A few days ago, 86 people, including Telugu film actress Hema tested positive for narcotics after they were arrested from a Bengaluru farmhouse where a rave party was held. The accused were booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and other provisions of the IPC. Police seized MDMA (Ecstacy) pills, MDMA crystals, hydro cannabis, cocaine and more after the raid. In many party settings, people are found to be using psychotropic drugs to enhance mood, alter perception, or experience euphoria. However, it's dangerous and also illegal. Here's how they can affect you:
MDMA: MDMA aka 'methylene-dioxy-meth-amphetamine' is commonly known as ecstacy or Molly. It is a synthetic drug that partygoers use to alter mood and perception. However, it can also cause severe dehydration, hyperthermia, and serotonin syndrome (due to excessive accumulation of the neurotransmitter serotonin), especially when used in high doses or with other substances.
Cocaine: It is used at parties to experience euphoria, increased energy, and confidence. However, cocaine use can lead to cardiovascular problems like increased and irregular heart rate, blood pressure, high body temperature, breathing issues, depression, anxiety and paranoia.
LSD: Partygoers depend on it to experience visual hallucinations, but it can cause unpredictably dangerous reactions like disorientation, poor coordination, depression, panic attacks, psychosis, and flashbacks.
Ketamine: Like the other drugs, ketamine can also induce hallucinations, dizziness, vomiting, blurred vision, dissociation, impaired coordination skills, shallow breathing and hypertension.
GHB aka Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate, Psychedelic Mushrooms aka Psilocybin and hydro cannabis are some of the other dangerous psychotropic drugs that can lead to a range of adverse effects, especially for those who have existing health conditions. Those who recognise signs of addiction to these substances should take timely medical intervention including therapy, medication and help from support groups.
(With PTI inputs)
