How are drugs classified?

The drugs are substances that create alterations in the cellular connections of the central nervous system, and therefore affect behavior, also producing various alterations at the perceptual level. But how are drugs classified?

First of all, it should be noted that not all drugs have the same effects or the same nature, nor are they equally dangerous. Based on what criteria do we classify them? What type of drugs do we find? Let’s talk about all this.

How are drugs classified?

We can classify drugs based on different criteria. One of them is the effect they have on the body; in this sense, We distinguish three types of drugs: hallucinogenic, depressant and stimulant.. Let’s see what each of them consists of:

1. Hallucinogenic drugs

These are chemical compounds that affect brain connections, causing us to perceive reality in an altered way. They owe their name to the fact that can create hallucinations or abnormal perceptual experiences.

As detailed Cleveland Clinic, hallucinogens alter a person’s awareness of their surroundings. Some are artificial, while others are derived from natural compounds, such as plants and fungi.

Some of the examples of these drugs are LSD, mescaline, ecstasy (MDMA). These types of drugs are also called disruptive drugs. Because? Because they are capable of modifying psychic activity, producing a wide variety of effects on the nervous system.

According to National Institute on Drug Abusehallucinogens temporarily alter mood, thinking, and perception of reality. Additionally, the specific short-term effects of some of these drugs are:

Increased blood pressure, respiratory rate and body temperature.Loss of appetite.Dry mouth. Sleep disorders. Cross sensations or synesthesia.Spiritual experiences.Sensations of relaxation or separation from the body or the environment. Uncoordinated movements.Excessive sweat.

2. Depressant drugs

Depressant drugs are those that depress the nervous system (such as alcohol). Your intake involves a suspension or decrease in brain responsesand cause nervous stimuli to slow down.

They are drugs that “calm down” the body. In this sense, they leave the body in a state of drowsiness and total inactivity. In this group we find sedatives or hypnotics, opiates and neuroleptics. As specific examples we find cannabis, alcohol, heroin or benzodiazepines.

According to experts from Queensland’s Alcohol and Drug Support Service (ADIS), the short-term effects of this class of drugs are dizziness, poor balance and coordination, as well as slower reflexes. In large doses, they can cause drowsiness, nausea, and unconsciousness.

More generally, experts from the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggest that central nervous system depressants can generate:

Speech distortions.Lack of concentration. Confusion.Headache.Light-headedness. Dryness in the mouth.Motor and memory problems.Decreased blood pressure. Slow breathing.

3. Stimulant drugs

Finally, stimulant drugs (such as amphetamines) produce an increase in levels of disturbance, that is, nervous and motor excitement. When ingested, the person enters a state of euphoria and lack of controlwhich manifests itself in their reactions and actions.

Stimulant drugs include: amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine, nicotine, theobromine and theophylline.

Depending on the amount of the dose, whether it is high or low, stimulants produce certain effects. For a smaller portion we find:

Euphoria.Feelings of well-being.Increased heart rate. Increased alertness.Loquacity.Reduced appetite.

For a high dose we find:

Anxiety.TensionIncreased body temperature.Nausea.Tremor.Seizures.

Stimulants, like other types of drugs, can have very serious consequences for health. The most general, according to an article by StatPearlsare the following: psychosis, paranoia, anxiety, arrhythmias, hypertension, tachycardia, breathing problems, cerebrovascular events, sudden death, among others.

According to its origin/nature

Another way drugs are classified is according to its origin or nature. Thus, we find natural, synthetic and industrial drugs.

1. Natural drugs

Natural drugs are those that have not gone through any chemical intervention process. Thus, they are obtained from nature itself. To this classification belong: marijuana, opium, coca leaf, peyote, hallucinogenic mushrooms and tobacco.

2. Synthetic drugs

For their part, synthetic drugs They are obtained from different chemical processes, which are necessary to refine its composition and degree of purity. Thus, after these processes, they can now be marketed and distributed. For example, amphetamines, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines, ecstasy, ketamine.

3. Industrial drugs

Finally, industrial drugs are formed through industrial waste; Its high chemical composition, when inhaled, generates hallucinogenic effects in people. An example of these drugs is industrial glue..

According to the law

Another way how drugs are classified is based on their legality (that is, according to the legislation of each country). According to this criterion we find two types of drugs:

1. Legal drugs

Legal drugs are the psychoactive substances that are allowed. This means that its use is not penalized by law. However, in each country the legality of drugs varies; Furthermore, a drug may be legal for consumption, but not for sale, for example.

The legality of drugs does not correspond to their danger; This means that there are legal drugs whose abuse is highly dangerous and harmful to health. Within this group of drugs we find:

Alcohol.Nicotine.Caffeine.Theobromine and theophylline.

2. Illegal drugs

In the case of illegal drugs, we are talking about those psychoactive substances, which Its use is not allowed by the law of the country. It may happen that its own consumption is allowed in certain circumstances, but that its sale is penalized. The most commonly consumed illegal drugs are:

Marijuana.Hashish.Cocaine.MDMA.Phenicylidine or PCP.Heroin.Popper.Halucinogenic mushrooms.

Another less used classification

As we see, there are different ways to classify drugs. In fact, we find even more classifications; For example, the “popular” classification, through which drugs are classified as soft or hard.

Soft drugs are those that are more socially accepted (perceived as less harmful). On the other hand, hard drugs are perceived to have a greater social and health impact, since their consumption is more dangerous in the short term.

As an example of soft drugs we find tobaccoalcohol or marijuana, and as hard drugs, we find heroin, morphine or amphetamines, among others.

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