What Is The Role Of Chemistry In Recreation?

One of the most common uses of chemistry in recreation is for drug use. Recreational drug use is carried out by those who wish to enhance or create a recreational experience.

The use of drugs for recreation is controversial and is often seen as dangerous and illegal as full drug use. Many drugs that are used for recreation are organic but there are a few that are chemical. These chemical drugs include ethanol, inhalants and hallucinogens.

• Ethanol

More commonly known as alcohol, ethanol is a flammable, volatile and colorless liquid. The intoxicating effects of ethanol consumption have been used for thousands of years.

Ethanol has the ability to change the human consciousness as it is a central nervous system depressant and a psychoactive drug. The effects of ethanol are determent on how much is consumed, ranging from talkativeness to death.

• Inhalants

These are gases, solvents or aerosols that are breathed in and then absorbed by the lungs. Most inhalant drugs that are used for recreational purposes are not made with that intention.

Household cleaning products, glue, fuel and nail polish remover are all examples of the chemicals that some people will inhale. They are most commonly used by people who are unable to get hold of other drugs and the side effects can be fatal.

• Hallucinogens

This name is reserved for drugs that cause subjective changes in a person's perception, emotion, thought and consciousness. They induce experiences unlike other recreational drugs in the sense that the person feels unordinary forms of consciousness.

Hallucinogens can be broken down into three subcategories; psychedelics, dissociatives and deliriants. Each has a slightly different effect on the drug users mind.

While chemistry has other roles within recreation, its most common usage and most known usage is through recreational drugs. Recreational drugs are not all chemical, however, and there are many that are derived from organic and natural resources.