The most damaging drug

All recreational drugs have certain negative effects on our bodies, but not all drugs are the same. Different drugs have varying effects, some are more harmful than others. All of the drugs are damaging to our societies in various ways and again the extent of damage depends on the type of drug.

In 2010 researchers led by Professor David Nutt, former chief drug advisor of the British government, asked drug experts to rank 20 legal and illegal drugs on measures of harm to the user and to the society, such as damage to the health, addiction, economic costs, crime, etc. Drugs were given a score from 0 to 100.

Now, try guessing which is the most damaging drug. Heroin? Cocaine? Crack? If these were your guesses you were wrong. According to this research alcohol creates the most damage to the society and it is fourth most damaging drug to the user. See the chart.

Although this study was done in the UK and the situation in other countries might be different, it shows how dangerous alcohol is. I’m not advocating prohibition or any kind of bans, because they are always counter-productive, but this is something we should keep in mind. Alcohol is widely available, easily obtainable and the border between casual use and overuse (abuse) is often very thin.

Drink responsibly or don’t drink at all.

Electronic cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes devices designed to deliver nicotine vapor to a person without combustion of tobacco. They look and feel like regular cigarettes, but they don’t produce any smoke. The nicotine is drawn from cartridge and vaporized by the vaporizer unit. What smokers inhale through the mouthpiece is nicotine and water vapor.  Cartridges can be refilled and the battery of the vaporizer unit can be recharged via USB port or a dedicated charger similar to the one that mobile phones use.

There are several benefits to electronic cigarettes. First of all smokers and the people around them are not exposed to many toxic substances found in tobacco smoke. There is no carbon-monoxide, tar and eye-stinging smoke. The second important advantage is that the level of nicotine can be controlled. This makes electronic cigarettes ideal for smokers who are trying to quit. The level of nicotine can gradually be reduced so that the person does not experience physical withdrawal. There are minor benefits as well: nicotine refill or replacement cartridges are often cheaper than traditional cigarettes. Because there is no amber, electronic cigarettes are not a fire risk. There is less waste involved in using electronic cigarettes, smokers don’t discard butts each time.

However, it must be pointed out that electronic cigarettes are not safe products. Nicotine is an addictive drug with many adverse effects on human body. The behavioral characteristics of nicotine addiction are similar to those of heroin and cocaine, nicotine is carcinogenic substance and it can cause birth defects.

So, electronic cigarettes are good for people who are trying to quit smoking, or for die hard tobacco addicts, but don’t think that you can use them without any side effects.