synthetic drugs
Chemically manufactured intoxicants
Synthetic drugs are psychoactive substances manufactured in laboratories rather than derived from plants.
The term usually refers to designer drugs engineered to mimic the effects of controlled substances while evading drug laws—synthetic cannabinoids (sold as "Spice" or "K2"), synthetic cathinones ("bath salts"), and similar compounds.
Because their chemical structures are constantly modified to stay ahead of regulations, synthetic drugs often carry unpredictable risks: The emergency room saw a spike in overdoses from synthetic drugs.
- methamphetamineAddictive synthetic stimulant drug
- tryptaminesIndole-based psychoactive alkaloid class
- opioidsReceptor-binding pain relievers
- controlled substancesLegally regulated intoxicants
- benzodiazepinesSedative-hypnotic drug class
analgesics · fentanyl · cannabinoids · hallucinogens · clandestine · pill press · stimulants · ketamine · heroin · cocaine · bath salts · spice · alkaloids · test positive · narcotics · sedatives · psychoactive · pills
- drugsibuprofen, marijuana, aspirin, meth, cocaine
- pharmaceuticalsanalgesics, medicines, anesthetics, pills, acetaminophen
- substance abuseaddiction, abuse, alcohol abuse, substance use, substance misuse
- Synthetic Materialsnylon, polyester, acrylic, polymer, plastic
- drug policynarcotics, decriminalization, cannabis legalization, controlled substances, prohibition
- drug testingurine tests, blood test, blood tests, hair test, saliva test
synthetic drugsphytochemicals
Bioactive plant-derived compounds
herbal remedies · natural substances · medicinal plants · opium · cannabis