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Ecodrugs/mushrooms

What is it?
Ecodrugs include all natural products with psychedelic effects. This involves plants and herbs with known hallucinogenic, sedative or stimulating effects. Psychedelic mushrooms are among the most common ecodrugs.

Illicit
Dried mushrooms contain psylocibin, which is included in the Dutch Narcotics Act of illicit substances. Many people consider ecodrugs to be a healthier and 'lighter' alternative for alcohol and chemical drugs, such as XTC or LSD. This could be a misconception, however.

What are the consequences?
It is not whether these substances always have healthy effects. If you have a healthy diet, you do not need ecodrugs to get more energy. Too many vitamins could even be harmful to the body. The effects of ecodrugs often only last a little while. When using ecodrugs, you run a large risk of becoming psychologically dependent.

For example, psylocibin is an illicit drug which rapidly causes habituation. This means that after a while, you no longer have the same effect. Therefore, you need more in order to get the effect you want. Discontinuing the use of mushrooms will not cause physical detoxification symptoms. Due to their heavy effects, mushrooms are not very popular. The use of some ecodrugs causes serious poisoning symptoms. A number of substances contain ingredients with unknown effects. High dosages of stimulating substances can be dangerous for people with cardiovascular conditions.

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Meer informatie

What is addiction?
Addiction... your life gets off track. Drugs, alcohol, medicines or gambling, for example, become the main focus of your life.
When are you addicted?
Before you can determine whether or not you are addicted, you have to know what addiction is.
How can you break with addiction?
It can be very difficult for you to stop using addictive substances. But change is also a possibility for you!
Alcohol
Alcohol is formed when yeast transforms the sugars in fruits into alcohol. Different kinds of grains can also be used for the production of alcohol.
Hashish
Hashish (stuff) is extracted from the hemp plant, which is also called cannabis sativa. Hashish is the resin of the hemp plant that is pressed in chunks and cut into little parts for sale.
Heroin
Heroin is an opioid (narcotic drug), which is extracted from the poppy plant. If you cut into the unripe seedpods of the poppy plant, you derive a milky substance.
LSD
LSD is manufactured from lysergic acid. It is usually eaten as a paper trip. It is also sold as small bright-coloured tablets. Just a small dose of LSD is sufficient to experience a trip.
Smartdrugs/smartproducts
Smartdrugs are often confused with smartproducts. Smartdrugs are medicines, however, that are prescribed to treat forgetfulness, dementia and epilepsy.
Speed
Speed or amphetamine is a chemically manufactured stimulant. Its effects are similar to the effects of cocaine but the effects last longer.
Tobacco
Tobacco consists of the dried and cut leaves of the tobacco plant. Tobacco that is being smoked usually consists of several kinds of tobacco, aromatic substances and flavourings
Weed
Weed is more commonly called marihuana. It is extracted from the hemp plant, also called cannabis sativa. Weed consists of the dried tops of the plant and usually has a green colour.
XTC (ecstasy)
XTC is a chemically manufactured drug, which is most commonly used during weekends and at parties. XTC does not only have a stimulant but also a mind-altering effect.
Gambling
In gambling, there are two core elements: money and chance.
Eating disorder
There are several kinds of eating disorders. Anorexia and bulimia nervosa are the most common ones.