Drug abuse has ruined the lives of thousands of people through drug abuse and overdoses. It impacts not only the people taking the drugs but their friends and families too. People are aware of many of the side effects of drugs including dependence, weight loss, high blood pressure, and more.
Far fewer people know about illegal drugs that cause seizures. People often associate seizures with neurological issues such as epilepsy, but certain drugs impact your brain chemistry and create them. Seizures can range from mild to deadly.
Learn about five illegal drugs that can lead to seizures.
1. Illegal Drugs That Cause Seizures: Cocaine
Cocaine is a stimulant that impacts the central nervous system. It’s known for causing a state of euphoria and energy. There are two types of cocaine: powder form and crack cocaine.
Cocaine can cause seizures immediately after taking it. They can occur within seconds, minutes, or hours after first taking the drug. Cocaine impacts your heart rhythm and causes heart attacks Anyone can get seizures from cocaine and not just those suffering from epilepsy or other issues.
2. Amphetamines
The most common type of illegal amphetamine is methamphetamine or meth. There are legal amphetamines available such as Adderall to help people with attention deficit disorder and other illnesses. Meth is a highly concentrated form that stimulates the brain.
Meth causes high energy, improved focus, and euphoria. Seizures are possible when taking meth, but are not a common side effect. The higher the dosage of meth in your system, the more likely you are to have a seizure.
3. Ecstasy
Ecstasy is commonly known as a party drug taken in pill form. It’s associated with extreme euphoria and energy. It became a popular rave drug in the 1990s and is still used today.
While many consider Ecstasy to be harmless, it can lead to serious problems including heart attacks, seizures, confusion, and death.
4. Marijuana
Marijuana is an illegal drug most commonly smoked or eaten. It originates from the hemp plant, but people developed strains with high amounts of THC, the high component of marijuana, as well as CBD, often used for medical purposes.
While CBD is connected to helping seizures, there are many other compounds in marijuana known to create them. In fact, people who have seizures may notice an increase after stopping marijuana.
Marijuana is one of the most common drugs found by drug sniffing dogs.
5. Heroin and Other Opiates
Heroin is a form of highly powerful opiate such as morphine used by illicit drug users. There are other more powerful opiates such as fentanyl. Heroin is often injected directly into the bloodstream. It creates relaxation and feelings of extreme euphoria.
Heroin and other opiates are highly addictive. They can cause seizures in people who are already susceptible and at higher dosages.
Stay Away from Illegal Drugs
Illegal drugs come with many problems from addiction or dangerous side effects. Illegal drugs that cause seizures are often used by drug users.
If you want to learn more about the impact of illegal drugs, then explore our site.
