Legal intoxicants are intoxicating drugs which are not prohibited by drug laws. The most commonly used intoxicant is alcohol but many others are used including native intoxicating plants historically used by indigenous cultures and modern chemical intoxicating substances that have not been defined as illegal.
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A mild stimulant used most commonly via coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
Stimulant drug most commonly found in tobacco products and cigars.
A phenethylamine that is a precursor to amphetamine, slightly similar effects, though significantly milder in intensity.
Chewed nut popular in Asia.
Hawaiian Baby Woodrose (Argyreia nervosa) is a perennial climbing vine, also known as Elephant Creeper and Woolly Morning Glory. The seeds of the plant contain the alkaloid LSA (ergine), which is a chemical analog of LSD. As such, they are sometimes used as a "legal" psychedelic. Ipomea Morning Glory seeds also contain LSA, but at a lower level. However, as LSA is a DEA Schedule III substance in the USA, the ingestion of LSA-containing plants could be prosecutable. In most countries in the EU however, it is unregulated.
San Pedro cactus contains mescaline which is illegal when isolated. This is the same active substance in the more famous peyote cactus which can only be used legally by some native American tribes which have a history of using the plant. San Pedro can be bought and sold and the tissues can also be bought (primary container) from online shops. In many countries, however, it is a serious crime to buy, sell or consume the cactus for reasons of intoxication (any other reason besides ornamental use), because the active ingredient in the cactus, mescaline, is a scheduled substance in those countries, regardless of its small relative harm compared to other drugs.
Peruvian torch and Peyote are both very similar to San Pedro, both being cacti that contain mescaline, and are used as entheogens.
DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, and bufotenin.
Contains DMT and is the principle psychedelic ingredient in the Ayahuasca brew.
Contains DMT.
The venom of the toad species Bufo alvarius contains 5-MeO-DMT and bufotenin, which is consumed once extracted from the toad. Several other toad species in the Bufo genus and a few other toad genera contain 5-MeO-DMT and bufotenin, but not in noticeably psychoactive quantities.[1]
2Cs are psychedelic phenethylamines synthesized by Dr. Alexander Shulgin in the 1970s and 80s. In legality, they range from being totally uncontrolled to strictly illegal, depending on jurisdiction. Many if not all of the 2Cs could be considered illegal in the United States under the Federal Analog Act if sold or possessed for consumption. In the United Kingdom the entire 2C family is also considered illegal.
These substances are most commonly found in incense products most commonly used for smoking, and are legal in most (but not all) circumstances. Some commonly known names are Rasta Weed, Spice and Herbal Incense. The legality of synthetic cannabinoids vary from state to state. Some of them are as potent (if not more) than THC, the main psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana.
Salvia divinorum is a psychoactive plant which can induce dissociative effects and hallucinations which may last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. It is commonly reported that there is a threshold dose, below which the plant likely won't produce any effects in the user, so a high dose is sometimes required. It has been linked to long usage as an entheogen by the indigenous Mazatec shamans for healing during spirit journeys. Salvia divinorum remains legal in most countries and, within the United States, is legal in the majority of states. There have not been many publicized prosecutions of individuals violating anti-salvia laws in the few countries and states in which it has been made illegal.
Dextromethorphan is an antitussive (cough-suppressant) drug found in many over-the-counter cold and cough medicines. When taken at doses higher than are medically recommended, dextromethorphan is classified as a dissociative hallucinogenic drug. It can produce effects similar to those of the controlled substances PCP and ketamine.
Also known as "Laughing Gas". One of the most common inhalants, nitrous oxide is also known as "whippits", after the common brand-name of the charging cartridges used in food service whipped-cream dispensers, or NOS after the brand-name Nitrous Oxide Systems which produce Nitrous Oxide-based power enhancement systems for internal combustion engines (commonly used by drag racers). Most inhalants are directly neurotoxic, except for nitrous, amyl nitrate, and ether to an extent. Although nitrous depletes vitamin B12 from the body, this isn't a concern for the occasional user since most animal foods have the vitamin, particularly beef, lamb, and pork. However, chronic use can cause a severe B12 deficiency, which can cause psychological, neurological, and other physiological harm. Nitrous Oxide is commonly administered by using a charging cartridge and whipped cream dispenser to inflate a balloon, the contents of which is then inhaled in one deep breath. The 'high' can be extremely intense, often causing the user to laugh uncontrollably and producing a dissociative ( or 'spaced out') sensation, but this usually lasts for less than a minute.
Methoxetamine is a near chemical analog of ketamine and PCP. Its use was first publicly reported in 2010. Methoxetamine's effects are described by some as similar to ketamine or high-dose DXM, while others report not finding it similar to those substances. A number of accounts describe compulsive redosing and unintentional consumption of more than was initially planned.
The deliriants are a class of hallucinogens that produce delirium with accompanying hallucinations.
Amanita muscaria has been rarely consumed recreationally. However, following the outlawing of psilocybin-containing mushrooms in the United Kingdom, an increased quantity of legal A. muscaria mushrooms began to be sold and consumed.
Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine and a sedative and is available over-the-counter for allergy relief and for use as a sleep aid and dimenhydrinate is available over-the-counter for alleviation of motion sickness. Recreational users take many times (>250 mg) the therapeutic dose to achieve a state of delusional delirium.
Datura species (especially Datura stramonium, commonly known as Jimson weed) are common poisonous weeds in the Solanaceae (nightshade) family. They contain tropane alkaloids that are sometimes used as a hallucinogen. The active ingredients are atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine which are classified as deliriants. It can be smoked, eaten or made into a tea. The seeds are extremely potent and should be avoided.
Datura use has been associated with hospital visits and death in cases of overdose, and it has earned a reputation of being a rather dangerous substance due to the possible loss of control over ones self.
Nutmeg contains myristicin and elemicin which were both considered psychoactive chemicals. In 2009, elemicin was found not to be psychoactive. Myristicin, along with being a deliriant, is also a weak monoamine oxidase inhibitor.[2]
Alcoholic beverages contain the psychoactive drug, ethanol (grain alcohol), with a depressant effect. They are legal in most of the world (except some Muslim countries), although their use is restricted almost everywhere. Alcohol is considered a legal class A drug in most jurisdictions (Bufton, 2007).
Kava (Piper methysticum) is an ancient crop of the western Pacific. The onset of a moderate potency kava drink is 20–30 minutes, with effects usually lasting for two hours but effects can be felt up to eight hours after ingestion.
A solvent sedative used medically as an anesthetic and recreationally for its effects similar to alcohol. It is more potent than alcohol and has less "hang over" effect. It is generally legal due its wide use as lab chemical and solvent for industry.
Inhalants are commonly used in many parts of the world for their powerful but short lived psychoactive effects; the most common group to use inhalants are young people.
Also known as Poppers. Nitrites include Amyl, Butyl, Methyl, Isopropol, Isobutal, Ethyl, Alkyl and the newer "US" formula containing Cyclohexyl Nitrite (the only nitrite to not currently require a prescription). Originally used as anti-anginal heart medication to lower blood pressure and even as an antidote to Cyanide Poisoning. Products are advertised as odorisers, leather cleaner and video head cleaner. Combination with Nitrous Oxide is referred to as 'Space Surfing' because of the intense synergistic effect of the two inhalants.
An opioid is a chemical substance that has a morphine-like action in the body, however most opioids are not legal for over the counter purchase. Codeine can be purchased over the counter in some jurisdictions, but it's usually mixed with Paracetamol to discourage abuse. The paracetamol, however, can be removed fairly easily by manipulation of the different solubility of paracetamol and codeine in cold water.[3]
Non-opiate herbal drug native to Southeast Asia. The leaves are used as an opiate substitute, and around the world for opiate addiction recovery because it binds to the mu opioid receptors as all opioids do. It is also used as a stimulant (in low doses). Higher doses produce a more sedative effect.
Kratom is illegal in Australia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand.[4]