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WARNING: You may learn something. Be careful which card you pick. This is educational. Also, take this sword you might need it.
hello. this page is about drug types - all drugs belong to a type. just have fun and click the cards. message choices if you need help.
stimulants.
stim-yoo-luhnts: when people talk about “uppers” or needing a boost of energy, they’re usually referring to stimulant drugs. Stimulants speed up the way your brain and body work - almost like pressing the fast-forward button on your system. They can increase alertness, energy, and focus, but they also put extra strain on the body. They don’t just “wake you up.” Stimulants affect mood, heart rate, concentration, and behaviour. A person might feel more confident and talkative, or they might feel restless and anxious. Common stimulants include: • Cocaine • Amphetamines (such as speed) • MDMA (often called ecstasy, though it has mixed effects) • Caffeine (in drinks like coffee and energy drinks) What they look like: • Cocaine is usually a white powder • Amphetamines can be powder, paste, or pills • MDMA often comes as tablets or crystals • Caffeine is found in drinks or tablets How they’re taken: • Swallowed (pills or drinks) • Snorted (powders) • Sometimes smoked or injected (higher risk) Why people use them: People use stimulants for different reasons. Some want to feel more awake or energetic, while others use them in social settings or to enhance performance. Some people say stimulants can make them feel: • More alert and focused • Confident or sociable • Energised or motivated However, effects can vary depending on the person, dose, and environment. What feels good at first can quickly become uncomfortable. Risks Stimulants place stress on the brain and body, especially the heart. Possible effects include: • Increased heart rate and blood pressure • Anxiety, agitation, or panic • Trouble sleeping • Overheating or dehydration Higher doses or repeated use increase risks. Other risks include: • Poor judgment or risky behaviour • Crashes or low mood after effects wear off • Dependence or addiction over time Mental health concerns Because stimulants affect mood and brain chemistry, they can impact mental health. For example, they may: • Increase anxiety or irritability • Trigger panic attacks • Lead to paranoia or extreme stress • Contribute to low mood after use REMEMBER: Not everyone reacts the same way. What feels helpful or enjoyable for one person could feel overwhelming or harmful for another. Harm reduction If stimulants are around, some ways to reduce risks: Start low – take it slow Crush - Dab - Wait Don’t mix substances – combining drugs (especially with alcohol) increases danger. Take breaks – repeated use in a short time increases strain on the body. Stay hydrated – drink water, but not excessively. Eat and rest – stimulants can reduce appetite and sleep, which affects recovery. Know your limits – higher doses increase risks quickly. Stay with trusted people – others can help if something feels wrong. Know when to get help – if someone has chest pain, is overheating, or shows severe distress, stay calm, remain with them, offer reassurance, and seek medical attention immediately.
De-press-ants: Depressant drugs slow down your brain and body, like having low battery on your phone and nowhere to charge it. They don’t necessarily make you sad—think of them as turning the volume down on your nervous system. You might feel calm, relaxed, sleepy, or less anxious. Also called: Downers Common depressants include: • Alcohol – yep, the most normalised one • Benzodiazepines (benzos) – like Valium What they look like: • Benzos usually come as pills • Alcohol is a liquid How they’re taken: • Swallowed orally Why people use them People use depressants because they feel good at first. Stress melts away, Social anxiety feels easier. You feel relaxed, loose, or numb. For someone dealing with pressure, anxiety, or too many emotions, that “off switch” can feel like relief. It can give a sense of calm in a chaotic moment. Risks Depressants don’t just chill you out—they slow essential functions like breathing, heart rate, and reaction time. Some effects can include: • Slurred speech • Bad coordination • Memory gaps – blackouts are common with alcohol • Poor judgment – decisions you wouldn’t make sober In higher doses: • Breathing can slow too much • Loss of consciousness • Overdose, especially when mixed with other drugs Mixing = dangerous Mixing depressants (like alcohol + Xanax) stacks their effects. That’s how people accidentally stop breathing. Many overdoses aren’t about “too much”—they’re “too many things together.” Dependence sneaks up fast! Depressants can be addictive, physically and mentally. • Your body can start relying on them to feel “normal” • Withdrawal can be intense and even dangerous • Quitting suddenly can cause seizures or serious health issues Why it matters Depressants are often treated as “not that serious,” especially alcohol. But they’re some of the most misused and underestimated substances. Knowing how they work doesn’t make you boring—it makes you safer, smarter, and more in control of your choices! Harm reduction Here’s how to stay safer if depressants are around: Don’t mix – stick to only using one drug , this lowers the risk of overdose. If drinking alcohol stick to the lower percentage drinks Go slow – pills can hit later than expected. Give your body time between doses. If drinking alcohol, pace yourself, have a soft drink between each alcoholic drink Eat and hydrate – an empty stomach makes depressants hit harder. Drink water and eat carbs. Know what you’re taking – street pills or shared prescriptions can be stronger, mislabelled, or contaminated. If possible, get them tested. Don’t use alone – someone nearby can notice warning signs and get help.
depressants.
oh-pee-ates / oh-pee-ooids: Opiates and opioids are drugs that slow down your body and dull pain. They can make you feel relaxed, numb, or euphoric, but they also slow breathing and heart rate, which can be very dangerous. Also called: Painkillers, Smack, Heroin, Opioids Common types include: • Heroin • Prescription opioids – like codeine and morphine • Fentanyl – this is very strong What they look like: • Pills, powders, or liquids How they’re taken: • Swallowed, snorted, smoked, or injected Why people use them People take opioids for different reasons: • To relieve pain • To feel relaxed or euphoric • To escape stress, anxiety, or emotional pain At first, opioids can feel pleasant and calming, but the body quickly builds tolerance, which can make use risky fast. Effects Opiates affect the brain and body in ways that can feel good but also dangerous: • Relaxation and numbness • Pain relief • Warm, happy or euphoric feelings • Slowed breathing • Sleepiness Some people feel very calm, but opioids can also make you drowsy, dizzy, or disconnected from reality. Risks Opiates are highly risky, especially when mixed with other drugs or alcohol. Short-term risks: • Drowsiness or confusion • Slurred speech • Nausea or vomiting • Itching or sweating • Slow breathing – can be life-threatening Higher doses or frequent use: • Severe breathing problems – can stop your body from getting oxygen • Overdose – which can be fatal • Loss of consciousness • Dependence – your body starts needing opioids to feel normal Mixing = very dangerous Combining opioids with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other depressants can dramatically increase the risk of overdose. Even a normal dose can become fatal. Dependence and withdrawal Opiates can be physically and mentally addictive: • Tolerance builds fast – you need more to feel the same effect • Stopping suddenly can cause severe withdrawal – sweating, nausea, vomiting, shaking, or anxiety • Withdrawal can feel intense Harm reduction If opioids are around, ways to help to reduce risk: Don’t mix – opioids + depressants or alcohol is extremely risky – higher risk of overdosing Start small – always take the lowest dose possible Use with someone you trust – if anything goes wrong, help can be called immediately Have naloxone nearby – a life-saving overdose reversal kit Take breaks – frequent use increases tolerance and dependence
opiates.
benzos.
ben-zoh-zzz like depressants but mostly in a pill. Some people put it into a drink called "lean" If you’ve been prescribed benzodiazepines, take them exactly how you’ve been advised to by your doctor. Avoid mixing with other drugs, especially alcohol. This increases risk of overdose. The best way to stay safe from ‘street benzos’ is to avoid them completely. You might not always know that the benzos you are taking are fake. If you got your benzos from the dark web, social media, or from a friend, be CAREFUL when taking them. Have them tested through wedinos! Try not to take benzodiazepines for more than 4 weeks unless you have been advised to by a doctor. Don’t stop taking them suddenly. This can cause some nasty withdrawal symptoms and can even be dangerous. If you want to stop or reduce, it’s important to seek support from a medical professional. Benzos can cause drowsiness and sleepiness. So if using, it’s best to avoid driving or doing any activities while you are using them. You could really hurt yourself or someone else.
hallucinogens.
ha-loo-sin-oh-jens: when people say "trippy" or "far out" they are usually speaking about mushrooms. Hallucinogenic drugs change how your brain perceives reality—almost like someone temporarily adjusting the brightness, sound, and filters of your mind. Colours might look more vivid, patterns may appear where there weren’t any before, and time can feel slower, faster, or completely strange. They don’t just make people “see things.” Hallucinogens mainly alter perception, mood, thoughts, and sensory experiences. A person might feel deeply connected to music or nature, or they might feel confused and overwhelmed. Common hallucinogens include: • LSD – often called “acid” • Psilocybin – the active substance in “magic mushrooms” What they look like: • LSD usually comes on small paper tabs called blotters • Psilocybin mushrooms look like dried mushrooms • DMT is often a powder or crystal How they’re taken: • Swallowed (tabs or mushrooms), some other hallucinogenic drugs can be smoked Why people use them: People use hallucinogens for lots of different reasons. Some are curious about the unusual experiences they can create, while others are interested in the way psychedelics can affect thoughts and emotions. Some people say hallucinogens can make them feel: • More connected to music, art, or nature • Deeply thoughtful or introspective • Emotionally open/reflective However, the experience can change a lot depending on the person’s mood, mental state, and environment. What someone expects going in can strongly influence what they feel. Risks Hallucinogens affect the brain in powerful ways, and experiences can sometimes become uncomfortable and/or frightening. Possible effects include: • Confusion or disorientation • Intense anxiety or panic • Distorted perception of time and space • Trouble telling what is real These experiences are called “bad trips.” During them, a person may feel trapped in frightening thoughts or sensations. Other risks include: • Poor judgment or risky behaviour while confused • Accidents because surroundings feel different or unreal • Lingering anxiety after the experience ends Some people may also experience flashbacks, where parts of the experience briefly return days or weeks later. Mental health concerns Hallucinogens strongly affect thoughts and emotions, which means they can sometimes make existing mental health problems worse. For example, they may: • Intensify anxiety or depression • Trigger panic attacks • Bring up overwhelming memories or emotions REMEMBER, Not everyone reacts the same way, and what feels positive for one person could be confusing or distressing for another. Harm reduction If hallucinogens are around, some ways to reduce risks: Don’t mix substances – combining drugs can make effects unpredictable. Choose a safe environment – calm and familiar places reduce panic or confusion. Stay with trusted people – someone sober can help if things become overwhelming. Start low – some psychedelics can last many hours, and effects may take time to appear. Look after your body – eat beforehand, stay hydrated, and rest. Know when to get help – if someone becomes extremely distressed, confused, or unsafe, medical help should be sought immediately and stay with that person.
aerosols.
Aerosols Also known as: Gas, Glue, Sniffing, Huffing When inhaled, can cause you harm. Effects: Aerosols contain volatile substances, these are depressants. Depressants slow down your brain and body’s responses, similar to how alcohol makes you feel. It’s important to know that the effects can vary from person to person. Some of the effects are: Dizziness Giggles Finding it difficult to think straight Dreaminess Drunk like effects mood swings hallucinations (see things, hear things that aren’t there aggressive behaviour vomiting blackouts You will get similar effects of a hangover afterwards, such as: severe headache feeling low in mood (depressed) feeling tired Risks Confusion slurred speech mood swings aggressive behaviour hallucinations Vomiting – could choke on your own vomit Blackouts Difficulties breathing Heart attack – as it can cause your heart to go out of rhythm Swelling of the throat Slowing down your heart Sudden sniffing Death Syndrome Coma Burns/ explosions due to it being flammable Death Accidents due to unsteadiness Long-term use can: damage your muscles damage your liver kidney damage brain damage Harm reduction: There is no safe way to using and when used can cause the risk death from heart failure
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IPEDS.
Image and performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs) are substances people take to look more muscular, leaner, or improve athletic performance. These can include: •Anabolic steroids •SARMs - Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators. •Human growth hormone (HGH) •Fat burners / stimulants •Certain prescription hormones used without medical need What do they look like? IPEDs covers a range of drugs. They all look different. Anabolic steroids –Usually in a liquid form or a tablet. ‘Melanotan’ –White powder Effects: Enhance muscle size Build strength Change Body weight Can prevent sleepiness and fatigue Change appearance of skin Risks: Psychological •Mood swings •Irritability/ aggression •Anxiety Depression •Dependence (feeling like you “need” them to look good) •Body image issues can worsen instead of improve -Hormones strongly affect brain chemistry. Especially during teenage years when your brain is still developing. Heart & Blood Risks •Increased blood pressure •Higher “bad” cholesterol (LDL) •Lower “good” cholesterol (HDL) •Increased risk of heart disease later in life •Thickened blood – higher clot risk Risk of Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) through sharing paraphernalia e.g. needles Hormone System Damage In males: •Natural testosterone production shuts down •Testicle shrinkage •Infertility •Erectile dysfunction •breast tissue growth, known as Gynecomastia In females: •Deepened voice •Irregular periods •Facial and body hair growth •Fertility issues For teens: your body already produces HIGH levels of natural growth hormone and testosterone. Taking IPEDs at your age can cause: •Stunted growth -can stop height development early •Disrupted puberty Doesn’t replace “hard work”, you will still need to eat healthy and work out! Can permanently affect your hormones Can harm long-term health Fertility issues Organ Damage •Liver stress or damage -especially oral steroids & some SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators) •Kidney •Increased risk of tumours with long-term use Unknown Substances Many products which are sold online are: •Mislabelled •Contain hidden steroids •Have incorrect dosages •May be contaminated The risk is purchasing it, as you often don’t know what you’re taking. Harm reduction: Don’t share paraphernalia Attend a needle exchange to get clean works Engage in support, Did you know Barod has an IPEDs worker Attend Barods monthly IPEDS clinic Regular blood testing Ensure safe post-cycle recovery. Post-cycle therapy (PCT) is vital to restoring your body’s natural hormonal balance.