Clubbing Drugs: What They Are, Examples, and Risks

Club Drug Addiction and Abuse

Club drugs can be taken in many different ways, depending on the category of the drug itself and the form it takes. Many club drugs are consumed orally in pill or liquid form. Other club drugs, like ketamine, are snorted, as the drug can be absorbed more quickly via the nasal membranes.

Substances like methamphetamine are often dissolved and injected directly into the body. Smoking is a method used for chemicals like methamphetamine, which allows it to be absorbed through your lung tissue.

Drugs like nitrous oxide are often inhaled. Each method of use comes with a set of risks, including overdose, addiction, and other negative health effects.

Categories of Clubbing Drugs

Club drugs are categorized into several different groups based on the effect they have when used, as well as how they can be taken. These are the main drug categories for club drug examples:[2]

• Empathogens: Empathogens enhance feelings of empathy and emotional connection.[3] They are known to increase the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, resulting in heightened emotional connection and euphoria. MDMA falls into this category of club drugs.
• Hallucinogens / Psychedelics: Hallucinogens (or psychedelics) alter your perceptions and affect your mood. This can result in visual and auditory hallucinations. Hallucinogens typically interact with your serotonin receptors, which affects your sensory perception and cognition. LSD and psilocybin mushrooms are categorized as hallucinogens. Ketamine is categorized as a dissociative.
• Stimulants: Stimulants increase energy and alertness. They can also enhance your perception of music and bodily sensations. They work by increasing the release of dopamine and norepinephrine into your brain, which can also increase your heart rate. Examples of stimulants include cocaine, amphetamines (including methamphetamines), and caffeine (in high doses).
• Depressants: Depressive substances cause relaxation and sedation by slowing down your central nervous system. Specifically, they work to enhance the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA, which has a calming effect on the mind and body. GHB (or gamma-hydroxybutyric acid) and benzodiazepines (examples include Xanax or Valium) are categorized as depressants.
• Dissociatives: Dissociative drugs create feelings of detachment from yourself and your surroundings, leading to a sense of disconnection or dissociation. They affect glutamate receptors in the brain, disrupting communication between neurons and causing altered states of consciousness. Ketamine and PCP (or phencyclidine) are examples of dissociative drugs.
• Inhalants: These substances can be inhaled and act as central nervous system anesthetics, causing rapid intoxication. Examples include nitrous oxide, solvents, and aerosols.