Drug Overdose

Different groups of recreational drugs have a varying overdose level. This article will look at overdose specifications of drugs classified under Legal, Semi-Legal and Illegal in a bid to compare the danger factor involved in recreational use of these popular substances.

Before we delve into the specific dangers of drugs it should be noted that all drugs listed should not be used under pregnancy or similarly in the presence of a mental condition.

Legal : LSA (Natural Lysergic Acid)
Legal : Ephedra Extract
Legal : Asarone
Legal : Salvia Divinorum
Semi-Legal : Magic Mushrooms
Semi-Legal : DMT (Di-Methyl Tryptamine)
Semi-Legal : Mescaline
Illegal : Marijuana
Illegal : Cocaine
Illegal : Heroin
Illegal : Methamphetamine
Illegal : LSD
Illegal : Ecstacy

Legal : LSA (Natural Lysergic Acid)
LSA (Natural Lysergic Acid) is the active constituent of the morning glory or baby woodrose seeds. LSA is a hallucinogenic derived from seeds and also sold as an extract. It is the natural form of the well known LSD. It is considered a safe legal drug and of course is not dangerous. Recreational dose is 4-8 seeds. The extract is usually in pill form during which a dosage is provided. No fatal overdose has ever occurred. Pregnant women or people with a history of liver disorders should not take lsa.

Legal : Ephedra Extract
Ephedrine is the active constituent of Ephedra Extract. Epedrine is considered by many people the natural form of Methamphetamine and is commonly used to manufacture meth in the lab because it is chemically related. Recreational dose is 10-100 mg. Overdose anything above 100mg is considered dangerous and there has been a case of ephedrine related death from 125 mg. Should not be combined with other recreational drugs. symptoms include dehydration and irregular heartbeat.

Legal : Asarone
Asarone is the active constituent of the calamus plant. Chemically related to Mescaline and Amphetamines and found in several types of plants. It is a combined sedative, stimulant and hallucinogen. Recreational dose can vary from person to person usually 40 to 340 milligrams on an empty stomach. There are no recorded incidents of overdose with Asarone extract or pills.

Legal : Salvia Divinorum
The active constituent of salvia is salvinorin. Salvia divinorum is the sage plant commonly used by holy men and shamans for their religious purposes. It is a very popular recreational drug because it is legal. it is usually smoked through a pipe. Recreational dose can be 1-2 grams inhaled through a pipe.
no recorded incidents of overdose. Excessive quantities do not cause harm.

Semi-Legal : Magic Mushrooms
The active constituent of mushrooms can vary from one mushroom to the other. Magic mushrooms are psychoactives found in many different types, they are taken orally in their natural dried form. Recreational dose can vary from one to the other but can by typically 1-2 grams of dried mushroom. No fatal overdoses ever reported with mushrooms. if the dosage is exceeded it can induce a sick feeling in the stomach.

Semi-Legal : DMT (Di-Methyl Tryptamine)
DMT is the active constituent as extracted from various different plants. Di-Methyl-Tryptamine has been said to be one of the most powerful hallucinogens in the world. It has not received any media attention and so is not commonly heard of. In its pure form it gives very powerful visual hallucinations. The vapors of this orange crystalline substance are inhaled to achieve the effect. Recreational dose is 25 mg. No recorded case of overdose. Very little information is available o this chemical and so the danger factor cannot be properly ascertained.

Semi-Legal : Mescaline
The active constituent of the san pedro or the peyote cactus.
Mescaline, a psychoactive, is found in different types of cacti, it is usually manufactured into the form of mescaline chloride for which the dosages below apply. The law is ambigious as related to the natural cactus source classifying this chemical a Semi-Legal Drug. One of the effects of mescaline is to cause synesthesia where color is heard and sound is seen. The recreational dose varies from 200-300 mg or 6 peyote buttons. Overdose is unlikely unless combined with other drugs. In extreme cases could cause a bad experience which should be treated psychologically.

Illegal : Marijuana
Active Constituent THC found in the bud of the cannabis/sativa plant. Marijuana buds (flowers) in its plant form are smoked for a High effect generated by the THC content in the plant, its levels in genetically modified crops are higher than in normal plants. The effect of marijuana is as a depressant on the Central Nervous system. The recreational dose of THC can vary widely from person to person. No danger of overdose as recorded by statistics. A large quantitiy can cause the user to feel tired as a large injested amount of hashish can cause temporary sickness in the stomach.

Illegal : Cocaine
Cocaine is the active constituent of the Coca plant. It is a white crystalline solid extracted from the coca plant and is used as a stimulant usually by the snorting of the white powder through the nose. It is an extremely addictive drug. Recreational dose is 25-100 mg. Overdose varies from person to person. Symptoms are a rise in body temperature, seizures, heart attack, brain hemorrage, kidney failure, stroke, repeated convulsions, tremors, delirium.

Illegal : Heroin
Heroin is an active constituent derved from the Opium plant. Heroin is an opiate usually a white or off white powder than can be snorted, smoked or injected into a vein. It is extremely addictive and also a pain killer. It has a depressant effect on the central nervous system. Recreational dose starts at one grain 60 mg and upwards to compensate for addiction. Overdose is 200 to 500 mg.
Symptoms are muscle spasticity, slow, labored, shallow and stopped breathing, pinpoint pupils, dry mouth, cold and clammy skin, tongue discoloration, bluish colored fingernails and lips, stomach and intestinal spasms, constipation ,weak pulse, low blood pressure, drowsiness, disorientation, coma , delirium.

Illegal : Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is the active form of this synthetically manufactured drug. Also known as meth and speed this synthetic stimulant is extremely powerful and addictive form of amphetamines. Also called methedrine as supplied by pharmacies. Mild forms of amphetamines are prescribed for treatment of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). Usually taken in pill form but also injected and snorted. Recreational dose can be as little as 10 mg
Overdose at 50 mg. Symptoms are sudden increase in blood pressure, rise in body temperature, sweating, spots in vision, chances of heart attack , stroke or coma, high fever, convulsions, cardiovascular collapse.

Illegal : LSD
LSD (Synthetic Lysergic Acid) is the manufactured active constituent of it's natural form. LSD is a powerful hallucinogenic which changes the way sensory information is interpreted by the brain. It can be manufactured in the laboratory using its precursor LSA. its safest form is in a tab. Recreational dose one tab. Does not cause any physical damage in large quantities
Should not be taken by anyone who is emotionally depressed.

Illegal : Ecstacy
MDMA is the active constituent of ecstacy. This is a synthesized drug that has gained popularity with the young culture, it is considered as a party drug though it is not used with alchohol as that is thought to diminish its effectiveness. it is taken orally in the form of pills.
Recreational dose is 1 pill or 100mg of MDMA. There is no regulation over production and anything above 100mg can cause an overdose. Symptoms are rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure,faintness, cramping, panic attacks, loss of consciousness, seizures, hyperthermia, muscle breakdown, stroke, kidney and cardiovascular failure, brain damage.