Stimulants, Depressants and Hallucinogens

Stimulants

What drugs are stimulants?

Cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, khat, nicotine and prescription stimulants.

How do they work?

Stimulant drugs speed up the messages travelling between the brain and the body. And so, they typically increase the pulse and breathing rate, elevate blood pressure, suppress the appetite and dilate the pupils.

What to expect?

Stimulants often produce a euphoric effect, with some people feeling more alert, energetic and confident.

A person using stimulants may be talkative, agitated and experience insomnia.

With prolonged use or if taken in large doses the effects may include anxiety, panic, seizures, headaches, stomach cramps, aggression and paranoia.

Long-term use of stimulants can also lead to a range of physical and mental health conditions and for more information about the effects of each drug refer to the fact sheets on drugs.

Depressants

What drugs are depressants?

Alcohol, cannabis, benzodiazepines, heroin and other opioids.

How do they work?

Depressant drugs slow down the functioning of the brain. They typically relieve anxiety.  They don’t necessarily make a person feel depressed, but rather reduce co-ordination and impair concentration and judgement.

What to expect?

Depressants often produce feelings of being relaxed, calm, or to help with sleep.

Other short-term effects may include dizziness, poor balance and co-ordination, and slower reflexes. In large doses, depressants may cause drowsiness, nausea, and loss of consciousness.

Long-term use of depressants can also lead to a range of physical and mental health conditions. For more information about the effects of each drug refer to the fact sheets on depressant drugs.

Hallucinogens

What drugs are hallucinogens?

LSD and ketamine are chemical-based hallucinogens; magic mushrooms (psilocybin) and peyote cactus are plant-based hallucinogens.

Cannabis and ecstasy can also have hallucinogenic properties.

How do they work?

Hallucinogenic drugs distort perceptions of reality, i.e. they change the way a person sees, hears and feels about a situation.  For example, a person may see things that do not actually exist, or a normal sensory experience may be exaggerated (such as seeing colours more vividly).  

What to expect?

The effects of hallucinogens are difficult to predict, and are greatly affected by the mood of the person and the context of use.  

The effects of hallucinogens vary, although often they produce feelings of relaxation.  Other short-term effects include nausea, increased heart rate, dizziness, confusion, clumsiness, and emotional swings.  

Long-term use of hallucinogens can also lead to a range of physical and mental health conditions and for more information about hallucinogens refer to the fact sheets on drugs.

 

There is no safe level of alcohol or drug use and the use of any drug always carries some risk. Combining drugs also known as ‘poly drug use’ increases the risk and can be extremely dangerous. The effects of mixing drugs can be unpredictable and people are more at risk of overdose, including death.