Buzz
Known as Moonshine, Vino, or Liquid Courage, alcohol has many nicknames. The 21st Amendment, passed on December 5, 1933, marked the end of Prohibition in the United States. Since then, alcohol, with its allure of fleeting euphoria, has become a staple in bars and eateries nationwide. However, the societal impact of alcohol extends far beyond a mere headache. According to JAMA Psychiatry, alcoholism rates surged by 49 percent in the first ten years of the 2000s, with approximately one in eight Americans showing signs of alcohol dependency.
Despite the ongoing opioid epidemic, alcohol ranks as the third leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. Each year, 88,000 deaths are linked to alcohol, placing it behind only poor diet, physical inactivity, and tobacco use in terms of lethality. While some argue that alcohol's higher fatality rate is due to its widespread availability, a group of British researchers contends that it is inherently more dangerous than substances like crack or heroin.
Assessing a drug's danger involves more than just counting fatalities. One approach is to evaluate the ratio between a lethal dose and a typical effective dose. The ten substances listed below are less deadly than alcohol by two key metrics. First, they result in fewer deaths overall. Second, the margin between an effective dose and a lethal dose is significantly wider.
10. Caffeine
The exact lethal dose of caffeine remains unclear. Studies indicate that caffeine tolerance varies significantly among individuals, with women generally more sensitive to its effects than men. As a central nervous system stimulant, caffeine stands out as the only widely accessible psychoactive substance with minimal regulatory restrictions.
It’s crucial to differentiate between caffeine, present in numerous products, and coffee, a popular caffeinated drink. A standard cup of coffee contains about 100 milligrams of caffeine, posing little risk. Even decaf coffee includes a small amount of caffeine, typically a few milligrams.
However, there have been rare reports of caffeine overdoses, often linked to unconventional forms like pills or powder, where excessive amounts are consumed quickly. To reach a lethal dose from coffee alone, an individual weighing around 68 kilograms (150 lb) would need to consume over 50 cups in one sitting. This is worth remembering the next time you consider adding an extra espresso shot to your drink.
9. Cocaine
Cocaine is undeniably hazardous. In 2015, it was linked to over 7,000 deaths, making it the most lethal stimulant associated with overdoses, outpacing other stimulants like amphetamine and methamphetamine. While cocaine, like caffeine, stimulates the central nervous system and is a major export in Latin America, it rapidly activates the brain’s reward pathway, creating a powerful and addictive effect.
Cocaine exemplifies how a drug's pharmacology influences behavior and addiction. It functions by inhibiting dopamine reuptake in the brain's synapses, allowing dopamine to accumulate and produce intense euphoria. However, excessive use can lead to mood swings, hallucinations, nasal septum damage, and psychosis. Combining cocaine with alcohol creates cocaethylene, a compound potentially 30 percent more toxic than cocaine alone, increasing the risks significantly.
8. Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is a colorless, non-flammable gas with a faint metallic scent. It induces a strong sense of light-headedness and is widely used in medicine as an anesthetic and pain reliever. Recognized by the World Health Organization as an essential medicine, nitrous oxide has a rich history in both medical and recreational contexts.
Discovered in the late 18th century, nitrous oxide quickly became a popular party favor among the British elite. The image of the upper class indulging in Victorian-era whip-its is both amusing and historically significant. Initially dismissed by the medical community, nitrous oxide eventually gained acceptance for its practical applications. Today, it is used not only in healthcare but also as a rocket oxidizer and a performance enhancer in automotive racing.
7. Ketamine
Ketamine, often dubbed “Special K,” is widely known as a horse tranquilizer. This reputation has made it a popular choice in party scenes across the Atlantic. In the U.S., it is classified as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act and is frequently used as an anesthetic in both pediatric and veterinary medicine. As a dissociative anesthetic, ketamine shares similarities with PCP and DXM, altering sensory perceptions and creating a detached state.
Recent studies highlight ketamine’s potential beyond anesthesia. At Mytour, we’ve previously discussed its groundbreaking role as a medical advancement in treating depression. Yale University research indicates that ketamine, when used correctly, can repair brain regions damaged by chronic stress and exhaustion. However, misuse of ketamine can lead to the infamous “K-Hole,” a disorienting and intense experience akin to a black hole for the mind.
6. Marijuana
We can’t overlook marijuana, often called weed or the unofficial symbol of April 20th. It ranks among the least harmful psychoactive substances globally. Despite this, it remains classified as a Schedule I drug under the outdated Controlled Substances Act, prohibiting its cultivation and use federally. However, states like California and Colorado have bypassed this by legalizing it through state referendums. In 2012, Colorado’s voter turnout reached over 80 percent, the highest in the nation that year, reflecting widespread support. Marijuana’s medicinal benefits, such as aiding those with glaucoma, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and anxiety, contribute to its popularity, despite federal restrictions.
This list focuses on substances less deadly than alcohol. So, how dangerous is marijuana? Fatal overdoses are virtually impossible. It’s one of the few drugs with no recorded overdose deaths. That doesn’t mean reckless behavior, like driving under the influence, won’t be harmful. However, the body cannot absorb enough THC, marijuana’s active compound, to cause an overdose. You’d need to consume hundreds of pounds in minutes to reach lethal levels. The verdict is clear: marijuana is far less toxic than alcohol.
5. MDMA
MDMA, short for methylenedioxymethamphetamine (a 29-letter word), is also known as ecstasy. First synthesized by German chemists in 1912, it combines properties of methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline, which also appears later on this list.
MDMA triggers various chemical reactions in the body, often intensified when mixed with other substances. It floods the brain with serotonin, creating feelings of euphoria, empathy, and calm that can last hours. However, this is followed by a harsh comedown, marked by depression and exhaustion.
MDMA overdoses have been reported at raves and concerts, where users face risks like dehydration and, in extreme cases, heart failure. The primary danger of MDMA lies in its impurity; it is often mixed with various substances that can be toxic and harmful to health.
4. Codeine
Codeine is the only opiate featured on this list. Opiates, when used correctly, are intended to manage moderate to severe pain. Codeine also serves as a cough suppressant, frequently combined with acetaminophen or NSAIDs. Its presence in cough syrup has contributed to the opioid crisis in the U.S. Some individuals, drawn by slang terms like “syrup” or “lean,” mistakenly view codeine as a safer alternative to more potent opioids like oxycodone or heroin.
Cough syrup containing codeine is often mixed with promethazine, which induces sedation. Since both codeine and promethazine depress the central nervous system, overdose can result in respiratory failure. Teenagers are particularly at risk, with one in ten admitting to using cough syrup recreationally in 2014. Despite its potential for misuse, codeine does not pose the same widespread societal threat as alcohol.
3. Mescaline
The last substance on this list, less deadly than alcohol, is mescaline, a hallucinogenic compound. Interestingly, overdosing on mescaline is more likely than with LSD or psilocybin. Mescaline is a natural hallucinogen, primarily found in the peyote cactus. Although chemically distinct from LSD and psilocybin, using any of these substances can lead to cross-tolerance with the others.
Mescaline’s use dates back to the Pre-Columbian era, where the Aztecs revered peyote for its spiritual properties. Interestingly, some researchers believe mescaline and similar hallucinogens could hold the key to treating alcoholism, bringing this list to a hopeful conclusion.
2. Psilocybin
Unlike LSD, which was synthesized in a lab, psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic found in various mushroom species, often called “magic mushrooms” or “shrooms.” While LSD’s history spans less than a century, psilocybin mushrooms have been used for spiritual and ritual purposes for thousands of years.
In terms of toxicity, pure psilocybin, similar to LSD, is almost impossible to overdose on. A lethal dose would require consuming over 1,000 times the typical effective amount, making it significantly safer than alcohol. When psilocybin entered Western culture, its potential for mental health treatment was recognized. Today, researchers are exploring its use in addressing various mental health conditions, sparking renewed interest in its therapeutic benefits.
1. LSD
LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, has a history as intriguing as its effects. Swiss scientist Albert Hofmann first synthesized it in 1938 while studying ergot, a grain fungus. In 1943, Hofmann accidentally ingested LSD and experienced vivid hallucinations. Three days later, he intentionally took a larger dose, marking the first deliberate LSD trip in history.
LSD is a powerful hallucinogen, altering auditory, visual, and sensory perceptions. The CIA conducted controversial experiments with LSD under the MK-ULTRA program. While LSD itself is nearly impossible to overdose on—requiring 1,000 times the average dose—its influence can lead to risky behavior, making it potentially dangerous despite its low toxicity.
