I'm interested to know what people's opinions are on the future of recreational drugs. How they might change (or not) over the next ten years. So what sorts of drugs people might be taking (more mephedrone-type synthetics? Less ketamine?)? Will we be living in a post-prohibition society? Will people be making homemade concoctions if they can't afford those on the black markets? Who's going to be making and selling the drugs we take? Will cannabis be as strong? How will technology affect what drugs we take? Questions! Questions! What are people's thoughts?
The Future of Drugs
- Thread starter TuneON
- Start date
nastypoker
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2012
- Messages
- 74
Lots of RC's, lots of misunderstanding by the youths of the day as to what they do. Classic drugs will remain with a premium over all these new cheaper alternatives. The media will misrepresent many of these new drugs as the classic old ones with absolutely no knowledge whatsoever.
In the US, at least...
A great increase in the social acceptability of cannabis, on the whole. I think the law will get much looser through the states, and possibly on the federal level - possibly, but what I think will really fall is enforcement regarding cannabis use (and even sale). I think this will result from society, directly. I just cannot see the American people, as a whole, really minding if one wants to smoke (in the coming years) cannabis. Because of the rise of social acceptability and the drop of taboo assosciated with cannabis, I think its use will be even more widespread in America and greater in amount of consumption, even for those who have previously held anti-cannabis stances because they are anti-drugs. I just think we are really going to see 'the cannabis revolution', which I think has already begun, but will accelerate quickly and become much larger.
A modest increase in the use of heroin, I'd guess. Why? Economical difficulties will make heroin more popular amongst those already opiate-addicted. And, perhaps more importantly, the increased opiophobia in the doctors' offices throughout the nation. I think buprenorphine (Suboxone/Subutex) will also rise in use as it will become more and more comfortably prescribed to allow opiate addicts maintenance instead of complete abstinence - it will also be in more demand due to the above-mentioned opiophobia in doctors' offices, and so it may become a more popular pharmaceutical opioid for recreational use on the street. I don't think anything too dramatic will change with opioid use, but there will be some change, I'd guess. With the coming of pure hydrocodone as a pharmaceutical, though, I see a very, very similar craze over such rather like the great appeal of OxyContin, which has no doubt declined. I do think the pure hydrocodone pharmaceuticals will be more readily endorsed by doctors over pure oxycodone, because doctors will be under the false impression of less abuse potential. Some opiate addicts, even well-seasoned, love their hydrocodone.
LSD will continue to become harder and harder to find - I think it may very well become a great novelty to those drug users to come, especially those interested in psychedelic drugs.
Cocaine use, I have a feeling, will drop some - not a terrible drop so quickly from the present, but a slower one with a tendency for otherwise more deeply involved cocaine users to go to amphetamines or opioids. I think, though, it will remain in use, especially amongst the very wealthy. Otherwise, it might, at some point, become a great novelty to the layperson to use even 'decent' cocaine. Cocaine is expensive, and rarely of good quality, and with a very short duration of action. Cocaine addicts may seem to vanish more than the drug itself - using will just become impossible due to cost more than anything.
Amphetamines may become more popular - I rather suspect we will see, in time, a society composed of a fair amount who use amphetamines, on the whole. The pharmaceutical amphetamines will become more widely scripted, and the raw abundance may really serve for this increase in use, either daily or as needed. I think we will see more self-medication with amphetamines, in the future, and not just abuse and resultant addiction. I would guess that in 2023, we could see up to the likes of maybe 10 %, maybe even a bit higher, of the US population using amphetamines in some fashion. Vyvanse, particularly, I expect to see become even more popular in the doctors' offices, and thus in overall use. It works well as an amphetamine, is very "abuse-proof" in mechanism, has fewer side-effects than a lot of other amphetamine preparations both prescription and non-prescription, comes on more gently and down more gently, but does provide the very real amphetamine experience as I said.
Alcohol use will likely stay about where it is, or may drop a BIT due to increased social cannabis use. Tobacco use will continue on, but slowly decline - quite slowly, I'd imagine.
I am not sure of what else - I may respond again if I have more thoughts. I think what I say makes sense, but that doesn't mean it will turn out to be so.
A great increase in the social acceptability of cannabis, on the whole. I think the law will get much looser through the states, and possibly on the federal level - possibly, but what I think will really fall is enforcement regarding cannabis use (and even sale). I think this will result from society, directly. I just cannot see the American people, as a whole, really minding if one wants to smoke (in the coming years) cannabis. Because of the rise of social acceptability and the drop of taboo assosciated with cannabis, I think its use will be even more widespread in America and greater in amount of consumption, even for those who have previously held anti-cannabis stances because they are anti-drugs. I just think we are really going to see 'the cannabis revolution', which I think has already begun, but will accelerate quickly and become much larger.
A modest increase in the use of heroin, I'd guess. Why? Economical difficulties will make heroin more popular amongst those already opiate-addicted. And, perhaps more importantly, the increased opiophobia in the doctors' offices throughout the nation. I think buprenorphine (Suboxone/Subutex) will also rise in use as it will become more and more comfortably prescribed to allow opiate addicts maintenance instead of complete abstinence - it will also be in more demand due to the above-mentioned opiophobia in doctors' offices, and so it may become a more popular pharmaceutical opioid for recreational use on the street. I don't think anything too dramatic will change with opioid use, but there will be some change, I'd guess. With the coming of pure hydrocodone as a pharmaceutical, though, I see a very, very similar craze over such rather like the great appeal of OxyContin, which has no doubt declined. I do think the pure hydrocodone pharmaceuticals will be more readily endorsed by doctors over pure oxycodone, because doctors will be under the false impression of less abuse potential. Some opiate addicts, even well-seasoned, love their hydrocodone.
LSD will continue to become harder and harder to find - I think it may very well become a great novelty to those drug users to come, especially those interested in psychedelic drugs.
Cocaine use, I have a feeling, will drop some - not a terrible drop so quickly from the present, but a slower one with a tendency for otherwise more deeply involved cocaine users to go to amphetamines or opioids. I think, though, it will remain in use, especially amongst the very wealthy. Otherwise, it might, at some point, become a great novelty to the layperson to use even 'decent' cocaine. Cocaine is expensive, and rarely of good quality, and with a very short duration of action. Cocaine addicts may seem to vanish more than the drug itself - using will just become impossible due to cost more than anything.
Amphetamines may become more popular - I rather suspect we will see, in time, a society composed of a fair amount who use amphetamines, on the whole. The pharmaceutical amphetamines will become more widely scripted, and the raw abundance may really serve for this increase in use, either daily or as needed. I think we will see more self-medication with amphetamines, in the future, and not just abuse and resultant addiction. I would guess that in 2023, we could see up to the likes of maybe 10 %, maybe even a bit higher, of the US population using amphetamines in some fashion. Vyvanse, particularly, I expect to see become even more popular in the doctors' offices, and thus in overall use. It works well as an amphetamine, is very "abuse-proof" in mechanism, has fewer side-effects than a lot of other amphetamine preparations both prescription and non-prescription, comes on more gently and down more gently, but does provide the very real amphetamine experience as I said.
Alcohol use will likely stay about where it is, or may drop a BIT due to increased social cannabis use. Tobacco use will continue on, but slowly decline - quite slowly, I'd imagine.
I am not sure of what else - I may respond again if I have more thoughts. I think what I say makes sense, but that doesn't mean it will turn out to be so.
Captain.Heroin
Bluelight Crew
I am sensing something great coming very soon. Will post more about it later.
MittZombie
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2012
- Messages
- 58
I read this short story in which this detective gets assigned to find this new drug in this really shady neighborhood. He finally catches this kid who's a runner. The kid hands him a folded piece of paper. The cop unfolds it, but there's nothing in it. There's just a strange word written on it. Saying the word is what got u high.
escape20
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2010
- Messages
- 1,359
The future of drugs is full of neverending possibilities. Several new drugs are released every year...hell MXE was just invented in 2010 so who knows what going to come in the future. I got my fingers crossed that it's going to be a powerful opiate that doesn't cause physical dependence 
Hopefully people will realize many of the "classic bad drugs" they have been focused on aren't all that bad, addiction potential aside, and that many of the shit that is grey area legal is absolute poison. Alcohol is a horrible drug in all aspects, and weed should be the new cigarette. Also, the realization that addicts should be treated somewhat like schizos, or people with eating disorders, instead of lowly criminals who want to hurt you and get your sons and daughters hooked
However im guessing that reality will be the exact opposite, whatever that is
However im guessing that reality will be the exact opposite, whatever that is
An opioid RC that's about as potent as morphine. The game would change.
The average person is becoming more and more well versed in chemistry, so I hope we are on the cusp of a future where people have a greater understanding of what, exactly, they are putting in their bodies.
The average person is becoming more and more well versed in chemistry, so I hope we are on the cusp of a future where people have a greater understanding of what, exactly, they are putting in their bodies.
Seyer
Bluelight Crew
Not happening 
^
^
'medicine cabinet'
Bluelighter
Jenkem..all the way.
yeah sadly an opiate RC would be great, but i dont see that coming in the near future of ever really. From what i read today, mescaline based psychs might be the new big thing. I can see chinese labs pumping out grey market drugs that just skirt the line, are brand new so they will have no long term effect data and it will be the next MDPV or synth noids. possibly designer dissasociatives, thats the beauty of O chem, a little tweek here and there and you have a brand new substance that some lucky idiot will try and rate its effects. when i look at the rc vendor websites im amazed at the multitude of chems they sell.
yeah sadly an opiate RC would be great, but i dont see that coming in the near future of ever really. From what i read today, mescaline based psychs might be the new big thing. I can see chinese labs pumping out grey market drugs that just skirt the line, are brand new so they will have no long term effect data and it will be the next MDPV or synth noids. possibly designer dissasociatives, thats the beauty of O chem, a little tweek here and there and you have a brand new substance that some lucky idiot will try and rate its effects. when i look at the rc vendor websites im amazed at the multitude of chems they sell.
RobotRipping
Bluelighter
i see more drugs that are selective for their particular receptors that they intend to target. For example how 25i-nbome came along after 2c-i, much more selective, much more potent and much less side effects, however with a much less safe dose/response curve.
if escaline is any indication then there is a huge future for mescaline analogues in the psychedelics market.
that's the future, better drugs, less side effects and probably more caution required if they are more potent as well.
if escaline is any indication then there is a huge future for mescaline analogues in the psychedelics market.
that's the future, better drugs, less side effects and probably more caution required if they are more potent as well.
teological
Bluelighter
Most drugs will be legal one day, no doubt about it. Maybe not in 10years, I am shooting from maybe 50 - 300 years from now. But it will happen 100%.
Foreigner
Bluelighter
I'm also concerned that LSD will become more and more rare...
It's so hard to find high quality, authentic LSD these days.
It's so hard to find high quality, authentic LSD these days.
Obiez
Bluelighter
I personally think that organic drugs like weed and (maybe) mushrooms, will be seen as the lesser evil of the new designer drugs. The designer drugs will become increasingly more addictive/dangerous for use.
Opiates will become more potent and even more addictive as big pharma has seen just how much money is being made at the moment, which IMO is a very, very bad thing. Unless someone comes up with an opioid that does everything but get you addicted. That would be amazing, but not likely to happen. I truly believe that synthetic opioids are more addictive on purpose.
LSD will be almost eradicated, but designer drugs like 2cb will take its spot. DMT is easily made at home so that won't be going anywhere unless every plant with MAO inhibitors and dmt are eradicated from the planet.
Alcohol will not be going anywhere. Nicotine either. Not in 10 years at least.
In CZ and Portugal all drugs are legal to use, and I think that this is going to become the norm around the world, as will the norwegian drug centers (places you go to get free needles and shoot up heroin in a safe -hospital grade - envirement.
I don't see drug use going down in the near future, but in the far future I believe that the legality of all drugs will decrease the use of drugs drastically. A friend who lives in CZ says that now that everything is legal there, everyone was getting fucked up to the Nth degree, but it rapidly dropped after the novelty of the idea faded.
Education on drug use will become far less taboo because of all the new RC's, and test kits and information will be even cheaper. I can see a smartphone app being developed to check what's in your stash. Just put it on the screen and it analyzes it for you.
On the flipside:
Everything stays the same in terms of legality, and continuing this clusterfuck that is going on at the moment.
I think that the internet is changed the game completely. Making it far too easy to find information on how to make your own shit at home with minimal effort. This is why I believe that natural drugs will be the first to be the first ones to reach legal status as they are far easier to test and label as opposed to synthetics, but, big farma already made a synthetic marijuana pill, so... you never know when it comes to profit. So, it really depends on how we develop economically as to what will happen in the future.
Or:
Technology will take over and create some sort of simulation of the feelings you get when on drugs, and this will take the market over, hopefully with the same side effects playing a game has.
All speculation though.
Opiates will become more potent and even more addictive as big pharma has seen just how much money is being made at the moment, which IMO is a very, very bad thing. Unless someone comes up with an opioid that does everything but get you addicted. That would be amazing, but not likely to happen. I truly believe that synthetic opioids are more addictive on purpose.
LSD will be almost eradicated, but designer drugs like 2cb will take its spot. DMT is easily made at home so that won't be going anywhere unless every plant with MAO inhibitors and dmt are eradicated from the planet.
Alcohol will not be going anywhere. Nicotine either. Not in 10 years at least.
In CZ and Portugal all drugs are legal to use, and I think that this is going to become the norm around the world, as will the norwegian drug centers (places you go to get free needles and shoot up heroin in a safe -hospital grade - envirement.
I don't see drug use going down in the near future, but in the far future I believe that the legality of all drugs will decrease the use of drugs drastically. A friend who lives in CZ says that now that everything is legal there, everyone was getting fucked up to the Nth degree, but it rapidly dropped after the novelty of the idea faded.
Education on drug use will become far less taboo because of all the new RC's, and test kits and information will be even cheaper. I can see a smartphone app being developed to check what's in your stash. Just put it on the screen and it analyzes it for you.
On the flipside:
Everything stays the same in terms of legality, and continuing this clusterfuck that is going on at the moment.
I think that the internet is changed the game completely. Making it far too easy to find information on how to make your own shit at home with minimal effort. This is why I believe that natural drugs will be the first to be the first ones to reach legal status as they are far easier to test and label as opposed to synthetics, but, big farma already made a synthetic marijuana pill, so... you never know when it comes to profit. So, it really depends on how we develop economically as to what will happen in the future.
Or:
Technology will take over and create some sort of simulation of the feelings you get when on drugs, and this will take the market over, hopefully with the same side effects playing a game has.
All speculation though.
arab691495
Greenlighter
I hope that Marijuana and many other drug's negative stereotypes will be realized for what they really are-hot air and exaggerations created for political gains, and not for the protection of society from itself. Yet I too believe that new drugs including those undiscovered and the dangers they'll bring with the inexperience in use and in unforeseen reactions with the body (rc's, synthetic weed, etc..) will delay this "enlightenment", and could even go so far as to fuck it all up. Think back to the 70's and acid where noob trippers where jumping off buildings because of their inebriation and apparent lack of a *good* trip sitter, leaving everyone thinking that acid makes you crazy and ALWAYS(due to government exaggeration/false testimonials of negative events ) results in thinking you can fly and dying because said reaction occurs. Take the drugs around today, and the unfounded and sometimes flat out wrong ideas that the straight edge, inexperienced, and close-minded people (that account for the majority in this largely democratic society) have about them(reefer madness; the idea that acid will damage your brain or that you can overdose on it to the point of fatality; the thought that coke and heroin are on par with methamphetamine in regards to addiction potential/ damage to the body;etc,etc).They may be true or false, or may vary in how true they are based on circumstances...yet these stereotypes have existed and still exist to this day; ever since the existence of said substances. And you can thank big brother for molding what is viewed as "right and "wrong"(alcohol is advertised almost everywhere even though it is arguably more harmful to humans and society than many illegal things...lol-wut???).... I mean, we haven't even been able to legalize weed in more than two state governments in the 50 that comprise the USA, and many still think it has a "dangerous potential" or "gateway" effect- to the point of not legalizing it, if they can't pull anything else out of their asses for an excuse. Not to mention the rest of the world is arguably further behind in this ordeal than America. Most, if not nearly all of the substances out there have been discovered or synthesized within the last 100-150 years save magic mushrooms or dmt, yet even with all the research that's been conducted and knowledge that's been gained these prejudices remain.. If history really does repeat itself, I feel that even with the acceptance of older drugs, the presence of new ones and exaggerations of their effects, for whatever reasons, will continue these negative stigmas,and because "drugs" are grouped with "drugs" , will end up resulting in nothing more but fuel for the fires of ignorance. The simple fact is most people don't want to have to put faith in a future that mixes civilization/society with an acceptance of intoxication by these "dangerous" substances especially since they're so "bad".
Be optimistic though because if future generations can speak out loud enough over the lies being roared by the government , then maybe society will wake up and be more open minded to this issue.
With luck, history will be able to start a new and enlightened chapter with the acknowledgement that only we ourselves should be allowed to regulate what we can put in our bodies, not an authoritative figure/regime...
Be optimistic though because if future generations can speak out loud enough over the lies being roared by the government , then maybe society will wake up and be more open minded to this issue.
With luck, history will be able to start a new and enlightened chapter with the acknowledgement that only we ourselves should be allowed to regulate what we can put in our bodies, not an authoritative figure/regime...
lookmanolimbs
Bluelighter
I think the future will see a rational political dialogue with regard to drugs and the law.
Serious discussion is underway in the UK regarding cannabis reclassification, and legalization is already underway in the US. The last six months has seen (IIRC) 11 states vastly reducing penalties for posession. Governments are looking at the Czech Republic & Portugal's decriminalization of drugs and eyebrows are being raised all over the world. People are starting to take anti-drug crap from the media with a pinch of salt. Also this and this.
The war on drugs has been a lost cause for a while now.
Serious discussion is underway in the UK regarding cannabis reclassification, and legalization is already underway in the US. The last six months has seen (IIRC) 11 states vastly reducing penalties for posession. Governments are looking at the Czech Republic & Portugal's decriminalization of drugs and eyebrows are being raised all over the world. People are starting to take anti-drug crap from the media with a pinch of salt. Also this and this.
The war on drugs has been a lost cause for a while now.
skateboarder
Greenlighter
I agree with this 100%
so nastypoker, do you think RCs will dominate as opposed to the more established drugs? or do you think both will have equal footing in the market? do you see RCs growing in popularity from what they are now as they only hold a small percentage as opposed to the classic drugs?
Nano-bot technology will surpass any known drug by 2050's or at least 2060's then there will be no need to ingest any substance as all will be produced on demand by the nano-bots co-hosting our bodies.
Just speculation but its definitely a true lie. Its bound to happen.
Just speculation but its definitely a true lie. Its bound to happen.
Mr.Scagnattie
Bluelighter
I'm hoping for a revolutionary new heroin that doesn't get you psychically dependent and has a decreased risk of overdose... ![:\](https://bluelight.org/xf/BL_Images/Orig_Emoji/wrygrin.gif "wry grin :\")
But....I have a feeling I'm going to be waiting for a long time.
But....I have a feeling I'm going to be waiting for a long time.