Major Depressive Disorder
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a common mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and low mood, which can result in thoughts of self-harm or suicide when untreated. These feelings are not caused by grieving upsetting events in one’s life, but rather a result of changes in brain chemistry. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S., with around 7% of adults and 4.4% of children having some form of depression.
Depression can cause more than just sadness; it can affect thought patterns, interpersonal relationships, and interest in daily activities. The disorder also negatively affects the ability to perform daily tasks, like getting out of bed, brushing teeth, sleeping, eating, etc. Given the wide variety of symptoms, depression is quite treatable. Treatment may include talk therapy and medication, or even guided lifestyle changes, which can mitigate the symptoms of the disorder while not necessarily treating it.
Marijuana (Weed)
Marijuana, also known as weed or pot, is a drug composed of the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from plants of the Cannabis genus. Among the common Cannabis plants included are C. sativa, C. indica, and C. ruderalis. Cannabis and marijuana are often used interchangeably, but marijuana is technically different as it only consists of cannabis products that contain THC, the main component that gives marijuana its psychoactive effects. These effects include relaxation, mild euphoria, and an altered sense of time.
Throughout the 20th century, the legal status of marijuana in the U.S. was ruminated on, adjusted, restricted, and relaxed until the 1990s, when decriminalization efforts began and medical uses of the drug was legalized in multiple states. Now, many states have legalized both medical and recreational applications of marijuana for people over the state-designated legal consumption age.
MDMA ( Molly / Ecstacy )
MDMA, short for 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine and also known as Molly or Ecstacy, is a synthetic drug that has the effects of both a stimulant and a psychedelic. It induces excitement, high energy, and euphoria while distorting one’s perception of time. MDMA is classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning that it has no practical applications outside of recreation and it has potential to be abused.
Possible negative effects include nausea, involuntary jaw clenching, and high blood pressure. The high induced by MDMA can also increase anxiety and cause extended bouts of depressive thoughts in the aftermath of drug use. MDMA overuse very rarely results in death, but there are cases of repeated use causing heart conditions that can lead to fatal complications. Due to its reputation as a club drug, MDMA is often accidentally overused in nightclubs and social gatherings.
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine, or meth for short, is a Schedule II synthetic stimulant, meaning that it can only be obtained through prescription. Meth is extremely addictive and potent whether it’s smoked, snorted, or injected. The combination of its potency and addictiveness make it one of the leading causes of drug overdoses in the United States. It often takes the form of shiny light blue crystals or powder, which earned it the nickname “ice”.
Some of the short-term effects of methamphetamine are intense euphoria, alertness, and high energy. The high is often followed by a period of intense discomfort known as a crash. Crashes can induce nausea, vomiting, paranoia, high blood pressure, and heart problems. Crash symptoms can be mitigated or delayed by taking more doses of methamphetamine, which does provide momentary relief, but will either make the eventual crash much worse or result in a meth overdose. Habitual use of meth can also lead to heart problems, strokes, or even death.