General
Recreational Drug Terminology
Banisteriopsis caapi - Botanical name of the plant more commonly known as the ayahuasca vine. The plant contains harmala alkaloids and has been used for thousands of years in the traditional preparation of ayahuasca. It is said to be used in the preparation of ayahuasca because it contains an intelligence that can (among other things) reveal the path to follow when one is having emotional or psychological problems. For more information see this.
BC - Before Christ. A Christian way of referring to the years before Jesus Christ.
BCE - Before Common Era. A non-religious way of referring to the years before Jesus Christ. It is the same as BC (Before Christ), 1000 BCE is the same as 1000 BC.
Benzoylecgonine - A chemical produced by the human liver when it processes cocaine. It is excreted in the urine of cocaine users after processing.
Beta-Carboline - An organic amine. Beta-carboline alkaloids are produced by many types of animals and plants. Beta-carboline alkaloids frequently act as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI's).
Betaine - A chemical found in some species of plants. It produces stimulant effects similar those of caffeine.
Betel - Common name of the plant known by the botanical name Piper betle. The leaves from Piper betle are often chewed together with nuts from the Areca catechu and edible lime (calcium hydroxide). The association with Piper betle has caused Areca catechu nuts to become known as betel nuts. For more information see this.
Betel Nut - Common name of the seed produced by Areca catechu. Betel nuts are often mixed with lime and chewed for their stimulating effect. For more information see this.
Betel Nut Tree - Common name of the plant known by the botanical name Areca catechu. For more information see this.
Betel Palm - Common name of the plant known by the botanical name Areca catechu. For more information see this.
Biak - Common name (used in Malaysia) of the plant known by the botanical name Mitragyna speciosa. For more information see this.
Biennial Plant - A plant that usually germinates, flowers and dies in two years. Under some extreme weather conditions a biennial plant can finish its life-cycle in a period of less than a year.
Bine - Similar to a vine but vines have tendrils, suckers, and other means of attaching themselves to aid in climbing. Bines use strong stems with stiff hairs to aid in climbing.
Black Tar Heroin - Dark heroin produced in Mexico, the color and feel of black tar heroin is the result of the crude processing methods used to create it. Purity of good samples ranges from 20% - 80% at the street level. Because opium (the drug heroin is synthesized from) is dark and can resemble tar, some people use the term black tar heroin to refer to raw opium.
Bobo - Slang term for marijuana.
Boraginaceae - A family of plants that includes about 100 genera and over 1900 species.
Botanical Nomenclature - The formal naming of plants (from a scientific point of view). Botanical nomenclature is related to plant taxonomy, but it is a separate field.
Brand Name Drug - The name a company gives to a drug they sell. Pfizer sells sildenafil citrate under the brand name Viagra. McNeil CSP sells acetaminophen under the brand name Tylenol and ibuprofen under the brand name Motrin IB. In 1898, the Bayer company started selling diacetylmorphine under the brand name heroin.
Brugmansia - A genus of flowering plants in the Solanaceae family. All species in the Brugmansia genus are psychoactive and can cause strong hallucinations (as can many members of the Solanaceae family). For more information see this.
Bud - Marijuana flower tops. The most potent part of the plant.
Bufotenin - See bufotenine.
Bufotenine - also called 5-hydroxy-DMT, bufotenine is a hallucinogenic tryptamine. It is found in many plants and was originally isolated from the secretions of bufotoxin produced by toads, especially Bufo alvarius. The chemical structure of 5-hydroxy-DMT is very similar to psilocin found in most types of magic mushrooms. Also spelled bufotenin.
Cactaceae - Botanical name of the family of plants more commonly known as the cactus family. The Cactaceae has (depending upon the authority) between 24 and 220 genera, with around 90 genera being the most widely accepted count, and with anywhere from 1500 to 1800 species.
Cactoideae - A subfamily of the cactus (Cactaceae) family of plants.
Cactus - Common name of the family of plants known by the botanical name Cactaceae family. Most people refer to all members of the Cactaceae family as cactus plants. The words cacti or cactuses can be used to describe more than one cactus plant.
Caffeine - A chemical found in some species of plants. It stimulates the central nervous system to improve mental alertness, as well as reducing physical fatigue and appetite. For more information see this.
Calabar Bean - Dark brown seed of the calabar-bean vine (botanical name Physostigma venenosum). The calabar bean is the source of the drug physostigmine.
Calamus - Common name of the plant known by the botanical name Acorus calamus. For more information see this.
Calcium Hydroxide - Chemical name of the substance more commonly known as edible lime or slaked lime. Calcium hydroxide is sometimes consumed with drugs to aid absorption of the drug in the human body.
Candicine - A chemical produced by various species in the Trichocereus genus. Another chemical produced by species of Trichocereus is mescaline. For more information see this.
Cannabaceae - Botanical name of a family of plants that includes the cannabis genus.
Cannabinoids - The active ingredients in cannabis products like marijuana, hashish, and hashish oil. For more information see this.
Cannabis - Botanical name of a genus of flowering plant that is made up of three species: Cannabis indica, Cannabis sativa, and Cannabis ruderalis. Some species of cannabis can be used to produce hemp or drugs like marijuana, hashish, and hashish oil. For more information see this.
Cannabis afghanica - A subspecies of Cannabis indica that originated in (or near) Afghanistan. Like indica (and unlike sativa), it is a short plant well suited to growing indoors or outdoors to produce marijuana or hashish. Even when grown outdoors, afghanica will only grow to a maximum height of about 6 feet. Cannabis afghanica leaves look similar to Cannabis indica leaves, but they are even wider. The plants have a high cannabinoid content and in Afghanistan they are most often used to produce hashish (rather than marijuana). Seeds are often sold as Afghan or Afghani. For more information see this.
Cannabis indica - A species of cannabis well suited to growing indoors to produce marijuana because it is short and produces a large yield. In comparison to Cannabis sativa (the other species of cannabis grown to produce marijuana), it doesn't grow as tall but it will yield a larger marijuana harvest than a sativa plant of the same size. The THC level of marijuana from indica plants is usually lower than the THC level of marijuana that comes from sativa plants. Grown outdoors, indica plants will not usually get any taller than 8-10 feet. For more information see this.
Cannabis kafiristanica - A subspecies of Cannabis indica that originated around the Indian subcontinent. Cannabis kafiristanica probably originated from Cannabis indica seeds that were utilized in the production of hashish in India and surrounding areas. For more information see this.
Cannabis ruderalis - A species of cannabis not used for hemp or marijuana production. It usually doesn't grow more than 3 feet tall, so it is not used for hemp products because the fibers are too short. It has a low THC content which makes it useless as a source of marijuana. However, the species will do well in cold temperatures that would stunt or kill other species of cannabis and it will flower regardless of photoperiod (length of day). Other species of marijuana require a shorter day to trigger flowering. For more information see this.
Cannabis sativa - A species of cannabis noted for tall plants that can produce a high level of THC. Prized by marijuana growers and users, sativa plants can be hard to grow indoors because they tend to get tall and produce a small yield of marijuana (in comparison to Cannabis indica). Outdoors, the plant can reach heights of 20 feet and produce large amounts of marijuana. For more information see this.
Carolus Linnaeus - Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist born May 23, 1707, died January 10, 1778. He laid the foundations for the modern scheme of botanical nomenclature (the formal naming of plants from a scientific point of view).
Catmint - Common name of the plant known by the botanical name Nepeta cataria. The word catmint is also used as a common name to refer to all members of the Nepeta genus. For more information see this.
Catnip - Common name of the plant known by the botanical name Nepeta cataria. The word catnip is also used as a common name to refer to all members of the Nepeta genus. For more information see this.
CBC (Cannabichromene) - Is one of the active ingredients of cannabis. For more information see this.
CBD (Cannabidiol) - Is one of the active ingredients of cannabis. For more information see this.
CBL (Cannabicyclol) - Is one of the active ingredients of cannabis. For more information see this.
CBN (Cannabinol) - Is one of the active ingredients of cannabis. For more information see this.
Cebil - A type of hallucinogenic snuff produced from the seeds of the Anadenanthera colubrina tree. For more information see this.
Central Nervous System (CNS) - The part of the human nervous system made up of the brain and spinal cord.
C-glycosylfavones - One of the main psychoactive chemicals in Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata). For more information see this.
Chacruna: Common name of the plant known by the botanical name Psychotria viridis. The foliage (leaves) of the plant contain DMT and have been used for thousands of years in the traditional preparation of ayahuasca. For more information see this
Chaliponga: Common name of the plant known by the botanical name Diplopterys cabrerana. The foliage (leaves) of the plant contain DMT and have been used for thousands of years in the traditional preparation of ayahuasca. For more information see this
Charas - Word used in India to refer to hashish.
Chicha - A psychoactive drink that can be made from a variety of fermented beverages. It can be made from fruits, maize, or other similar substances. Ground seeds of Brugmansia can be mixed in to make it more potent.
Chihuahuan Desert - largest desert in North America. Part of the desert is in the USA, the other in Mexico.
Chronic - A slang term for better than average (high quality) marijuana.
Circadian Rhythm - A cycle in the physiological processes of living beings, including algae, animals, fungi, and plants. A circadian rhythm lasts about 24 hours. The circadian rhythm is thought to control many biological processes including alertness, digestion, sleep, and hormonal activity. A change in a persons circadian cycle (jet lag for example) will require a period of readjustment.
Class Of Drugs - A group of drugs that all have at least one thing in common. A drug can belong to one, or more classes of drugs.
Claviceps - Botanical name of a genus of fungi more commonly known as ergot. Fungi from the Claviceps genus can develop and feed on certain grains and grasses. LSD was first synthesized from Claviceps purpurea, a species of ergot that affects rye plants.
CNS - See central nervous system.
Coca Plant - Common name of the pant known by the botanical name Erythroxylon coca. It is commonly used for the production of South American cocaine. For more information see this.
Cocaethylene - A chemical that is formed in the human body when cocaine is consumed with alcohol. The combination of cocaine and alcohol is more potent than cocaine alone, and it is harder on the heart.
Cognition - Information processing and thinking of an individual or group.
Cola - Botanical name of a genus of plants in the Malvaceae family (Sterculiaceae subfamily). For thousands of years, kola nut seeds have been ingested by humans for the euphoria and physical stimulation they produce, as well as for medical purposes. For more information see this.
Cola acuminata - One of the two species of Cola most often cultivated for human consumption. For more information see this.
Cola nitida - One of the two species of Cola most often cultivated for human consumption. For more information see this.
Comment Ca Flippe - Slang term meaning 'how are you'. Also spelled 'comment ca flip'.
Commercial Grade Marijuana - Standard street grade of good marijuana. Not as good as premium grade marijuana, but it does the job for most users.
Compositae - Botanical name of a family of plants more commonly known as the daisy or sunflower family.
Constipation - A condition where bowel movements happen less often than usual, or when bowel movements consist of stools that are difficult and/or painful to pass.
Consume - To ingest or use up.
Consumer - An entity that consumes something.
Convolvulaceae - An order of plants in the Solanaceae family. Also spelled Convulvulaceae, the order is more commonly known as the bindweed or morning glory order. Convolvulaceae is a group of about 60 genera and over 1,650 species. Most members are vines but the order also includes herbs, shrubs, and trees.
Convulsion - Condition of the human body characterized by violent and uncontrolled shaking of the voluntary muscles.
Cotyledon - The leaf or leaves of a plant embryo, also called seed leaves.
Crack - A form of cocaine ideally suited to smoking.
Cracker - Used to pierce a whippet and direct the nitrous oxide contained inside. For more information see this.
Cracker - Slang term for a white person. Usually pronounced cracka in everyday usage. Example: Hey Tyrone, let's get a posse together and catch that cracka ass cracka. He stole my hub caps.
Crackhead - A person that uses too much crack.
Cross - Plants of two distinct types that are mated to produce a new distinct type of plant. Crosses are attempted in order to isolate desired characteristics of the parent plants while eliminating or minimizing undesired characteristics. The product of crossing Thai and Skunk strains of marijuana would result in a new strain that would be written Thai x Skunk (pronounced Thai crossed with Skunk).
Cultivar - The word cultivar is a shortened form of the term cultivated variety. A cultivated variety is usually a plant that has been produced by agricultural or horticultural techniques. They are not normally found in nature, but sometimes mutants found in nature are collected and propagated by man (thus becoming a cultivated variety). To be considered a cultivar, a plant has to receive a name under the ICNCP. To get it, a plant must be distinct from other cultivars and it must be possible to propagate it reliably. Cultivar is not a legal term, it is used in botanical nomenclature only. Recommended abbreviation cv. (as in Trichocereus cv. Tom Juul's Giant).
Cultivate - To encourage plant growth by providing enriched growing conditions.
Cultivated Variety - See cultivar.
Damiana - Common name of the plant known by the botanical name Turnera diffusa. For more information see this.
D-amphetamine - A stimulant drug in the amphetamine family. It is the second most potent member of the amphetamine family. Also called dexamphetamine or dextroamphetamine , it has been sold by drug companies under the brand name Dexedrine. For more information see this.
Deciduous - A botanical term for plants that lose all their leaves for part of the year. Other plants that keep their leaves all year round are called evergreen plants. Deciduous trees are commonly called hardwood trees because the wood they produce is often harder (in comparison with softer types of wood like pine), but there are species of softwood trees that produce wood that is as hard as oak, or other types of hardwood.
Desoxyephedrine - A stimulant drug in the amphetamine family. It is the most potent member of the amphetamine family. Also called methamphetamine or methylamphetamine, it has been sold by drug companies under the brand name Methedrine. For more information see this.
DET - A synthetic tryptamine that produces effects that are similar to DMT. When DET is taken in the same size doses as DMT it does not produce as intense visuals as DMT does. However, the effects of DET last longer than the effects of DMT. Like DMT, DET must be combined with MAOI's to become active orally. DET can also be smoked or injected.
Dexamphetamine - A stimulant drug in the amphetamine family. It is the second most potent member of the amphetamine family. Also called d-amphetamine or dextroamphetamine, it has been sold by drug companies under the brand name Dexedrine. For more information see this.
Dextroamphetamine - A stimulant drug in the amphetamine family. It is the second most potent member of the amphetamine family. Also called d-amphetamine or dexamphetamine, it has been sold by drug companies under the brand name Dexedrine. For more information see this.
Diacetylmorphine - Chemical name of heroin. The name heroin was given to the drug as a brand name (by the Bayer company). For more information see
this.
Digestive Tract - The system of organs within humans (and other animals) that consumes food, digests it, and expels the remaining waste.
Dimethyltryptamine - see DMT.
Diplopterys cabrerana: Botanical name of the plant more commonly known as chaliponga. The foliage (leaves) of the plant contain DMT and have been used for thousands of years in the traditional preparation of ayahuasca. For more information see this
Dissociative Drug - Term used to refer to a class of drugs that block or reduce signals reaching the conscious mind from other parts of the brain and body. Dissociative drugs include PCP, ketamine, laughing gas (nitrous oxide), and other similar drugs.
Diuretic - A substance that acts on the kidneys and causes a person to urinate. Used to treat some medical conditions like congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and liver disease.
DMT - Common name of the substance known by the chemical name N,N-dimethyltryptamine. It is a naturally occurring chemical secreted by the pineal gland (in humans). It also occurs in hundreds of plant species. Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) can produce very powerful visionary effects when smoked or injected. It can be taken orally in the form of the drink known as ayahuasca, as well as by other methods. For more information see this.
DPT - A synthetic tryptamine that produces effects that are similar to DMT. DPT is taken in smaller doses than DMT, the effects last longer, and there fewer side effects. DPT does not produce as intense visuals as DMT does. Like DMT, DPT must be combined with MAOI's to become active orally. DPT can also be smoked or injected.
Drachm - see dram.
Dram - Also spelled drachm, is a unit of measure equal to 1/16th of an ounce (about 1.77185 grams).
Drater - A person that is acting dumb. The word is formed by spelling retard backwards.
Dysentery - An inflammation of the lower intestinal tract, it usually causes fever, pain, and severe diarrhea.
Dyspepsia - Chronic or recurring disturbed digestion that may be accompanied by symptoms such as bloating, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen.
Edible Lime - Common name of the substance known by the chemical name calcium hydroxide. Edible lime is sometimes consumed with drugs to aid absorption of the drug in the human body.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) - See electroshock therapy.
Electroshock Therapy - A psychiatric treatment that passes electricity through the brain.
Emetic - A substance that causes nausea and vomiting.
Emmenagogue - Herbs that stimulate blood flow to the pelvic area and provoke menstruation.
Entheogen - Plants or chemicals that induce religious ecstasy or visions.
Entity - In a state of being or existing. An animal, company, person, plant, or anything that exists can be considered an entity.
Epinephrine - A stimulant produced by the human body. Similar in chemical structure to amphetamines. Also called adrenaline.
Ergine - Common name of the substance with the chemical name lysergic acid amide. Other common names include LSA and LA-111. Ergine is very similar in chemical structure and effect to LSD. For more information see this.
Ergot - Common name of over 50 species of fungus in the Claviceps genus. These fungi can develop and feed on certain grains and grasses. LSD was first synthesized from a species of ergot (botanical name Claviceps purpurea) that affects rye plants.
Eructate - To burp or belch.
Erythroxylum - A genus in the Erythroxylaceae family. There are around 250 species of plants in the Erythroxylum (also called Erythroxylon) genus. At least 17 produce cocaine. Only a few of these 17 species are commonly used for the production of South American cocaine because they produce a larger yield than the others. For more information see this.
Erythroxylum coca - Botanical name of the plant more commonly known as coca. It is commonly used for the production of South American cocaine. For more information see this.
Eserine - An alkaloid (C15H21N3O2) extracted from the calabar bean. Also called physostigmine. It is used to enhance memory in patients with Alzheimer's disease. It is used as a drug to cause pupillary constriction and it is used to enhance the effects mediated by acetylcholine in the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), or both.
Esoteric - Information that is intended for or understood by a particular group, not the general public.
Ethnobotany - The study of how and why people use and think of plants in their local environments.
Ethnopharmacology - The study of the substances used by different ethnic and cultural groups as medicines.
Ethnopharmacy - The study of the perception and use of medicines within a human society.
Evergreen - A botanical term for plants that keep their leaves all year round. Other plants that lose all their leaves for part of the year are called deciduous plants. Evergreen trees are commonly called softwood trees because the wood they produce is often soft (in comparison with harder types of wood like oak), but there are species of softwood trees that produce wood that is as hard as oak, or other types of hardwood.
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