Medicines are widely used by the people all over the world. They are the lifelines to many people. Any medicine we use is a pharmaceutical product, which is technically termed as “drug”. Other than medicine, alcohol is also a drug. Many other compounds also come under the category of drugs.
What exactly is a drug? To be defined properly, a drug is a chemical or organic substance which is used to treat a medical condition. Or, some define drugs as the chemicals which alter the way a person’s body functions. There are a large variety of drugs available for different purposes. Some are “legal” and some are “illegal”. Let us know more about the legal drugs.
What Are Legal Drugs?
The legal drugs are also called “legal intoxicants”. They are well known by the name “legal highs”. The word legal when adjoined to any other word automatically links certain governmental laws and principles. Thus, the legal word adjoined with the drugs here links the laws of the government imposed on drugs. In simple words, a legal drug is the intoxicating drug which is completely legal or not commonly prohibited by the drug laws. For instance, medicines are legal drugs. They are acceptable as they abide by the drug laws and thus doctors have the liberty to prescribe them. The medical stores as well have the liberty to sell them and people can buy them without any doubt.
Now you understand what are the legal drugs? On the contrary, illegal drugs are those which do not abide by the drug laws and are not allowed to be sold or prescribed. We shall be discussing more about illegal drugs later on. Let us focus on the legal ones first.
Legal Drugs Definition
A common definition of a legal drug is “a chemical substance or intoxicant which is not prohibited by the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs”. The legal drugs have the permission of being sold all over the world in various stores and through various suppliers. Studies reveal that alcohol is the most widely consumed intoxicant or the legal drug. Apart from this, medicines and tobacco have also been noted as legal drugs.
Types of Legal Drugs
To become aware of the legal drugs exactly, we need to study the categories first. Have a look!
- Stimulants
These drugs stimulate the body functions, due to which the activity of the body and the brain speeds up. Generally, they are used to boost up the person and fill him/her with the high spirits. The person feels energised and active after having these stimulants. Check out some examples:
- Caffeine: it is a mild stimulant and is widely used in beverages such as tea, coffee, soft drinks and other carbonated drinks. It is also a part of some chocolates and no doubt, it fills you with energy instantly. Am I right?
- Nicotine: you must be aware of this stimulant as well. It is most common in tobacco products. In various countries, there is an age barrier on buying the cigarettes. You will be amazed to know that the only country in which tobacco is completely prohibited is Bhutan.
- Ephedrine: this is another stimulant derived from the plant, ephedra. The herbal supplements of the ephedrine and ephedra have been banned. However, it is legal in some parts of the world.
- Betel: it is the commonly chewed nut in Asia. We use it in “Paan”.
- Psychoactive Legal drugs or Hallucinogens
These drugs take control of the mood swings in a person. The people who take the hallucinogens hallucinate. They observe the things that are actually not there and they hear what is never said. They lose their ability to think and are occupied by the strange thoughts. Salvia is a legal drug which is a hallucinogen, and has effect up to several minutes.
The Hawaiian baby wood rose, also known as the elephant creeper, contains the alkaloids.
The Peruvian Torch cactus contains the chemical “mescaline”. Pure mescaline is banned in many parts of the world, but in the form of the cactus, it is legal. Many states use it for religious purposes.
Blue Egyptian Water Lily has the capacity to induce stimulation in the various mental functions. There is enhanced visual perception and mild closed-eye visuals.
Fly Agaric is a mushroom which is easily distinguished by the red cap with white polka dots. It has been found to produce hallucinations.
- Depressants
Some drugs take the person down and make him feel low. Such drugs are termed as depressant drugs. These drugs are used in medical conditions where the patient is too aggressive or too anxious. Taking the depressants in such a case slows down the person’s activity and people feel relaxed. They feel drowsy and sleepy. They do not feel stressed and their head feels light. Alcohol is the most popular depressant which is a legal drug. It contains ethanol, which is psychoactive in nature.
Diethyl ether is a solvent which is used in the medical world as anaesthesia and other things. It has more potential than the alcohol, and is widely used in the laboratories and chemical industry.
Inhalants are common depressants which have powerful psychoactive effects. The effects last for a short period of time. They are sniffed or huffed.
- Pain killers
Some legal drugs find use in tackling the pain people experience. They block the nerve impulses and relieve you of the terrible pain. Some examples are aspirin and heroin.
Difference between Legal and Illegal Drugs
Legal drugs are acceptable whereas the illegal drugs are not acceptable. Their use is not allowed by the government and consumption can lead to imprisonment by the law court. However, studies have revealed that many legal drugs have been noticed to cause loss of life. For example, smoking and drinking alcohol. Let us learn a little more about the differences.
| Legal drugs | Illegal Drugs |
| These intoxicants abide by the laws imposed universally on drugs | These drugs are outlawed |
| They are easily available in the market | They are not easily available as their sale is not supported by the government. Any sort of dealing or possession causes the dealer to pay huge amount of taxes and penalties. |
| Doctor can prescribe them, medical stores can sell them and common people can buy them | Doctors do not prescribe such drugs. Also, these are not kept at medical stores and people do not buy these. It is completely illegal to consume them. Punishment can be imprisonment. |
| These medicines should be taken in doses, and then only they are termed as legal. | Even a slight consumption is offensive. |
| Some examples are coffee, tobacco, alcohol etc. | Some examples are Cannabis, cocaine, heroin, LSD etc. |
| Legal drugs such as tobacco and alcohol have a lethal effect on health. They are more harmful than the illegal drugs, and their use is still supported. | Some illegal drugs were once legal in many countries. But, gradually, they turned into illegal drugs. |
| The side effects of these drugs are known | The effects are subjective according to the quantities. |
| You should know the legal drugs to make the best use of them in medical conditions. | One should know the illegal drugs so that he/she can avoid the consumption and stay safe on the legal front. |
Legal Recreational Drugs
Recreational drugs are those drugs which have the psychoactive element in them and the power to change the mental state of a person through a variety of changes in the central nervous system. These are known to create positive emotions and feelings among people. These drugs are often called “high” and are socially acceptable. They are taken for feeling of pleasure, joy and leisure purposes. They may result into addiction or any other health problem.
Some examples are as follows:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Caffeine
Why do people take these legal recreational drugs? What are the conditions people face and opt for this? This may be because of the peer pressure or influence. Or, they wish to try something new. They wish to explore and experiment. Their curiosity levels rise and hence, they are moved to take these drugs. They may derive some pleasure or feeling of relaxation through these drugs. They may also feel confident and not left behind. Many people use recreational drugs to relieve themselves of the stress and emotional fatigue they have. As soon as they consume these, they feel relaxed as if their problems evade. They enjoy the effects and eventually develop a habit.
As all the drugs when exceeded in doses have a detrimental effect upon the health, the legal recreational drugs do not lag behind here. Some impacts are unpredictable and can vary from person to person.
Legal Drugs List
As the educated and well aware citizens of the country, we should know what is wrong and what is right. We should be able to distinguish between the legal and illegal drugs. The lists are available online and you can cross check your drug and check whether it comes under legal category or illegal category.
Here is the list we have for you. Have a look, please. Some might be known to you.
- Caffeine
- Ritalin
- Adder all
- Valium
- Fentanyl
- Morphine
- Seconal
- Oxycontin
- Alcohol
- Nicotine
- Acetaminophen
- K2 or “spice”
- Bitter Orange or Synephrine
- Stamina Rx
- Dextromethorphan (also known as DMX)
- Salvia
- Helium
- Amphetamine
- Methadone
- Ketamine
- Xanax
- Hydrocodone
- Sleeping pills
- Barbiturates
- Viagra
- Chantix
- Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)
- Triazolam (Halcion)
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- Atomoxetine
- Mefoquine
- Paroxetine
- Fluoxetine
- Varenicline
And there are many more. You can easily find the list of legal drugs which are prescribed by the doctors to their patients. Not just the prescribed ones, addictive drugs are also categorised under the legal drug topic. It is a long list, and each day, with advancement in science and technology, new medicines and drugs keep on adding. You need to stay updated and become a man of science. Always check upon what you are consuming and the doses. The legal drugs are life threatening when taken above the critical dose point. Also, it is crucial to have the knowledge of the illegal drugs so that, you can easily distinguish between them.
Best Legal Drugs
The word “best” tags the legal drugs available as the most suitable and trustable for the welfare of the people. With such a wide range of legal drugs available in the market, we get confused on what to purchase. When we talk of the legal drugs, we expect them to be good for us, good for our body and the most effective they could be. Drugs extracted from plants are most preferred by the people than the chemically synthesised ones.
As you must know that the most common legal drugs widely used are alcohol, tobacco and marijuana. But, these are not the best. We have the selected content for you, but just remember that the doses you use play a significant role. Also, some people are allergic to some drugs. Thus, you cannot judge these legal drugs as best from one point of view. Also, research a little more about these drugs for your own sake, because we believe that you should be completely aware about what is being conveyed to you.
The drug world keeps on updating. Make sure that you match up with the pace!
- Best legal Stimulants
- Ephedra sinica
It has been traditionally used in the Chinese culture since 6000 years. The key ingredient is ephedrine and the regulation is different in different countries. Check out the legal status of ephedrine in your own land.
- Betel, Piper betle
It is a quite popular drug in the continent of Asia. The leaved are chewed and the best combination is with the areca nut that is Paan. Do you like to eat paan?
- Areca Nut
This nut is also termed as the betel nut. It is consumed majorly with the betel leaves.
- Khat, Catha edulis
It is an edible and recreational drug. The key component is cathinone, which is an amphetamine like stimulant.
- Cocoa, Theobroma Cacao
It has mild psychoactive properties, and is considered a “household high”. What we usually consume is a sugary mixture of the cocoa powder. But, this pure cocoa is completely contrasting in taste. Theobromine is the stimulant which is stronger than caffeine.
- Kola Nut
It is a fruit of the cola tree. Sounds like coke? Well, not really! The key ingredient is caffeine, which causes the CNS stimulation and mental awareness is improved. Some people report that they experience improved changes in their moods and behaviour.
- Best Legal Sedatives
- Kava, Piper methysticum
The roots of this legal drug are used to make a drink which is sedative and possesses anaesthetic properties.
- Kratom, Mitragyna speciosa
This evergreen tree has a great value in legal recreational drugs, because of its psychoactive property and benefits upon health. Overall census says that it holds the second position in ranking of the most important drugs, after salvia.
- Skullcap, Scutellaria
This is a plant of mint family, Lamiaceae. It has sedative property and used to relieve stress and anxiety.
- Opium poppy, Papaver somniferum
Opium poppy is used as a component of many illegal drugs, but as a legal drug, it is light and also available in light doses. Some specific strains of opium are used as a staple food and drunk as tea.
- Blue Lotus, Nymphaea Caerulea
This plant has mythological significance. It has a pleasant aroma and also some psychoactive properties. It is used in making tea extracts and the most expensive perfumes.
- Nelumbo nucifera
This is the sacred Indian pink lotus. It has religious value and is considered a symbol of purity. The alkaloids nuciferine and aporphine are the key components of it. The effects are just like the opium poppy, but the intensity is low. It also acts as an aphrodisiac, stimulating the sexual desires.
- Nymphaea alba (white lotus)
This is termed as the white lotus or white water lily. It has European origin, not the Egyptian origin. The flowers are used for medical purposes and have ornamental value.
- Siberian motherwort
- Lagochilus inebrians
- Best Legal psychedelics
- Magic mushrooms
They are the hallucinogenic elements and quite famous for their ability to cause visual and audible hallucinations.
- Fly Agaric
It is the substitute of the magic mushrooms and possesses psychedelic properties.
- Hawaiian Baby wood rose
It is quite famous and we already have discussed a quite bit about it before.
- Chaliponga (Diplopteris cabrerana)
- Mimosa hostiles
This legal drug has the capacity to grow in water scarce conditions. It is like a fern and has leafy branches.
- Morning Glory
The flowers of this toxic plant are life threatening, if directly ingested. You need to be extra careful while buying a legal drug made with this plant.
- Peruvian Torch Cactus
- Best legal light drugs
Marijuana and African dream root
Why Are Some Drugs Legal and Others Illegal?
On the discussion we had until now, we can conclude that drugs are classified into two kinds- legal drugs and illegal drugs. This classification on a common ground has been made on the basis of the harm and benefits of the drugs upon human health. They have been classified in accordance to the human welfare, right? But, hang on. There is a deeper truth to this categorisation.
If it has been just on the basis of benefits and harm to human, then why are some harmful drugs legal and some illegal drugs beneficial?
The classification of the drugs is highly based upon the usage. The purpose of using the drugs is the determining factor here! The government of various countries had built up certain laws against the use of drugs and thus, the liberty of using the legal drugs is also limited.
It is said that “a drug’s legality is down to the law making branch of the country”. The rigid criteria are different for different nations. Search about the one in your country! There can be cultural reason, social reasons or historical reasons. Do you know that if a substance is termed as illegal, it takes years to make that illegal into legal? Or, even this is not possible many a times. Such hard are the drug laws! Even, we are not allowed to gather information upon the illegal drugs as they may not be considered good for our knowledge.
Remember that some drugs are made legal because of the conditions. For example, you can buy morphine as a legal drug if you have the prescription from the doctor. But, if you buy it in secrecy and from a street shady seller, then you are not doing something legal. The access to legal drugs and the dose defines its potential to be termed as a legal drug.
Most Dangerous Legal Drugs
As we told you that the legality is conditional, there are many drugs which are as scary as the illegal drugs. But, still they have been categorised under the legal drug category.
When we are talking of the antidepressants, the drugs “Pristiq”, “Paxil” and “Prozac” are the most dangerous legal drugs. These cause dangerous health issues which pose a threat to life and are a potential disgrace to the society. Mefoquine is a legal drug used for curing malaria, but has been closely associated with violence and aggressive behaviour.
The most commonly known dangerous legal drugs are alcohol, tobacco and opiate painkillers. A high dose can snatch away your life from you. Steroids are also considered very harmful for the body. Even, caffeine addiction can prove to be harmful for your body with the outcome as insomnia, anxiety and running heart rate.
Precaution while using legal drugs
Drugs are the chemical compounds, ultimately. They do not come naturally. And, you may require taking drugs many a times. The legal drugs are acceptable and used by the whole population. While taking these legal drugs, you need to take care of certain guidelines. Take a look!
- The prescription from a doctor is a must for the correct legal drug.
- You need to gather information about your body and the response it may give after consuming the legal drug.
- You may also need to collect information on the contents and ingredients of the legal drug.
- Please take a special note of the dose.
- Doses are different for different age groups and genders. Make sure you know what is right for you.
- Consult a pharmacist, chemist or the doctor to clear your doubts.
- Be known of your allergies.
- Pregnant women are usually not prescribed many drugs. Follow your doctor’s advice.
- The very young and the very old people have different responses to the legal drugs. Check yours!
- If you see some unexpected changes in your body after consuming the drug, immediately consult your doctor. Obtain medical advice as soon as possible.
Be aware and stay safe!
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