
- Overdose
- Legal consequences
- Long-term cognitive and mental health problems
Not only are these unique drugs surprising, but there are also weird methods for getting high, as well. Gone are the days of simply popping pills or drinking alcohol. People are always looking for a stronger and faster way to get high, encouraging them to experiment with a range of methods from boofing drugs to licking toads.
Regardless of the substance being abused or the form of administration, drug abuse of any kind is dangerous. Especially when people try to experiment with unusual drugs or combine substances, the results can be unpredictable and even deadly.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance abuse, don’t wait to get help. Whether it’s an uncommon form of substance abuse or the very prevalent opioid addiction, our luxury drug and alcohol rehab in South Florida can create a treatment plan that meets your needs.
For more information about our outpatient or residential addiction treatment in Palm Beach, call Seaside Palm Beach today at 561-677-9374 or contact us online.
Related Reading:
The Repercussions of Boating Under the Influence
Alcohol and Gum Disease
