Among the drugs used by teens and young adults when they go out to party, are ecstasy, rohypnol, GHB and ketamine. These drugs are rumored to increase stamina and produce intoxicating highs which, according to the users, can profoundly deepen the party experience. Recent science, however, is uncovering the severe types of damage that can be produced in several important areas of the brain through the use of one or several of these drugs.

Most of the times, users of these party drugs tend to experiment with a variety of combinations of these drugs, which creates an even larger problem since such combinations of these drugs, certainly with alcohol, can potentially lead to unexpected adverse reactions and even death after high doses. When the dancing and partying goes on for a while, the resulting physical exhaustion can also enhance the efficiency of some of the toxic properties and subsequent health problems.

Ecstasy

Ecstasy, or with a more scientific name MDMA, is a synthetic, psychoactive drug with hallucinogenic and amphetamine-like properties. The problems that frequent users encounter are similar to those that are experienced with the use of amphetamine or cocaine, such as physical and emotional exhaustion and depression. Ecstasy has also been linked, by recent research, to long-term damage to those parts of the brain that are responsible for thought, memory and pleasure.

Rohypnol, GHB and Ketamine

Rohypnol, GHB (gamma hydroxyl-butyrate) and ketamine are all central nervous system suppressants. In most cases, these drugs are colorless, tasteless and odorless, which means that they can easily and unnoticeably be added to drinks and ingested unknowingly by the victim. This effortless administration and the sedative effects of the drugs, is why these are also called date-rape drugs. If rohypnol gets mixed with alcohol, it can incapacitate victims and by doing so prevent them from resisting assault. Furthermore, it can even turn out to be lethal when it gets mixed with alcohol and/or other depressants.

GHB has been used for its euphoric, sedative and anabolic effects since the nineties in the United States. This drug has also been associated with sexual assault.

Ketamine is yet another central nervous system suppressant which is often abused as a date-rape drug. It is a fast-acting general sedative with hypnotic, analgesic (i.e. pain-killing) and hallucinogenic properties. In the United States and several other countries it is marketed as for use as a general anesthetic in both human and veterinary practices.