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These days, use of lesser known party drugs is on the rise. The scope of drugs you might see people using in nightclubs has gone far beyond cocaine and MDMA. Whether these drugs are obscure, traditional medicines imported worldwide or something new altogether, created by someone aiming to make a cheaper alternative of a widely used recreational drug. Where there is a demand there is a supply.

The opioid crisis started in the 90’s after a huge increase in doctors prescribing people drugs like oxycodone, codeine and morphine. This led to the current widespread and problematic opioid use, alongside something even more sinister. Nowadays, we’re seeing fentanyl, a very powerful opioid, being laced into weaker opioids and other drugs like Xanax, diazepam and midazolam. The opioid crisis has claimed the lives of celebrities like Prince, Mac Miller, Tom Petty, Lil Peep with millions more opioid overdoses around the world. So, what can you do?

Since the legalization of cannabis in most nations, many people and researchers now focus on the THC and CBD compounds of cannabis. Cannabis is also very rich in terpenes, compounds that give plants their smell, offer protection from predators, and provide health benefits.

Cannabis and tobacco have been used recreationally for thousands of years. We don’t know exactly when we started mixing cannabis and tobacco but smoking joints has become one of the most common ways to use cannabis. Both have controversial reputations due to links with a lot of - sometimes fatal - health issues2 and sometimes the information out there can be confusing.

In November 2018, the UK joined the ranks of many other forward-thinking countries and decided to legalise the use of medical cannabis¹. This decision followed Uruguay, and Canada’s ground-breaking ruling that legalised medical and recreational cannabis use. Marijuana is also legal for medical use in many states in the USA, although legislation has not followed at the federal level. Nonetheless, the cannabis industry is booming!

Overcoming benzodiazepine addiction can be harder than quitting heroin! Everyone knows how terrible heroin withdrawal is but not many know that benzodiazepine withdrawal can be even worse. Benzodiazepines (or benzos) are some of the most prescribed medicines for insomnia and anxiety. You might think that since doctors prescribe benzodiazepines¹, they can’t be too bad, right? Sadly, they are among the most abused medications by patients, alongside opioids. Many people who end up addicted to benzos start taking these drugs because their doctors told them to do so². Problematic use rates are increasing worryingly quickly. So much so, that benzodiazepines are seen by some as the next prescription drug epidemic³. Make sure you stay safe when taking benzos and check our new guide on them (out soon!).

We often hear about how cannabis might be able to cure cancer. What people ask less is whether cannabis can cause cancer. Well, smoking cannabis is 20 times more likely to cause cancer than tobacco! At least that’s according to the British Lung Foundation’s (BLF) 2012 special report on cannabis…