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OD Moderators: Keif’ Richards | negrogesic
Stimulants Which are more/less physically toxic? Benzos, opiates, amphetamines, SSRIs?
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BIGsherm7272
Bluelighter
I would say SSRI's are the most toxic, followed by Amphetamines. Benzo's and opiates are pretty much non-toxic, even though benzos can fry your gaba receptors and opiates can cause overgrowth of your opioid receptors, thats about it.
... well it depends on what the reason would be to take more of the drug of choice. if you are looking to study or get stuff done then amphetamines, if you want to lay back and relax either benzos or opiate. I don't recommend taking SSRI's unless your clinically diagnosed to take them. Just because they can fluctuate your serotonin levels if you take them intermittently. These substances are all toxic to an extent, all depends on how long you do them for.
bunge
Bluelighter
From a pharmacology standpoint, id imagine amphetamines are the most toxic as they are neuro-toxic and deplete your your bodies mineral levels alot, especially magnesium and potassium which makes amps pretty cardio-toxic aswell.
At therapeutic dose levels benzos are pretty safe and non-toxic (although the nitro benzos are thought to be quite toxic in overdose) but they can cause cognitive degradation in very longterm use.
SSRI's are pretty safe aswell (as far as we know), especially compared to old-school anti-depressants like the tri-cyclics which are toxic as hell to the heart and infact are on a WHO list of drugs that are most toxic in event of overdose.
SSRI's were infact developed because existing psych meds (mainly MAOI's and tri-cyclics) were so dangerous from an overdose and interaction standpoint.
Opiates/oids are pretty much non-toxic (except pethidine which can be toxic with longterm use) and people use them for years and years without issue (other then addiction/dependance) and even in overdose they arent really cardio or neuro-toxic, just very good at making your body forget to breathe.
So, I would say that opiates are the lest toxic followed by benzos and SSRI's (though its earlydays with these) with the worst being amps.
At therapeutic dose levels benzos are pretty safe and non-toxic (although the nitro benzos are thought to be quite toxic in overdose) but they can cause cognitive degradation in very longterm use.
SSRI's are pretty safe aswell (as far as we know), especially compared to old-school anti-depressants like the tri-cyclics which are toxic as hell to the heart and infact are on a WHO list of drugs that are most toxic in event of overdose.
SSRI's were infact developed because existing psych meds (mainly MAOI's and tri-cyclics) were so dangerous from an overdose and interaction standpoint.
Opiates/oids are pretty much non-toxic (except pethidine which can be toxic with longterm use) and people use them for years and years without issue (other then addiction/dependance) and even in overdose they arent really cardio or neuro-toxic, just very good at making your body forget to breathe.
So, I would say that opiates are the lest toxic followed by benzos and SSRI's (though its earlydays with these) with the worst being amps.
dopemegently
Bluelighter
It really depends what you mean by toxic I suppose. From a dependence point of view, I'd put benzos and opiates up there, with benzos taking the top spot; these things can linger for ages, with withdrawals not only lasting for up to 6 months, but they can also be potentially fatal-I'd call that pretty toxic. We all know how addictive opiates are, but in terms of toxicity, these drugs are very mild on the body; they have no long-term negative effects on any major organs.
I really doubt SSRI's are toxic; I've been taking them for eight years now, and recent liver and kidney function tests came back in the green, with very healthy results. I've heard horror stories of people coming off them, but I decided to stop taking them for six months, and felt perfectly normal. I really couldn't comment on the toxicity of amphetamines-I've used them a lot, but its not a drug group I know a lot about. For what it's worth, I was a heavy speed user for 2 years, and I used a hell of a lot of MDMA, until it lost it's "magic"; this was 8 years ago, and I've experienced zero long-term health effects, be it mental or physical.
One drug I've found extremely toxic is alcohol; it just destroys your liver in the long-run, among many other negative effects on health. It's a caustic drug, not to mention DT; in extreme cases these can also prove fatal.
I really doubt SSRI's are toxic; I've been taking them for eight years now, and recent liver and kidney function tests came back in the green, with very healthy results. I've heard horror stories of people coming off them, but I decided to stop taking them for six months, and felt perfectly normal. I really couldn't comment on the toxicity of amphetamines-I've used them a lot, but its not a drug group I know a lot about. For what it's worth, I was a heavy speed user for 2 years, and I used a hell of a lot of MDMA, until it lost it's "magic"; this was 8 years ago, and I've experienced zero long-term health effects, be it mental or physical.
One drug I've found extremely toxic is alcohol; it just destroys your liver in the long-run, among many other negative effects on health. It's a caustic drug, not to mention DT; in extreme cases these can also prove fatal.
sekio
Bluelight Crew
It depends on the dose and the person, you can't really make broad generalizations like that. All have negative side effects if overused or abused or you're susceptible to them, but if used "as directed" can be essentially benign. (Yes, even SSRIs. People complain a lot about them, but the simple fact of the matter is they work well for some individuals.)
this is an incredibly generalized topic, however id say amphetamines are generally the most neuro-toxic. none are particularly more or less damaging to the body, maybe amphetamines t the cardiovascular system.
some opiates can be very toxic, like darvocet, or easily cause damage in the brain, like tramadol, so its not quite that simple
some opiates can be very toxic, like darvocet, or easily cause damage in the brain, like tramadol, so its not quite that simple
Lady Codone
Bluelighter
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I'm gonna go with benzos for the win.
While amphetamines are neurotoxic to a degree, benzos can damage the cerebral cortex with long-term use. (Damage can be seen on brain scans in the form of atrophy--literally brain shrinkage). They might also increase cancer risk, though studies are conflicting. Benzos are a Category D drug known to cause birth defects when taken during pregnancy. There's also talk about a potential link to thyroid problems in some users (though studies in this area were discontinued in the '70s). They most certainly affect endocrine function in some people. Benzo withdrawals can be fatal, which can't be said of the other 3 drug classes mentioned.
And the list goes on.
(I've been reading up on this since going into etizolam withdrawal, and it's damn interesting. I had no clue how dangerous these drugs were for long-term use until I experienced the complications myself).
Personally, I'd rank it as follows (most toxic to least) -
Benzos
Amphetamines
Opiates (methadone and propoxyphene can prolong the Qt interval, causing cardiac arrest)
SSRI's
And yes, I've taken several drugs from each family for extended periods
While amphetamines are neurotoxic to a degree, benzos can damage the cerebral cortex with long-term use. (Damage can be seen on brain scans in the form of atrophy--literally brain shrinkage). They might also increase cancer risk, though studies are conflicting. Benzos are a Category D drug known to cause birth defects when taken during pregnancy. There's also talk about a potential link to thyroid problems in some users (though studies in this area were discontinued in the '70s). They most certainly affect endocrine function in some people. Benzo withdrawals can be fatal, which can't be said of the other 3 drug classes mentioned.
And the list goes on.
(I've been reading up on this since going into etizolam withdrawal, and it's damn interesting. I had no clue how dangerous these drugs were for long-term use until I experienced the complications myself).
Personally, I'd rank it as follows (most toxic to least) -
Benzos
Amphetamines
Opiates (methadone and propoxyphene can prolong the Qt interval, causing cardiac arrest)
SSRI's
And yes, I've taken several drugs from each family for extended periods
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