Drugs are substances that change a person's mental or physical state by affecting how the brain and body function. They can alter feelings, behavior, perception, and bodily processes
. Drugs include a wide range of chemical substances such as:
- Medicines prescribed by doctors to treat or prevent illnesses
- Over-the-counter medications
- Legal recreational substances like alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco
- Illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine
Drugs can be taken in various ways, including swallowing, inhaling, injecting, or absorbing through the skin
. They are classified based on their effects on the central nervous system into categories such as:
- Stimulants (speed up body and brain activity, e.g., cocaine, caffeine)
- Depressants (slow down body and brain activity, e.g., alcohol, benzodiazepines)
- Hallucinogens (alter perception and senses, e.g., LSD, magic mushrooms)
- Dissociatives (cause a sense of detachment from body or reality)
While many drugs have medical uses, some are misused or abused, which can lead to addiction, health problems, and social consequences
. Illegal drugs often carry additional risks due to unknown purity and potency
. In summary, drugs are chemical substances that can have therapeutic benefits or cause harm depending on their use, legality, and effects on the body and mind
