The 7 most consumed drugs in the world, and their effects

Something that defines drugs is that, beyond their potential psychoactive effects and their ability to of generating serious addictions, have reached practically all corners of human societies. Today we can talk about massive drug use, and in some cases, its use has become so normal that it can even be controversial to talk about the harmful effects of some of the most popular.

In this article We will review the most consumed drugs in the world, and we will see its characteristics, and why they are harmful and the reason for professional assistance in case of addiction.

• Related article: "Types of drugs: know their characteristics and effects"

How does drug addiction arise on a mass scale?

In the world, there are many substances with the ability to enter the human brain and interfere with its functioning. Many of them also not only alter the normal dynamics of the nervous system, but also they are making touches that predispose us to want to repeat the experience of consuming that substance.

This process by which consuming something directly affects our behavior by going to the base of everything we do, the brain, has achieved not only that millions of people have seen their lives turn upside down because of drugs, but even drug use can already be understood as a sociological phenomenon, which does not occur in individuals isolated.

Of course, many psychologists see in this fact the need to offer services specially designed to help addicted people. Andrés Quinteros Turinetto, psychologist and Director of the Cepsim Psychology Center, with several stores in Madrid, points out that addictions are so complex that in his center they consider intervention programs that always work from the double psychiatric and psychotherapeutic approach.

To take care of this, the Cepsim team has created an institution called CEPSIM-CETRAD, which starts from the beginning from an integral therapy that combines both approaches. Doing it any other way would not be as effective, says Adrés Quinteros, because where there is behavior (psychology) there is a functioning brain (psychiatry), and vice versa.

For this reason, whenever we talk about the most consumed drugs, we are not only talking about substances, but also about the behavioral dynamics that tend to go hand in hand with their use: addictive substances are nothing without the actions that lead to wanting to use more, and mental health professionals can work to modify these patterns of use conduct.

The most consumed drugs, and their effects

As we have seen, although the most popular and widely used drugs vary in their effects, they are all based on in changes in the brain and changes in consumer behavior, predisposing them to continue consuming. This vicious circle is responsible for the fact that today there are substances as ubiquitous as the following.

1. Alcohol

It must not be forgotten that alcohol is a drug, that although it is legal in practically all countries, It has two characteristics that make it very dangerous: It is one of the most addictive, and its effects greatly increase the probability of death, not only for those who consume it, but also for others, because it leads to risky behaviors. In addition, it is one of the most consumed drugs, and the age at which you start to drink products that contain this substance is getting younger.

On the other hand, the process of giving up alcohol is one of the most complicated, due to the aforementioned intensity of dependency that it generates in consumers who abuse alcohol. Thus, treatment by medical and psychological professionals is essential, says Andrés Quinteros.

• You may be interested in: "Alcoholism: these are the effects of drink dependency"

Tobacco is another of the drugs so popular that we often forget what they are.

It is a highly addictive substance. with a very significant impact on our health, since although its effects on the mind are not usually as intense as those of The rest of the drugs that we see around here (beyond predisposing us to adjust our behavior to addiction), damage our system circulation and in addition to greatly increasing our chances of suffering from cancer makes the body in general work worse and get old before

cocaine It is one of the most consumed psychostimulants, and also appears in very different contexts: from parties and concerts to offices and workplaces, and of course also in homes.

This is so because the excitatory effects of cocaine are not only sought for the feeling of euphoria that produce, but certain work environments are so harsh that workers see in this substance a support for short term.

Amphetamines are based on excessive potentiation of the effects of dopamine and norepinephrine, substances that are naturally present in the brain and that act as neurotransmitters, that is, messenger molecules that go from one neuron to another.

On the other hand, its stimulant effects of amphetamines have meant that in certain cases, and only under under medical supervision, versions of this substance are used as drugs to treat some disorders, such as example the narcolepsy or the ADHD.

Andrés Quinteros points out that the use of this substance as a drug, although it may be relatively beneficial in specific cases, always goes hand in hand with the risk of patients developing dependence.

• Related article: "Amphetamines: the effects and mechanisms of action of this drug"

Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant related to amphetamine, which, as we have seen, is also one of the most widely used drugs, especially in countries with Western culture. It is also one of the most addictive drugs in the world, a fact for which is very present in drug trafficking and is only legally available by prescription.

Although the effects of this substance begin with a state of general excitement, Andrés Quinteros explains that many of the people hooked on this drug end up in a state of constant exhaustion and stagnation due to to what become unable to sleep for several days.

Cannabis or marijuana is a substance extracted from the various variants of the Cannabis sativa plant, and bases its psychoactive functioning on a molecule called tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Marijuana has the particularity that it presents ambivalence regarding its ability to induce states of depression or activation of the nervous system, since it is capable of both generating states of calm and relaxation as well as excitement and euphoria.

On the other hand, other typical effects of cannabis are the disorder of ideas and speech, disorientation and the induction of states of confusion or even paranoia. In some cases, dissociative effects also appear, such as hallucinations or derealization; and it is convenient not to forget one of its most dangerous effects: its ability to trigger psychotic breaks in people genetically predisposed to it.

While other widely used drugs are used primarily in social contexts, by comparison characteristics of cannabis favor that this substance be consumed alone or in very small groups, maintaining a passive attitude.

On the other hand, although cannabis is not as addictive as other illegal drugs, It has been seen that it is capable of generating dependency, something to which adolescents and young adults, primary users of marijuana, are especially vulnerable.

Also known as Ecstasy or Molly, this drug is linked to recreational contexts and specifically to electronic music events, although its popularity is such that it overflowed that kind of scene a long time ago. In fact, it is one of the drugs most consumed by young people during the weekends, usually while they are socializing.

The effects of MDMA, which appear 45 minutes after ingesting the dose, have to do with the appearance of a feeling of satisfaction and euphoria, as well as greater extraversion and desire to socialize. But beyond its effects as a stimulant drug, Ecstasy can cause very dangerous imbalances. in the ability to regulate body temperature, as well as high-risk renal complications risk.