Users feel relaxed with a sense of well-being and may have a sharper sense of colours and sounds. Many become very talkative and have bouts of uncontrollable giggling. Some users feel the urge to eat, commonly known as 'the munchies'.
Short term risks: first time users may feel confused and distressed. Anxiety, panic and suspicion are not uncommon. Cannabis use damages the ability to learn and carry out many tasks, including operating machinery and driving vehicles.
Long term risks: regular heavy use may lead to development or worsening of mental health problems including paranoia, schizophrenia, psychosis, depression and anxiety. Smoked with tobacco, it increases health risks associated with lung tobacco use, for example: lung cancer, bronchitis, and other respiratory disorders, and can lead to nicotine addiction. Very heavy cannabis use can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
Things to look out for include large cigarette papers (skins) and home made filters (roaches). Also common are plastic bottles with straws sticking out of them (bongs) and Clingfilm packages.
Short term risks: larger doses can cause drowsiness, sickness, disorientation, convulsions, coma and breathing difficulties. GHB has been linked to drug assisted sexual assault ('date rape') when mixed with alcohol.
Long term risks: the long-term effects are not well understood at this time.
Ketamine
This usually comes in the form of a white powder (sometimes in tablet from sold as ecstasy) or a liquid. It is swallowed, inhaled or injected.
It is a powerful anaesthetic used on humans and animals and it can produce 'out of body' experiences, numbness and hallucinations.
Short term risks: it can cause problems with vision, loss of co-ordination, and frightening hallucinations that require assistance and reassurance from others. It is particularly dangerous if used in combination with depressants such as alcohol or heroin. It can make some mental health problems worse.
Long term risks: prolonged use can cause disorientation and detachment from reality but the long-term effects are not well understood at this time.
