Combining Stimulants and Depressants, uppers and downers

[Richi]

My question is; what are the real short term and long term physical dangers of combining uppers and downers? I'm referring to cardiovascular problems specifically.

It's more clear why combining multiple uppers or multiple downers causes problems, like in the event of a combination of depressants where the heart rate slows down too much limiting oxygen supply to the brain, or in a combination of amphetamines which place a lot of strain on the heart.

[EscapeDummy]

I'm not an expert on the subject, but I believe mixing stimulants and depressants in high doses has the potential to cause acute (short term) heart failure, the reason being that both drugs send different messages to the cardiovascular system, causing dangerous arrhythmias. Not so sure about the long term effects, although it would seem the constant change in blood pressure and heart rate may wear out the heart faster.

[Richi]

I am not educated in the subject, but I suppose that makes sense. Does anyone else have any input on the subject?

[nibble]

The supposed extreme danger with mixing powerful stimulants with "downers" is for the most part a fallacy. Generally opioids are the drugs that are mixed with various stimulants, often IV. The real danger is just as it would be with either drug taken solo, the danger of overdose. If someone were to IV a cocaine/heroin speedball the danger of heroin overdose would still be there, the stimulant effect of cocaine would not counteract it but it might serve to mask the signs of overdose.

It's not a good idea but it isn't quite as dangerous as the practice is often made out to be, celebrity deaths contribute to the myth around it I suppose.

[sasafrass]

In the 1960's-80's, a number of U.S. companies marketed just such drugs. Anyone remember "green and clears"? Dexostat I think is the only one still made. Most were designed for a smoother response or smoother come down. Bad press cost us a lot of good products.

[missparkles]

Originally Posted by nibble

The supposed extreme danger with mixing powerful stimulants with "downers" is for the most part a fallacy. Generally opioids are the drugs that are mixed with various stimulants, often IV. The real danger is just as it would be with either drug taken solo, the danger of overdose. If someone were to IV a cocaine/heroin speedball the danger of heroin overdose would still be there, the stimulant effect of cocaine would not counteract it but it might serve to mask the signs of overdose.

It's not a good idea but it isn't quite as dangerous as the practice is often made out to be, celebrity deaths contribute to the myth around it I suppose.

Swim is new to all of this. But she thought a heroin overdose meant death? How could a stimulant mask that?
Thanks.

[nibble]

Originally Posted by missparkles

Swim is new to all of this. But she thought a heroin overdose meant death? How could a stimulant mask that?
Thanks.

Masking the signs to others is what I meant really, slowed breathing is less apparent and loss of conciousness seems to occur more suddenly. That leaves little time to do anything about it before complete respiratory depression takes over. A heroin overdose doesn't mean death if you can take action quickly and reverse it.

[madfan]

Swim remembers green & clears very well.In the uk they were triple strength `blues`(formerly they were known as `purple hearts` & whenever the press did a feature on amphetamines they were always the ones they focused on)
They were cheap & plentiful & they really did the job.A lovely buzz.Strong but smooth.And a few of them would keep swim high for hours.
These days in the uk,if swiys can find a doctor or clinic that will prescribe uppers(& its a pretty big `if`) its always for dexedrine.And no matter how many she takes,swims never had a really good,proper speed buzz from them.

Sorry this has strayed off topic.But when swim saw the words `green & clears`,they sent her off on a nostalgia trip.So potent,yet so smooth.No rough edges.
And swim never had any comedown.

[Richi]

Originally Posted by nibble

The supposed extreme danger with mixing powerful stimulants with "downers" is for the most part a fallacy. Generally opioids are the drugs that are mixed with various stimulants, often IV.

Under what circumstances are opioids and stimulants administered to a patient?

[nibble]

Originally Posted by Richi

Under what circumstances are opioids and stimulants administered to a patient?

Who mentioned a patient? Your original post mentions nothing about a clinical setting, I was referring to recreational use. An opioid combined with a powerful stimulant, like the classic "speedball" of IV cocaine and heroin.

I can't think of any circumstances under which a patient would be administered an opioid and a psychomotor stimulant simultaneously.