Illegal drugs include substances that affect the body and the brain of a person. They are divided into several groups, depending on the method of use, the impact on the brain, harm to health, and others. Illegal drugs are one of the most popular items on the black market, generating billions of dollars in illegal income. It is worth noting that some of the substances in some territories are legal, and the reason for this is the predictable and weak effect on the body and medicinal properties (Rengert). The effect on the person depends on various factors, namely the amount of the substance, the place of consumption, the physical characteristics, and the intake of other substances. The classification of illegal drugs includes several main groups, varying in terms of the model of influence on the human brain and body. For example, depressants slow down the speed at which signals affect the human central nervous system. It reduces the person’s ability to respond to stimuli and the speed of action. The name depressants does not mean that under their action, an individual may experience depression. It implies that the drug affects the central nervous system, and some depressants are alcohol, opioids such as heroin, and barbiturates. Stimulants speed up signals from the brain to the central nervous system and speed up reactions in the body. Usually, this type of drug causes a burst of energy, euphoria, increased appetite, heartbeat, excitement, and activity. Examples are methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy, which are also among the most common drugs sold on the streets and on the Internet. Hallucinogens affect the way a person perceives the world by changing the pattern of signal passage from the senses to the brain. The most famous example is LSD, which can cause severe hallucinations and change the way a person sees, hears, feels, and perceives oneself. The effect of all drugs on the body is harmful, causing both physical and mental disorders.
Work Cited
Rengert, George. The Geography of Illegal Drugs. Routledge, 2018.