Drug Facts
Below are common questions or statements heard about drugs or drug use; some of which are not true.
The facts are based on scientific evidence and are provided to answer the questions and clear up common misconceptions.
If a drug is in pill form, is it probably safe?
Not necessarily. Drugs approved by the FDA and made by an approved drug maker are safe. However, many counterfeit medicines exist. There are counterfeits of prescription drugs made by unlicensed pharmacies, and many illegal sources create pills that are intentionally mislabeled (fentanyl as oxycodone for example). Consider the source always!
Marijuana is not addictive.
Any psychoactive drug that a person uses without control despite negative consequences can be addictive. About 15% of the people who use cannabis heavily develop a cannabis use disorder.
Can LSD trigger mental illness?
LSD causes very intense disruption of normal thinking and perception that can last for many hours. It can make the symptoms of people with serious mental illness like schizophrenia more intense for a period of time. However, there is not scientific evidence that it triggers a life-long mental illness.
Drugs from herbal products are more “natural” and better for you.
There are many psychoactive drugs in plants; one example is caffeine. However, plants have many molecules in them that can contribute to their beneficial or harmful effects. In addition, herbal products can be sold on the internet without proof that they are safe or effective, and sometimes are supplemented with unknown amounts of prescription medication that is stronger.
What is the most addictive drug?
For an individual, it is the one that the person uses to excess. All drugs we know to be addictive activate the dopamine system to some extent, although some do so more than others.
People often use the percent of users who become addicted as a metric, but this is affected by how available the drug is (nicotine is way more available than cocaine for example).
Is there an “addictive personality?”
Many characteristics contribute to someone’s vulnerability to substance use and abuse. Genetics, history of physical abuse, environment, where he or she lives, age at which the person started using drugs, and social group all influence this vulnerability. There is evidence that individuals who are impulsive and sensation seeking may be more vulnerable, but the reason is unclear. It could be that the person was inclined to try drugs at an early age, or that the drugs are more appealing to that individual.