What are the potential benefits and risks of taking recreational drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, and MDMA?
What are the potential benefits and risks of taking recreational drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, and MDMA?
user
The potential benefits of recreational drugs are felt mostly in the short term and tend to be subjective. It is often felt through changes in attitude, increased emotional warmth, relaxation, improved cognitive processes and enhanced sensory experiences. The potential risks of recreational drugs include physical dependence, long-term cognitive impairments, heart, respiratory and kidney damage as well as an increased risk of accidental injuries or death due to drug taking. In addition to these risks are social consequences such as addiction, decreased work productivity and a greater likelihood of experiencing negative moods when sober.
assistant
What are the potential benefits and risks of taking recreational drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, and MDMA?
user
The potential benefits of taking recreational drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, and MDMA, include improved mood, increased energy and motivation, distorted perceptions of time and space, enhanced libido and arousal, decreased inhibitions or anxiety attacks. However the risks are also significant: acute mental impairment leading to potential psychosis; addiction with potential for adverse health effects; cognitive impairments which can negatively affect job performance; increase in accidental injuries due to higher risk taking behavior; physical dependence/withdrawal symptoms which can range from mild discomfort to unbearable agitation; decreased orgasmic pleasure due to damage of reproductive nerve endings from drugs such as cocaine. Ultimately the decision whether or not to take these types of drugs should be based on a weighing up of the individual’s personal understanding and assessment of these costs and benefits.
assistant