What is a Party Drug?

This prescription benzodiazepine is frequently used to calm down or experience a mild feeling of euphoria in social contexts. Recreational Xanax use gained notoriety in the 2000s and 2010s for its accessibility. When taken recreationally, it can enhance a sense of ease and make party environments feel less stressful or overwhelming. Some individuals mix it with alcohol or other substances to intensify its effects, despite the serious risks involved.

Cocaine earned an association with wealth and famous clientele, particularly in 1980s America. Users may snort “lines” of cocaine or inject it. Cocaine produces a rapid rush of euphoria, confidence, and energy that enhances social interaction. Its stimulant effects make people feel more alert and talkative, fitting the high-energy atmosphere of parties and clubs.

Cocaine significantly increases heart rate and blood pressure, and these changes in heart rate and blood pressure can pose serious health risks, including cardiovascular events. Cocaine overdose is a serious and potentially life-threatening situation, with signs such as chest pain, seizures, irregular heartbeat, and difficulty breathing.

PCP qualifies as a party drug because it can produce feelings of euphoria, heightened energy, and altered perception that some people seek in social settings. Its dissociative effects can make music and lights feel more intense, contributing to a surreal party experience. Though less common than other substances, it has been used recreationally at clubs and gatherings for its mind-altering properties. Risks include impaired motor function, which can disrupt coordination and increase the likelihood of accidents, as well as trouble breathing.

Ketamine qualifies as a party drug because it can produce feelings of euphoria, detachment, and altered perception, which many find appealing in social or club settings. At lower doses, it can enhance music and sensory experiences, making parties feel more immersive and surreal. It’s often used at raves, festivals, and clubs for its dissociative effects that can heighten the atmosphere. Ketamine’s physiological effects can include changes in perception, heart rate, and muscle control. People may experience negative immersive experiences, sometimes referred to as “falling down a K-hole.”

Rohypnol qualifies as a party drug because it has sedative and muscle-relaxing effects that can create a sense of calm or intoxication similar to alcohol. Some individuals misuse it in nightlife settings to enhance or intensify the effects of other substances. Its reputation as a “club drug” is partly due to its presence at parties and raves, despite its illegal status in many places. However, Rohypnol is also infamously associated with drug-facilitated crimes, especially sexual assault. This has earned it the nickname “the date rape drug.”

Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) qualifies as a party drug because it can produce feelings of relaxation, euphoria, and lowered inhibitions when taken in small doses. It is a central nervous system depressant that acts on the nervous system to induce relaxation and euphoria. Some people use it at clubs or raves to enhance mood and sensations. GHB can be used by being mixed into alcohol, hence its reputation as a “date rape drug.”

Ecstasy qualifies as a party drug because it produces intense feelings of euphoria, emotional warmth, and heightened sensory perception. MDMA can act as both a stimulant and hallucinogen, producing both stimulant and hallucinogenic effects that alter mood, perception, and behavior. These effects can make music, lights, and physical touch feel more pleasurable, which is why it’s popular at clubs, raves, and festivals. The drug can also increase energy and sociability, encouraging dancing and close interactions with others. MDMA can significantly impact body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure, increasing the risk of serious health issues.

This drug may also be combined with stimulants to produce specific effects, usually labelled under the name “molly.” The name is meant to refer solely to the main components of MDMA, but this is frequently not the case.

Nitrous oxide produces brief but intense feelings of euphoria, lightheadedness, and altered perception. Often inhaled from balloons at festivals or clubs, it can enhance the sensory atmosphere and make music and lights feel more immersive. Its quick onset and short duration make it easy to use repeatedly in social settings. Although it’s legal for certain purposes, its recreational use at parties carries risks like oxygen deprivation and loss of coordination.

Nicknamed “magic mushrooms,” these naturally occurring plants contain the compounds psilocybin and psilocin. Both produce natural psychedelic experiences when consumed. Magic mushrooms are classified as psychedelic drugs, and their effects are extremely distinct to other drugs with the same classification. Users will typically eat them whole or brew them into tea.

Lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly known as LSD, alters perception, mood, and sensory experiences. This often creates vivid visuals, heightened emotions, and a sense of interconnectivity between the taker and the world around them. In party settings, these effects can enhance music, lights, and social interactions, making the environment feel more immersive. Depending on dosage, it typically produces a longer high (sometimes several hours) than other psychoactive substances.

Compared to other drugs commonly found at parties, LSD is less associated with physical stimulation and more with profound changes in perception and thought. However, its unpredictable effects can also lead to disorientation or anxiety, making the setting and mindset especially important. LSD can also be dangerous for people with certain mental health conditions, notably schizophrenia.

Despite its federally illegal status, cannabis products continue to be popular as less intense party drugs (especially in house party settings). It can be used to create a more relaxed atmosphere or create a chatty, uplifting vibe. Partygoers may offer others hits off a joint, share food products laced with cannabis, or “pull” from a water pipe. Marijuana use is especially prevalent among young adults in these social settings, with many engaging in daily or near-daily consumption at parties.

Although considered “safe” by many people, alcohol qualifies as a party drug because it’s commonly used in social settings to lower inhibitions and enhance feelings of relaxation and euphoria. It can increase sociability, making people feel more confident and outgoing in group environments. Alcohol use can lead to risky behaviors and impaired judgment. Its widespread availability and cultural acceptance make it one of the most frequently used substances at parties and social gatherings.