Archives: Drugs
Opiates
What are they?
Opioids are any drug made from or related to the opium poppy (which sounds kind of cute right?), or those that interact with the opioid receptors in the brain (not sounding so cute here though). They slow down the messages travelling between the brain and the body – basically it means that we are a few steps behind the beat. There are legal (e.g., codeine, fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone, buprenorphine, and methadone) and illegal opioids (e.g., heroin).
Opioid medications are often swallowed in tablet form. Some synthetic opioids are found in liquid, tablet and film formations (with the film forms often dissolved under the tongue). Heroin is usually injected but can be snorted or smoked. With injecting, there is risk of contracting blood borne viruses, such as hepatitis B & C and HIV if needles are shared and the risk of infection at the injecting site.
What are the effects?
Opioids facilitate the release of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine causes pain relief and feelings of relaxation and pleasure.
- Extreme relaxation
- Drowsiness and clumsiness
- Confusion and slurred speech
- Slow breathing and heartbeat.
- Cold, clammy skin
- Slow breathing
- Blueish or ashen/greyish lips and fingertips
- Falling asleep (‘going on the nod’)
- Increased tolerance, meaning we need more to feel the same kind of high
- Constipation
- Vital organ damage (heart, brain, lungs)
- Death by respiratory depression
Overdose
If we take a large amount or have a strong batch of opioids, then it’s possible to overdose. They slow our breathing and heart rate – and can cause us to stop breathing altogether. The symptoms of an overdose on opioids will be different depending on what drug we are taking. Watch out for each other and call 000 in an emergency.
Naloxone is an over the counter drug used to temporarily reverse an overdose on opioids. It can be purchased at local pharmacies and anyone can administer it. It’s handy to have around, just in case!! It can be used as a nose spray or injected – and no, it’s not like Pulp Fiction! Even after naloxone has been used, medical attention should be sought immediately.
Mixing with other drugs
The effects of mixing opioids with other drugs – including over the counter or prescribed medications can be unpredictable and dangerous. Do not mix opioids with the following medications because it may increase the risk of overdose, and even death:
- Ketamine
- Cocaine
- Alcohol
- GHB
- Benzos
To discover more about the specific interactions between alcohol and other drugs, refer to the Australian Drug Foundation
HIV Medications
The interactions between opioids and antiretroviral medications are not well known. There’s currently no evidence to suggest that opioid use directly reduces the efficacy of antiretroviral medications. If some new research comes to light, then we’ll update this section and let you know.
We did find that Nevirapine significantly increases the symptoms of opioid withdrawals, so best to chat with a healthcare professional before quitting.
The interactions between opioids and PrEP and PEP are not well known. There’s currently no evidence to suggest that opioid use directly interacts with these medications or reduces their efficacy. We’ll keep looking and update you if any new research comes to light.
To find out about specific HIV medications and their interactions with opioids head to Liverpool HIV Drug Interactions Checker.
Hormones
There’s currently no evidence to suggest that opioid use reduces the efficacy of HRT. We’ll keep looking and update this information if something new comes to light.
Oestradiol can affect our opioid receptors and therefore how the body processes it, so it’s best to chat with a healthcare professional about whether our dosage needs to be adjusted.
Spironolactone and opioids can potentially lead to a build-up of toxicity and affect our kidneys.
Progesterone and Cyproterone Acetate can have sedative effects and cause tiredness and fatigue, so taking these along with other depressants may lead to feeling more exhausted during or after using opioids.
Both testosterone and opioids can cause water retention, which means we may experience constipation and bloating when taking both.
We don’t yet know enough about how opioid-induced androgen deficiency (OPIAD) may impact bodies that are taking testosterone, including whether it may impact our absorption or processing of our HRT.
For more information about opioids head to the Australian Drug Foundation
DISCLAIMER:
The information given on this page is not medical advice and should not be relied upon in that way.
ALL OF THE DRUGS
Mushrooms
What is it?
Certain mushrooms contain a naturally occurring chemical called psilocybin, and these are called magic mushrooms. Magic mushrooms (aka shrooms or mushies) commonly found within Australia are Gold Tops, Liberty Caps and Blue Meanies. It can be difficult to identify magic mushrooms from regular or poisonous mushrooms – with the latter ones likely leading to you ending up in the hospital – or even death… it’ll be a hard pass on that trip from me thanks!
Magic mushrooms can also be bought in capsules with dried leaves, and synthetic psilocybin can be purchased, which is a white crystalline powder that comes in the form of tablets or capsules and dissolves in water.
Magic mushrooms are eaten (whether fresh or cooked) or brewed into a tea. The dried version can be smoked, with the capsules and synthetic psilocybin swallowed.
What are the effects?
Magic mushrooms are a psychedelic, which means that they have the ability to alter our perception and mood, and illicit strong hallucinations – basically it means we’re trippin’!
Taking too much of the drug can lead to experiencing far lengthier trips than we intended. The effects can be felt about 5-10 minutes after being drunk and 30 minutes after being eaten, and can usually last for 6 hours.
- Sense of euphoria and increased wellbeing
- Changes in consciousness, mood, thought and perception – basically what we call a trip
- Pupil dilation
- Perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations
- Stomach discomfort and nausea
- Headaches
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Breathing quickly
- Vomiting
- Facial flushes, sweating and chills
Flashbacks. This is when we re-experience the effects of the drug, and they can occur days, months or even years later. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Think about where you might be when experiencing the flashback; are you in a meeting with your boss or driving a car? The experience can range from pleasant through to causing severe feelings of anxiety. They tend to be visual and only last for a minute or two.
Bad Trip
It is very easy to have a ‘bad trip’ while on magic mushrooms, especially if we’re not in the right frame of mind. It’s best to take them with friends that make us feel comfortable and in a positive space – think of it as a good vibes-only party! On the flip side, a bad trip can cause us to experience unpleasant or intense hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, panic or fear.
Overdose
The use of mushrooms is very rarely life-threatening unless we take a toxic version by mistake – which, tbh, I just don’t have the time for these days. However, if we take a large amount of have a strong batch, then we are more likely to experience the negative effects.
Knowing the signs of overdose helps keeps us and others safe, and when we might need to call an ambulance. Watch out for these symptoms and call 000 in an emergency:
Agitation
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Muscle Weakness
Panic or paranoia
Psychosis
Seizures
Coma
Mixing with other drugs
The effects of mixing mushrooms with other drugs – including over the counter or prescribed medications can be unpredictable and dangerous. Mushrooms should not be taken by anyone on psychiatric medications as a relapse or worsening of the condition could happen.
While there are no highly dangerous interactions between LSD and most other drugs, there are a range of unsafe interactions to be cautious of, and they can be found at TripSit
HIV Medications
The interactions between mushrooms and antiretroviral medications are not well known. There’s currently no evidence to suggest that mushrooms directly reduce the efficacy of antiretroviral medications. If some new research comes to light, then we’ll update this section and let you know.
The interactions between mushrooms and PrEP and PEP are not well known. There’s currently no evidence to suggest that mushrooms directly interact with these medications or reduce their efficacy. We’ll keep looking and update you if any new research comes to light.
To learn about the interactions between specific HIV medications and mushrooms head to Liverpool HIV Drug Interactions Checker.
Hormones
There’s currently no evidence to suggest that mushroom use reduces the efficacy of HRT. We’ll keep looking and update this information if something new comes to light.
The interactions between magic mushrooms and HRT are not well known. Progesterone and Cyproterone Acetate can have sedative effects, so we may be particularly tired, fatigued or sleepy during or after taking mushrooms.
For more information about magic mushrooms head to the Australian Drug Foundation or TripSit.
DISCLAIMER:
The information given on this page is not medical advice and should not be relied upon in that way.
ALL OF THE DRUGS
LSD
What is it?
LSD or lysergic acid diethylamide is a chemical made from a substance found in ergot, which is a fungus that infects rye grain (eeeeww right?).
LSD is usually identifiable as small tabs of paper, often with colourful cartoon designs on them, which have been blotted or soaked in the drug. It also comes in tablet, pill, sugar cube and liquid forms. LSD also goes by other names, such as acid, trips, tabs, microdots, dots, and Lucy.
LSD is most commonly swallowed or left to be absorbed under the tongue. It can also be sniffed, smoked or injected. With injecting, there is a risk of contracting blood-borne viruses, such as hepatitis B & C and HIV if needles are shared and the risk of infection at the injecting site.
What are the effects?
LSD is a psychedelic, which means that it has the ability to alter our perception and mood, and illicit strong hallucinations – basically it means we’re trippin! Taking too much of the drug can lead to experiencing far lengthier trips than we intended. The effects can be felt anywhere between 30-90 minutes after taking it, and can usually last around 8-12 hours.
- Euphoria and wellbeing
- Dilation of pupils
- Perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations
- Confusion and disorientation
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Increased body temperature
- Breathing quickly
- Vomiting
- Facial flushes, sweating and chills
Flashbacks. This is when we re-experience the effects of the drug, and they can occur days, months or even years later. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Think about where you might be when experiencing the flashback; are you in a meeting with your boss or driving a car? The experience can range from pleasant through to causing severe feelings of anxiety. They tend to be visual and only last for a minute or two.
Bad trip
It is very easy to have a ‘bad trip’ while on LSD, especially if we’re not in the right frame of mind. It’s best to take trips with friends that make us feel comfortable and in a space that it positive – think of it as a good vibes only party! On the flip side, a bad trip can cause us to experience unpleasant or intense hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, panic or fear.
Overdose
The use of LSD is very rarely life-threatening. However, if we take a large amount of have a strong batch, then we are more likely to experience the negative effects. Knowing the signs of overdose helps keeps us and others safe, and when we might need to call an ambulance. Watch out for these symptoms and call 000 in an emergency:
Panic
Paranoia
Psychosis
Mixing with other drugs
The effects of mixing LSD with other drugs – including over-the-counter or prescribed medications can be unpredictable. LSD should not be taken by anyone on psychiatric medications as a relapse or worsening of the condition could happen.
While there are no highly dangerous interactions between LSD and other drugs, there are a range of unsafe interactions to be cautious of, and they can be found at TripSit.
HIV Medications
The interactions between LSD and antiretroviral medications are not well known. There’s currently no evidence to suggest that LSD use directly reduces the efficacy of antiretroviral medications. If some new research comes to light, then we’ll update this section and let you know.
We did find research that suggests that due to the way that certain HIV medications are metabolised, LSD may become concentrated in the body, which basically means it amplifies the effects of LSD, including hallucinations, visual disturbances or flashbacks.
The interactions between LSD and PrEP and PEP are not well known. There’s currently no evidence to suggest that LSD use directly interacts with these medications or reduces their efficacy. We’ll keep looking and update you if any new research comes to light.
For more information about mixing LSD with HIV medications head to Liverpool HIV Drug Interactions Checker.
Hormones
There’s currently no evidence to suggest that LSD use directly reduces the efficacy of HRT. We’ll keep looking and update this information if something new comes to light.
The interactions between LSD and HRT are not well known. Progesterone and Cyproterone Acetate can have sedative effects, so we may be particularly tired, fatigued or sleepy during or after taking LSD.
For more information about LSD head to the Australian Drug Foundation or TripSit.
DISCLAIMER:
The information given on this page is not medical advice and should not be relied upon in that way.
ALL OF THE DRUGS
TOBACCO
What is it?
Tobacco is derived from the tobacco plant, with the active ingredient being nicotine. It speeds up the messages between the brain and the body – basically it gets us to stepping. Toxic by-products like tar and carbon monoxide are released when tobacco is smoked.
Tobacco is most commonly inhaled by smoking it. This can be from cigarettes, cigars or a pipe. It can be chewed or vaped. It can be absorbed into the skin through nicotine patches – but no one is walking around the smoking area in a bar asking for a nicotine patch. Patches are used by people trying to quit smoking.
What are the effects?
- Mild stimulation
- Increased heart rate
- Increased ability to concentrate
- Relaxation
- Temporary reduction in the urge to smoke
- Coughing
- Dizziness, headaches,
- Bad breath
- Tingling or numbness in fingers and toes
- Reduced appetite, stomach cramps and vomiting
- Stroke
- Eye diseases, like blindness and cataracts
- Birth defects, if the foetus is exposed to cigarettes
- Yellow teeth and gum disease
- Aneurisms
- Coronary heart disease
- Pneumonia
- Various respiratory diseases, like coughing fits and asthma
- Diabetes
- Reduced fertility
- Ectopic pregnancies (pregnancies in the fallopian tube)
- Hip fractures
- Difficulty getting an erection
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Reduced immune function, basically getting regular colds or the flu
- Cancers
Overdose
While we can’t overdose on tobacco, we can experience nicotine poisoning – and it’s just as bad as it sounds. It occurs when we have too much of it in our body. It usually happens in two stages, and the symptoms typically last an hour or two for mild poisoning and up to 24 hours for severe poisoning.
Knowing the signs of overdose helps keeps us and others safe, and when we might need to call an ambulance. Watch out for these symptoms and call 000 in an emergency:
Slower heartbeat
Shallow breathing
Lower blood pressure
Seizures
Loss of muscle control
Mixing with other drugs
The effects of mixing tobacco with other drugs – including over the counter or prescribed medications can be unpredictable and dangerous. Do not mix tobacco with the following medications because it may increase the risk of death:
Contraceptive Pill
To discover more about the specific interactions between tobacco and other drugs, refer to the Australian Drug Foundation.
HIV Medications
The interactions between tobacco and antiretroviral medications are not well known. There’s currently no evidence to suggest that tobacco use directly reduces the efficacy of antiretroviral medications. If some new research comes to light, then we’ll update this section and let you know.
The interactions between tobacco and PrEP and PEP are not well known. There’s currently no evidence to suggest that tobacco use directly interacts with these medications or reduces their efficacy. We’ll keep looking and update you if any new research comes to light.
To learn about the interactions between specific HIV medications and tobacco head to Liverpool HIV Drug Interactions Checker.
Hormones
There’s currently no evidence to suggest that nicotine use directly reduces the efficacy of HRT. We’ll keep looking and update this information if something new comes to light.
Feminising hormones and anti-androgens can alter the experience of stimulants generally, and this includes tobacco. It can result in experiencing amplified effects including excess sweating, rapid heart rate and dehydration, and this is more likely with low testosterone levels.
Progesterone can contribute to an inflammation of the airways and potentially increases the risk of asthma, which is then compounded by smoking.
Oestradiol and smoking tobacco may contribute to deep vein thrombosis, so best to chat with a healthcare professional to help manage and mitigate the risk.
Both testosterone and smoking tobacco can contribute to a condition known as polycythaemia (a high concentration of red blood cells) which may feel like fatigue, weakness, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Chat with a doctor to keep an eye out for any blood work.
Testosterone can increase irritability, and restlessness and impact our emotions, so we may find changes in our response when taking stimulants, such as increased sweating and heart rate, and our experiences of irritability and mood swings.
The smoking cessation chemical Bupropion is contraindicated for use with Testosterone – so before quitting smoking, it’s best to chat with a professional about what will work best.
For more information about tobacco head to the Australian Drug Foundation or TripSit.
DISCLAIMER:
The information given on this page is not medical advice and should not be relied upon in that way.
ALL OF THE DRUGS
ALCOHOL
What is it?
Alcohol (aka booze) is a depressant and the active ingredient is ethanol. It slows down the messages travelling between the brain and the body – basically it means that we are a few steps behind the beat.
Alcohol is consumed by drinking it. To drink is to swallow some kind of liquid – pretty straightforward huh?
What are the effects?
Alcohol will do the same job of getting us drunk no matter what our choice of drink (e.g., beer, wine or spirits) but it all depends on how much we drink and over what period of time – think drink, drank, drunk!
Different types of alcohol have different potency levels, so best to check the label on the bottle for its alcohol content level or the number of standard drinks it contains. A Google search can give us information about tap drinks and spirit or shots.
- Feeling relaxed
- Trouble concentrating
- Slower reflexes
- Increased confidence
- Heightened mood – so feeling happier or sadder, depending on our mood
- Depression
- Poor memory and brain damage
- Difficulty getting an erection
- Difficulty with pregnancy and becoming pregnant
- Liver disease
- Cancer
- High blood pressure and heart disease
Sobering up
There is no way to speed up the process of getting sober. The liver is responsible for breaking down alcohol and it takes its time – roughly one standard drink an hour. Having coffee, taking a shower or getting some fresh air may make us feel more alert, but it doesn’t change the amount of alcohol in our body – so sorry to disappoint, but despite how good the Maccas delivery was, it’s not changing our blood alcohol content.
Overdose
There’s a fine line between stupidly drunk and dangerously intoxicated – and it’s possible to overdose on alcohol. Knowing the signs of overdose helps keeps us and others safe, and when we might need to call an ambulance. Watch out for these symptoms and call 000 in an emergency:
Confusion
Blurred vision
Clumsiness
Memory loss
Nausea and vomiting
Passing out
Coma
If we consume too much in a short period of time it increases our chances of experiencing alcohol poisoning – and that’s pretty serious business. It can result in our death, so yikes…
Mixing with other drugs
The effects of mixing booze with other drugs – including over-the-counter or prescribed medications can be unpredictable and dangerous. Do not mix alcohol with the following medications because it may increase the risk of overdose, and even death:
- Ketamine
- GHB/GBL
- Opioids
- Benzos
Discover more about the unsafe interactions between alcohol and other drugs at TripSit.
HIV Medications
The interactions between alcohol and antiretroviral medications are not well known. There’s currently no evidence to suggest that alcohol use directly reduces the efficacy of antiretroviral medications. If some new research comes to light, then we’ll update this section and let you know.
The interactions between alcohol and PrEP and PEP are not well known. There’s currently no evidence to suggest that alcohol use directly interacts with these medications or reduces their efficacy. We’ll keep looking and update you if any new research comes to light.
To learn about the interactions between specific HIV medications and alcohol head to Liverpool HIV Drug Interactions Checker.
Hormones
There’s currently no evidence to suggest that alcohol use directly reduces the efficacy of HRT. We’ll keep looking and update this information if something new comes to light.
Alcohol and feminising hormone/anti-androgen use can impact liver function, and how long we experience the effects of alcohol as the liver takes longer to break the alcohol down. It can also affect our ability to concentrate and make us feel drowsy, sleepy or fatigued.
We don’t yet understand the relationship between alcohol, progesterone, and breast cancers, so it’s wise to regularly chat with a healthcare professional and perform checks of our chest, keeping an eye on how our breast tissue may change.
We don’t currently have a lot of research to tell us about how Testosterone prescribed in HRT contexts interacts with Alcohol use. It’s a good idea to be in regular contact with a healthcare professional to keep an eye on blood work in case testosterone and/or alcohol begin to affect our liver health.
For more information about Alcohol, head to the Australian Drug Foundation.
DISCLAIMER:
The information given on this page is not medical advice and should not be relied upon in that way.