Updated on August 29, 2024
2 min read
What Are the Seven Types of Drugs?
Medically Reviewed by
Elena Borrelli M.S.PAC
Written by
Nicko Estrellado
Key Takeaways
- Opioids relieve pain but pose a high addiction risk.
- Depressants induce relaxation yet have sedative dangers.
- Hallucinogens cause altered perceptions and other risks.
- Dissociatives lead to detachment and potential harm.
- Inhalants offer a quick high with various health risks.
- Cannabis acts as a psychoactive with medicinal and abuse potential.
What Are the Seven Types of Drugs?
There are seven different types of drugs, and pharmacologists categorize them based on how they affect the body. Some drugs slow down bodily functions, while others speed them up.
Each type of drug has its own set of characteristics and risks. Additionally, each of these drugs can be dangerous and highly addictive.
Here are the different types of drugs and what they do:
- Stimulants: Increase activity in the central nervous system resulting in increased heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness.
- Opioids: Powerful painkillers that provide a sense of euphoria, reduce pain, and cause drowsiness. It’s also typically used to treat people experiencing severe pain.
- Depressants: Affect the central nervous system and slow it down. This can help people feel relaxed and is prescribed for anxiety or insomnia.
- Hallucinogens: Disrupts brain activity and sensory perceptions, resulting in hallucinations.
- Dissociatives: Interfere with the brain’s receptors for glutamate, a chemical responsible for cognition and emotionality, resulting in an out-of-body experience.
- Inhalants: Volatile substances that produce chemical vapors. These vapors can cause a feeling of euphoria or mind-altering effects.
- Cannabis: Commonly known as marijuana. Cannabis is a drug that causes hallucinogenic and depressant-like effects.
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Examples and Associated Risks
Not all of these drugs are illicit. Some can be purchased over-the-counter or prescribed by a doctor. In some cases, they’re even found in common household products.
| Drug type | Examples | Risks |
| Stimulants | Adderal, Ritalin, synthetic marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, ecstasy, and caffiene | Anxiety, paranoia, psychosis, high body temperature, depression, heart failure, stroke, seizures |
| Opioids | Heroin, morphine, hydrocodone, opium, Norco, OxyContin, Percocet, and Codeine | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, inability to sleep, Hot and cold flashes, excessive sweating, muscle cramps,runny nose, and watery eyes |
| Depressants | Barbiturates, phenobarbital, pentobarbital, benzodiazepines, Xanax, Valium, and Alcohol | Confusion, dizziness, extreme sleepiness, slowed heart rate, difficulty speaking, inability to concentrate, lack of coordination, labored or shallow breathing, and death |
| Hallucinogens | Psilocybin (mushrooms), peyote (mescaline), and LSD (acid) | Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, fear, distorted cognition, paranoia, psychosis, anxiety, increased blood pressure, nausea |
| Dissociatives | Ketamine, DXM (Dextromethorphan), and PCP (phencyclidine) | Depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, speech difficulties, social withdrawal, hallucinations, detachment from reality, numbness, and memory loss |
| Inhalants | Marker, paint, paint thinner, gasoline, glue fumes, nitrous oxide, aerosol sprays, and room deodorizers | Loss of smell, brain damage, nosebleeds, weakness, euphoria, increased heart rate, loss of consciousness, hallucinations, and slurred speech |
| Cannabis | Marijuana leaves, hashish, hash oil, and cannabis-based medicines (Sativex) | Lowered immunity to illness, depression, chronic anxiety, reduced sperm count, sedation, slowed reaction times, enhanced senses (seeing brighter colors), and an impaired sense of time |
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Updated on August 29, 2024
- NIDA. “What classes of prescription drugs are commonly misused?” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2021
- NIDA. “Prescription Depressant Medications.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2021
- NIDA. “What Are the Effects of Common Dissociative Drugs on the Brain and Body?” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020
- NIDA. “What are the other medical consequences of inhalant abuse?” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020
- DEA “Marijuana/Cannabis.” Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration, 2020
- NIDA. “What are Inhalants?” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2022.
- “7 Drug Categories.” The IACP.
Elena Borrelli M.S.PAC
Medical Reviewer
She has worked in healthcare for 20 years, in diverse clinical settings, including surgery, trauma, emergency medicine, primary care, women’s health, and quality management. Over the years, Borrelli has maintained various leadership roles. In addition, Borrelli has authored several publications and lectured on various healthcare-related topics.
Nicko Estrellado
Content Contributor
Nicko Estrellado leverages his literature degree and passion for empowering readers with knowledge to create accessible addiction resources. With 3 years writing experience focused on simplifying health topics through research, he provides informative content so audiences can confidently assess care options meeting their needs.
