Although the general public is ignorant of many addiction and rehabilitation-related issues, most people have heard of the most common illegal drugs. Heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines, marijuana, crack, and hash are well-known and often discussed in the news and other popular media. Oxycontin, methadone, and other prescription opiates are also highly recognizable in most communities.

However, there is still a myriad of drugs which few people have even heard of. Many of these substances are only well known within communities of heavy drug users and experimenters. It is crucial that more laypeople learn to recognize these substances. While they aren't common, they can still be extremely addictive and pose serious dangers to people and their communities.

San Pedro

San Pedro is a hallucinogenic cactus. Though native to South American countries, this hardy plant can be grown in an extremely wide variety of climates. People all over the world have used it for centuries for religious, medicinal, recreational, and decorative purposes.

San Pedro's active ingredient is mescaline, a substance which the United States Congress outlawed in the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. However, various loopholes in current drug laws make San Pedro and other mescaline-containing plants very easy to acquire. Since its decorative use is technically legal, drug users are frequently able to buy it for supposedly "ornamental" purposes. Still, legal consequences for the illicit use, sale, and distribution of San Pedro are severe in countries where it is banned.

San Pedro can produce strong hallucinations which last for close to an entire day. American users occasionally report strange behaviors and even medical complications, though these effects are generally confined to New Mexico and other Southwestern states. In even rarer cases, the cactus has been known to trigger severe seizures.

Soma

Soma has been referenced in various texts for thousands of years. Today, it is also known as Carisoprodol and is sometimes prescribed as a muscle relaxant to people undergoing physical therapy for tears, sprains, or strains. Though soma is new to the United States pharmaceutical market, there are already reports which show that it may be physically addictive.

Though it is now known for its medicinal uses, soma has traditionally been consumed for its hallucinogenic properties. Ancient texts from India and other Asian countries reference the drug as a spiritual aid which could produce powerful euphoric effects.

Despite its prevalence in these ancient writings, scholars disagree on what soma actually is. Many people believe it to be Ephedra - a plant which contains chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamines. Others believe it is Psylocibe Cubensis, a psychedelic mushroom commonly found growing on livestock manure. Since ancient Indians seem to have left no concrete evidence as to the identity or preparation of soma, it is impossible for researchers to recreate the exact drug to which these texts refer.

Rush

Although the United States government outlawed Rush in the late 1980s, variations on the drug are still readily available. The internet in particular provides an easily-accessible marketplace for people all over the world to buy the drug. Websites which sell it are often able to exist because they are based in countries with relaxed or nonexistent restrictions on Rush.

Common chemical names for Rush include butyl nitrate, isobutyl nitrate, and amyl nitrite - different drugs with very similar effects. They are typically purchased in liquid form and vaporized for consumption. Inhalation of this vapor causes dilation of veins, vessels, and arteries and thus leads to rapid uptake of blood in the heart, brain, and other organs. This phenomenon creates a brief but very intense high in users, as well as a strong stimulant effect.

Because of the intensity of its effects, Rush can cause quick habit-formation. Since these effects last only a few minutes, users often take massive doses with alarming frequency in order to stay high. This behavior not only leads to rapid addictions - it can cause convulsions, cardiac arrest, stroke, and even brain aneurisms. Urban75, an organization focused on drug abuse prevention, has stated that people with circulatory problems and low blood pressure are at especially high risk for these symptoms. Also, doctors and addiction specialists have warned that combining Rush with other stimulants such as cocaine, methamphetamines, or ecstasy can exacerbate these symptoms. Overall, the strong effects of Rush, or "poppers," can be fatal.

In the next chapter of "Obscure Drugs," we will talk about other uncommon substances such as philosophers' stones, Ketamine, Khat, Cogentin, and Dextromethorphan. If you need help with addiction now, however, call the number at the top of your screen. Our dedicated addiction specialists are standing by day and night to help you find treatment and get your life back on track. Take the first step on the road to recovery today.