Quaalude is a term refers to a sedative drug, known by its generic name methaqualone. Historically Quaaludes were commonly prescribed as a sleeping pill, muscle relaxant and anxiolytic. It gained popularity in the 1970s as a recreational drug due to its sedating and euphoric effects. However, it was later classified as a Schedule I controlled substance because of its potential for abuse and addiction. Quaalude may be used to describe individuals who have struggled with addiction to sedatives or who are seeking treatment for sedative addiction.
Quaalude abuse can lead to various health issues, including respiratory depression, loss of muscle control, memory loss and even coma. Due to the severe risks associated with its misuse, Quaalude is no longer legally manufactured or prescribed in the United States.
Effects of Quaaludes
Quaaludes, as a central nervous system depressant, have potent effects on both the body and mind. These effects include common symptoms like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal cramps, tingling in the arms and legs, diarrhea, dry mouth, sweating, seizures, rashes, itching, fatigue, reduced heart rate and slowed breathing. Additionally, Quaaludes can occasionally lead to issues like erectile dysfunction and difficulty achieving orgasm.
Higher doses of Quaaludes can result in extreme mental confusion and a loss of muscle control, known as ataxia. Due to their widespread abuse, users often exhibited impaired decision-making skills and compromised abilities while under the influence of methaqualone. Car accidents were not uncommon due to the seriously impaired driving skills of Quaalude users.
It’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive and the effects of Quaaludes on an individual may vary based on their medical history and substance use patterns.
It was first noted for its sedative properties in the 1950s and was later used to combat malaria. However, it became popular as a sedative in Britain during the 1960s and as a sleep aid in the United States during the 1970s. Marketed as Quaalude in the U.S., it gained recreational use in discos and juice bars, earning the nickname “disco biscuits.” Its effects include drowsiness, reduced heart rate and respiration. Overdose can lead to coma and death, as it is highly addictive.
Quaaludes work by binding to a segment of the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAA) in the central nervous system, resulting in sedation. Although they were once legal, Congress banned domestic production and sales as a prescription in 1984, under President Ronald Reagan’s administration.
Legal production of Quaaludes has ceased in the United States but underground labs in Mexico continue to manufacture the drug. It is still used in South Africa and India under the name Mandrax.
Learn what Quaalude is, its addictive properties and how to overcome addiction in our comprehensive guide. Get help from qualified counsellors.What is Quaalude? - Your Addiction Guide for Quaalude
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