General

Recreational Drug Terminology

Magic Mushrooms - Common name given to psychoactive mushrooms in the Psilocybe genus. The term magic mushroom has been used to refer to any mushroom with psychoactive or psychedelic properties. However, when buying or growing magic mushrooms, Psilocybe are the type of mushroom people expect. A better term for mushrooms with psychoactive or psychedelic properties (other than those in the Psilocybe genus) is psychoactive mushroom.

Malady - An ailment, disease, or disorder. The plural form is maladies.

Malpighiaceae - A family of flowering plants in the order Malpighiales.

Malpighiales - A large order of flowering plants.

Malvaceae - The botanical name of a family of plants in the Malvales order. Commonly called the mallow family.

Mammillaria - A genus in the Cactaceae (more commonly called the cactus) family. Mammillaria is one of the largest genera in the Cactaceae family, it has over 170 known species and varieties.

MAOI - Also known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors. A type of chemical that can stimulate the central nervous system (CNS) by inhibiting the metabolism of serotonin and other monoamines. This inhibition of the break-down of serotonin in the human body makes MAOI's effective antidepressants. However, MAOI's may cause death (in rare cases) when certain types of foods are consumed while taking them. For this reason, MAOI's are not usually prescribed to treat depression.

Marijuana - The drug made from the dried flowers of cannabis plants that have a THC concentration of over 2%. Cannabis plants with a THC concentration under 2% are considered hemp plants.

Marinol - Synthetic THC available by prescription.

Melatonin - A hormone that can be found in all living creatures. In humans (and other higher animals) melatonin is produced by the GI tract, pineal gland, and retina. Melatonin is an antioxidant, it helps regulate sleep-wake cycles (circadian rhythms), and may help the body fight disease.

Mescaline - A natural chemical produced by some types of cactus plants. The most well known mescaline cacti are the peyote cactus (botanical name Lophophora williamsii) and the san pedro cactus (botanical name Trichocereus pachanoi). Mescaline is a mind expanding drug that can cause dream-like visions, euphoria, hallucinations, mystical experiences, lessening of the ego, spiritual experiences, and visuals. Negative effects may include anxiety, dizziness, headache, and nausea. For more information see this.

Mesembrenol - An alkaloid found in Sceletium tortuosum (kanna). For more information see this.

Mesembrenone - An alkaloid found in Sceletium tortuosum (kanna). For more information see this.

Mesembrine - The primary active chemical in Sceletium tortuosum (kanna). For more information see this.

Mesembryanthemum tortuosum - Sceletium tortuosum. For more information see this.

Metal Halide (MH) - A type of HID light that produces a large amount of energy in the blue end of the color spectrum. MH lighting can be used during the growth (vegetative) phase of plants (like marijuana) that are grown indoors.

Methamphetamine - A stimulant drug in the amphetamine family. It is the most potent member of the amphetamine family. Also called methylamphetamine or desoxyephedrine, it has been sold by drug companies under the brand name Methedrine. For more information see this.

Methylamine - A primary amine that can be used to manufacture amphetamines. Because of this, it is on the DEA watch-list for chemical precursors.

Methylamphetamine - A stimulant drug in the amphetamine family. It is the most potent member of the amphetamine family. Also called methamphetamine or desoxyephedrine, it has been sold by drug companies under the brand name Methedrine. For more information see this.

Mickey Finn - Any drug laced drink given to an unsuspecting victim in order to incapacitate them (also called knockout drops). A mixture of chloral hydrate and alcohol is thought to have been the original Mickey Finn. For more information see this.

Mimosa hostilis - The botanical name of the plant more commonly known as jurema. Often used for its DMT content in the preparation of ayahuasca analogs. For more information see this.

Mimosa tenuiflora - Older botanical name of the plant now referred to as Mimosa hostilis.

Mitragyna speciosa - Botanical name of the plant more commonly known as kratom. When leaves from the plant are ingested, one of the effects is pain relief similar to that of a mild opioid like codeine or propoxyphene. For more information see this.

Mitragynine - One of the main active chemicals produced by the kratom plant (botanical name Mitragyna speciosa). Scientific studies have shown that mitragynine has opioid agonistic activity. In other words it produces effects similar to opioids, by binding to some of the same brain receptors that opioids (codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, etcetera) do. Mitragynine may be an effective way for some people to ween themselves from opioids. For more information about kratom see this.

Mitraphylline - One of the main active chemicals produced by the kratom plant (botanical name Mitragyna speciosa). For more information about kratom see this.

Monoamine Oxidase - Enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of monoamines. In humans, MAO-A and MAO-B are found in neurons and astroglia, singular abbreviation MAO.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor - See MAOI.

Monoamines - Types of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators that contain one amino group that is connected to an aromatic ring by a two-carbon chain, dopamine, epinephrine (adrenaline), histamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), octopamine, serotonin, and tyramine are monoamines.

Monocot - A group of flowering plants that is comprised of about 60,000 species. Includes orchids, rice, wheat, maize, bamboo, and many other types of plants.

Monocotyledon - See Monocot.

Monocotyledonous - A flowering plant having a single cotyledon in the seed (examples are grasses and lilies).

Monstrose - A type of abnormal, distorted, and disfigured growth that is most common in cactus plants. The words monstrose or monstrosus can both be used to describe this type of growth. Plants that develop monstrose growth are considered scarce varieties of the particular species they come from. A Trichocereus bridgesii cactus with monstrose growth would be referred to as either:
Trichocereus bridgesii var. monstrose
Trichocereus bridgesii var. monstrosus

Monstrosus - See monstrose.

Morning Glory - Common name of the family of plants known by the botanical name Convolvulaceae (or Convulvulaceae).

Morning Glory - Name given to a group of over one thousand different species of plants, based on similar characteristics. Most morning glory plants are not psychoactive but there are a few types with seeds that produce results similar to LSD. For more information see this.

Morphine - Narcotic analgesic usually obtained from the latex (raw opium) found in the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum).

Mortar And Pestle - A device used to crush, grind, and mix substances like medicinal plants. The mortar is a bowl and the pestle is a stick. Substance are ground between the mortar and pestle.

Mother Plant - The plant that a plant cutting (or clone) was taken from. A plant cutting is taken in such a way as to not kill the mother plant. The mother plant can be male or female.

Mugwort - Common name of the plant known by the botanical name Artemisia vulgaris. Also called common wormwood, the plant should not be confused with its close relative Artemisia absinthium (true wormwood).

Muscimole - One of the main active ingredients in the Amanita muscaria, a type of psychoactive mushroom. For more information see this.

Mydriasis - Dilation (enlargement) of the pupil in the eye.

Mydriatic - A substance that dilates the pupil.

Nahuatl - A group of related languages that originated in Mexico. A variation called Classical Nahuatl was spoken by the Aztecs.

Narcotic - An opium based drug or any drug with effects similar to those produced by opium or opium derivatives. Cocaine and other drugs are not, by definition, narcotics. However, under the laws of some countries, drugs that are not actual narcotics are classified as such.

Nausea - Uneasy feeling in the stomach, it usually precedes vomiting. Related words: nauseous, nauseating.

Neuromodulators - Chemicals that affect a group of neurons in the brain. In contrast to neurotransmitters that affect only one other neuron, neuromodulators affect a group of neurons.

Neurosis - Various emotional and mental disorders that are not caused by a physical disorder. Neurosis can include feelings of anxiety, depression, insecurity, and unbased fears. However, psychotic symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations are not present.

Nepeta cataria - Botanical name of the plant more commonly known as catnip. Other common names include catmint, field balm, and true catnip. For more information see this.

Nepetalactone - The main chemical that causes psychoactive effects when a person uses Nepeta cataria. It is a mild sedative with antibacterial (kills bacteria), antispasmodic (reduces spasms), and febrifuge (reduces fever) properties. At higher doses, it causes nausea and vomiting. It also repels insects like cockroaches, some types of flies, and mosquitos. For more information see this.

Nervous Breakdown - Sudden, severe attack of mental illness such as anxiety, depression, or paranoia. In order to be considered a nervous breakdown, the sufferer is considered to have a "breakdown" only after they become unable to function in everyday life due to mental illness. The term is not used by doctors or the medical community.

Nervous System - The part of a human (or animal) that controls input from the senses, coordinates the activity of the muscles, initiates actions, and monitors the organs. Not to be confused with the central nervous system (CNS).

Neurones - see neurons.

Neurons - Electrically excitable cells in the nervous system. Their function is to process and transmit information. In humans and other vertebrate animals, neurons are the core components of the brain, peripheral nerves, and spinal cord. Also known as nerve cells, nerve fibers, and neurones.

Neurotransmitters - Chemicals that amplify, modulate, and relay electrical signals between a neuron and another cell. In contrast to neuromodulators that affect a group of neurons, neurotransmitters affect only one other neuron.

Nightshade - Common name of the family of plants that is known by the botanical name of Solanaceae.

Nithead - A person that uses too much nitrous oxide. Pronounced nit head.

Nitrariaceae - A family of plants that includes Peganum harmala.

Nitrous Oxide - A drug better known as laughing gas. Used in dental surgery to reduce pain also used recreationally and for spiritual purposes. For more information see this.

N,N-dimethyltryptamine - Chemical name of the drug more commonly known as DMT or dimethyltryptamine. It is a naturally occurring chemical secreted by the pineal gland (in humans). It also occurs in hundreds of plant species. 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.

Nodes - A place on the plant stem where a leaf is attached.

Non-Traditional Ayahuasca - Also called ayahuasca analogs. Ayahuasca preparations that have been prepared without traditional ingredients like Banisteriopsis caapi, Diplopterys cabrerana, or Psychotria viridis. For more information see this.

Noradrenaline - A stimulant produced by the human body. Similar in chemical structure to amphetamines. Also called norepinephrine.

Nutmeg Psychosis - Caused by consumption of large quantities of nutmeg. It is a psychiatric disorder marked by agitation, excitement, hallucinations, sense of impending death, and thought disorder.

Ololiuqui - Common name of the plant that is known by the botanical name of Rivea corymbosa. Seeds from the plant can be used as a source of LSA. For more information see this.

Oneirogens - Naturally occurring substances that induce and enhance dreaming.

Opiate - Narcotic analgesic that is either natural (morphine, codeine, opium) or semi-synthetic (heroin, oxycodone, etc). Often incorrectly used to refer to entire family of opium based drugs.

Opioid - Narcotic analgesic that is fully synthetic (methadone, fentanyl, etc). Opioid is also the correct term to use to refer to entire family of opium based drugs. That is, all opiates and opioids can collectively be called 'the opioid class of drugs' or simply 'opioids'.

Opioid Agonist - A chemical that selectively binds to opioid receptors and triggers a response. All opium based drugs that get a user high are opioid agonists.

Opioid Antagonist - A chemical that prevents a user from feeling any of the pleasant effects of the opioid class of drugs by binding to opioid receptors and stopping them from triggering a response. An opioid antagonist like naltrexone can be used for opioid addiction treatment. The user stops using opium based drugs because they don't produce a high. Binding to opioid receptors will also prevent a heroin (or other opioid addict) from going through withdrawl. They are then slowly weaned off the opioid antagonist.

Opioid Itch - The itch caused by taking an opium based drug. Not all users get opioid itch, but it is fairly common.

Opium - Latex from the Papaver somniferum plant. Opium is an important chemical that has been used for thousands of years as a medical, spiritual and recreational drug. Various pain relief drugs such as morphine, oxycodone (oxycontin), hydrocodone, and others can be synthesized from opium.

Opium Lettuce - Common name of the plant known by the botanical name Lactuca virosa. Other common names include bitter lettuce, laitue vireuse, poisonous lettuce, and wild lettuce. For more information see this.

Opium Poppy - See Papaver somniferum.

Ounce (avoirdupois) - A unit of mass equal to about 28.34952 grams (usually rounded off to 28 grams in real life situations). Abbreviation oz., this type of ounce is used to describe the mass of an item. The term avoirdupois ounce is used to distinguish this type of ounce from ounce used as a measure of volume (see below).

Ounce (fluid) - A unit of volume equal to about 29.57353 milliliters. Abbreviation oz., this type of ounce is used to describe how much volume an item occupies (usually liquids). The term fluid ounce is used to distinguish this type of ounce from ounce used as a measure of mass (see above).

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Illegal Drugs:
A Complete Guide to Their
History, Chemistry, Use and Abuse

Very good book about the history, sociology, legal and medical aspects of illegal (and some legal) drugs. Looks at all the popular illegal drugs like marijuana, cocaine, heroin, etc. Also investigates legal drugs like caffeine, alcohol and tobacco. And covers more obscure drugs like betel nuts and kava.

At about 500 (easy to understand) pages, the book contains a lot of text that might overwhelm the casual reader looking for basic info. This is more for someone with a serious interest in the subject or someone doing research.

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