Marijuana is touted by many to be a gateway drug and is illegal due to its believed dangerous effects. Curiously, other substances which are scientifically more harmful than cannabis are legal and are easily accessible for recreational use.

Nicotine

Considered both a stimulant and a relaxant, nicotine produces the effect of relaxation and releases a chemical in the brain called dopamine, often associated with the feeling of being rewarded. It is often found in the tobacco leaves of cigarettes and according to a UK medical journal, The Lancet, is said to be more addictive than cannabis.

Alcohol

Alcohol often functions as a disinfectant in high amounts, and as a beverage in low amounts. Intoxication with this substance results in improvement in mood and impairment of motor skills. According to the World Health Organization, alcohol is reported to cause 1.5 million deaths every year.

Caffeine

Commonly found in coffee, soft drinks, and energy drinks, it is classified as a psychoactive drug and is used to combat tiredness. People who consume caffeine excessively may develop a tolerance to its sleep-disrupting effects. Withdrawal symptoms include lethargy and irritability.

Graphics by Shanice A. Garcia