Find the information you’re looking for in CAMH’s Mental Illness and Addiction Index:
Mental Illness & Addiction Index
Get informed with clear, reliable information about mental illness and addiction, including treatment and recovery.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant drug that can slow down the parts of the brain that affect thinking, behaviour, breathing and heart rate.
About AlcoholAmphetamines
Amphetamines are stimulant drugs that speed up the central nervous system. These drugs can cause addiction if they are misused.
About AmphetaminesCaffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant that speeds up the central nervous system. It stimulates the brain, elevates the mood and postpones fatigue.
About CaffeineCannabis
Cannabis is a psychoactive drug that is used for recreational and medical purposes.
About CannabisCocaine and Crack
Cocaine is a stimulant drug that can make people feel more alert and energetic. Cocaine can also make people feel euphoric, or “high.”
About Cocaine and CrackEcstasy
Ecstasy is a drug that affects the brain’s chemistry by releasing a high level of serotonin, which plays a role in regulating mood, energy level and appetite.
About EcstasyFentanyl
Fentanyl is a powerful pain medication. It is an opioid, like morphine, codeine, oxycodone (oxys) and methadone.
About FentanylGHB
GHB is a central nervous system depressant that causes drowsiness and reduces heart rate. It is used to treat sleep disorders but can be dangerous if misused.
About GHBHallucinogens
Hallucinogens are psychedelic drugs that can potentially change the way people see, hear, taste, smell or feel, and also affect mood and thought.
About Hallucinogens