5 Most Addictive Substances

Some of these substances are very common and even legal all over the world. But all these substances are very dangerous and addictive for people. If you want to find out what these substances are and how they affect your body and brain, you should read this article. Let’s go.

1. Cocaine
Cocaine is an alkaloid found in plants of the genus Erythroxylum. It acts as an insecticide and protects shrubs from insects. Cocaine has a powerful stimulating effect on the central nervous system, causing great euphoria. Cocaine blocks dopamine reuptake system by making it produce more and more leading to incredible pleasure. However, cocaine euphoria doesn’t last forever and when it wears off, the person becomes depressed. Other side effects include fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia.

Cocaine is dangerous for the cardiovascular system. It causes powerful cramps that can lead to brain hemorrhage, disrupt the heart and other organ functions. Another negative effect of this drug is acute psychosis, in which a person can’t control him/herself. If you ever heard that cocaine is not addictive, you should know that this is a lie.

2. Heroin
Heroin is an opioid drug which causes a strong mental and physical dependence. This is due to the fact that when the drug is injected, it quickly enters the brain and contributes to increased dopamine production. Experiments on animals showed an increased dopamine level by 200%.

In addition to severe withdrawal symptoms such as pain, anxiety, and cramps, heroin intake leads to severe dependence. Withdrawal usually begins 4-24 hours after taking the last dose. Moreover, the body quickly develops a tolerance for heroin and a person needs to increase the dose every time. Quitting the use of this drug usually requires heroin treatment that helps with the strong withdrawal symptoms people go through.

Heroin addicts often die from heart attacks and strokes, since this drug affects the cardiovascular system. Another cause of heroin death is body exhaustion caused by constant CNS stimulation. Experts assigned this drug three points out of three possible according to the degree of addiction.

3. Nicotine
Nicotine is an alkaloid, like a cocaine, which performs the function of fighting insects. This main component of tobacco is also addictive. Nicotine is rapidly absorbed by the lungs and enters the brain. It increases the activity of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which leads to the release of adrenaline. This temporarily stimulates various body systems and a person feels more energetic and active. Nicotine is quite toxic and its long-term intake causes cancer, ischemia, and other severe diseases. WHO claims that up to 50% of smoker’s deaths are caused by this bad habit.

4. Barbiturates
Hypnotics based on barbituric acid have a depressing effect on the central nervous system. Depending on the dosage, medications can have a mild relaxing effect or lead to a coma. Barbiturates stimulate inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors, as a result of which slows down impulse transmission to the central nervous system. This leads to muscle relaxation, calming, and eliminates anxiety. Moreover, if cocaine and heroin are illegal, then these drugs have been relatively affordable for a long time, which increases their danger.

5. Alcohol
Absolutely legal in most countries, alcoholic beverages are called the most dangerous drug in the world. They cause addiction very quickly. Animal studies have shown that alcohol increases dopamine levels by 40–360%. Alcohol acts on gamma-aminobutyric acid, enhancing its effect, that’s why the movements and speech of drunk people slows down.

With long-term use of alcohol, the brain becomes less susceptible to alcohol and more susceptible to glutamate. This increases excitability, leading to symptoms of withdrawal symptoms such as cramps and anxiety. According to WHO, 3.3 million people die every year in the world from alcohol consumption.