Articles written by Ren Brabenec:
What Is Synthetic Marijuana?
What is synthetic marijuana? The tricky thing is, there are a lot of different kinds of synthetic marijuana, so there is no real, one, clear definition for the drug that defines all of them in one.
Does Marijuana Use Lead to the Use of Stronger Drugs?
Here we have one of the most debated, argued, and contentious subjects within the marijuana issue. The question as to whether or not marijuana is a gateway drug. A gateway drug is a drug that, while the drug itself might not be addictive, it is a drug which may lead to the use of other addictive drugs. Does marijuana meet this description?
How is Marijuana Different Today From the Marijuana of Past Years?
The cannabis being circulated today is not the same drug that previous generations used in the mid-to-late 1900s. Today’s cannabis is far more potent, addictive, and harmful.
Kratom Information
Kratom has emerged on the drug use scene across the United States as an alleged alternative to opioid pain relievers. But is kratom a safe alternative? Or is it just another addictive drug?
Drug Information: Opioids
Opioid addiction has stood at the center of the American drug addiction crisis since the late 1990s when pharmaceutical companies began aggressively promoting opioid painkillers to doctors and patients. But what is the scope of opioid addiction today?
How Do I Spot Fentanyl and the Chemicals That Make It?
A news story broke recently of an Arizona drug bust in which, unlike most drug busts, the agents did NOT seize fentanyl that had been trafficked from Mexico or China. Rather, the agents seized batches of chemicals intended to produce fentanyl right here in the United States.
Ketamine as Depression Treatment and the Addictive Nature of the Drug
New reports show the club drug ketamine, also known as “Special K,” may be used to treat severe depression. But is it such a good idea to push a drug to treat depression when that drug has a long history of being addictive, mind-altering, and potentially quite harmful?
Understanding The Present Situation With Psilocybin
The primary criticism of pro-legalization efforts regarding psilocybin is that, at this time, there is conflicting information and inconclusive evidence on whether or not the drugs are even beneficial. Interested parties must remember that the federal government and FDA have not completed their research into psilocybin, and the drug remains illegal on the federal level.
Kratom: Is it an alternative to painkillers and opioids?
Because kratom is legal in many U.S. states, some people could get the impression that it is a harmless drug. But since the drug has effects like respiratory depression, seizures and death, this is an erroneous impression.
New Study Finds Marijuana Poses Risk for Addiction
A recently published study suggests medical marijuana may not be as effective as the narrative has suggested. Further, it may carry risk for addiction.
Instances of Fentanyl Mixed in Cannabis on the Rise
In recent years, there have been growing reports of fentanyl being laced into batches of marijuana, posing a severe risk to people who think they are using “just marijuana.”
Signs and Symptoms of Inhalant Abuse
Most people do not consider cans of paint, aerosols, nail polish, thinners, propane, or butane to be “drugs.” However, such substances can produce mind-altering effects when inhaled, an increasingly popular trend among young people.
Understanding Inhalant Abuse
Inhalants refer to a broad range of household and industrial chemicals whose volatile vapors or pressurized gases cause a mind-altering effect when breathed through the nose or mouth. Such vapors produce intoxication in a manner not intended by the manufacturer.
The Mechanics of Opioid Addiction
“The opioid epidemic.” We hear this line on the news, on social media, in discussions within our communities, and so on. It is a well-known fact at this point that the United States is struggling with an opioid epidemic.
The Dangers and Risks of Ecstasy
If you’ve had an ear to the ground on the recent drug news and its media coverage, you may have heard whisperings and suggestions that psychedelics, hallucinogens, and a few other designer drugs are supposedly “helpful” or beneficial for addressing certain mental health issues.
Understanding Psychedelics
For those of us who follow the medical news, we may have heard whisperings about the use of psychedelic drugs for addressing mental health issues. This is a relatively new movement, or at the very least, it’s a new spin on the 1970s-era effort to create legitimacy for psychedelics in the field of mental health.
Understanding Ketamine Addiction
Like all addictive drugs, ketamine is highly damaging to the person who indulges in repeated or chronic use. It can be difficult for the unaddicted person to understand the allure of effects like those resulting from ketamine abuse.