Methaqualone - Effects on the Body

Effects on the Body

Methaqualone is a depressant that has both physical and psychological effects on users. It lowers the levels of chemicals called neurotransmittersA substance that helps spread nerve impulses from one nerve cell to another. in the brain and nervous system. When neurotransmitters are decreased, blood pressure drops and the breathing and pulse rates slow. The user enters a state of deep relaxation. These properties explain why methaqualone was originally thought to be a useful drug to treat sleeplessness and anxiety.

Methaqualone reaches its peak levels in the bloodstream within one or two hours after being taken. Its effects generally last from four to eight hours. Regular users of methaqualone build up a physical tolerance to the drug, which means they need more of it each time to achieve the same physical and psychological effects. As a user takes more of the drug to experience a particular response, the nervous system can be overwhelmed and shut down, leading to coma and death.

Methaqualone's effects are intensified with the use of other substances, including alcohol. The average lethal dose of methaqualone used alone is between 8 and 20 grams, depending on the size and tolerance level of the user. However, death and coma can result at much lower dosages in the presence of alcohol, which also functions as a depressant on the body.

Ludes and Pop Culture

In the late 1960s and 1970s, methaqualone's reputation grew to mythic proportions in the media. America's Quaalude craze was seen in the popular, and less-popular, music of the time. Syd Barrett (1946–), founding member and original guitarist and vocalist of Pink Floyd, was asked to leave the band shortly after appearing on stage heavily sedated and sporting a mixture of crushed Mandrax and hair gel on his head. Fee Waybill (1950–) of the lesser-known The Tubes regularly performed as alter-ego Quay Lude in the band's glam rock opera, "White Punks on Dope."

In the song "Flakes" (1979), musician and songwriter Frank Zappa (1940–1993) took a jab at Bob Dylan (1941–) and the folksinger's alleged frequent use of Mandrax. In the song, Zappa sings in the style of Dylan and asks, "Want to buy some Mandies, Bob?" Zappa, who was staunchly anti-drug, referred to Quaaludes in one interview as a way of creating stupid behavior in people.

Methaqualone overdose claimed a number of celebrity lives during the era. In 1972, Billy Murcia (1951–1972), drummer for the New York Dolls, overdosed on methaqualone during a concert and subsequently choked to death. In 1975, Anissa Jones (1958–1975), former child star of the television show Family Affair, died of an over-dose of barbiturates and Quaaludes. While under the influence of Quaaludes, comedian Freddie Prinze Sr. (1954–1977) died of an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Other methaqualone users who died in the 1970s in drug-related circumstances include legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970), Rolling Stone Brian Jones (1943–1969), and the king of rock and roll Elvis Presley (1935–1977).

"Feeling No Pain" Can Be Dangerous

Common side effects of methaqualone include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting, headache, chills or sweating, irregular heartbeat, skin rash and itching, fatigue, slurred speech, and seizures. Methaqualone affects muscle movement and coordination and can produce a "pins and needles" sensation called paresthesia (pah-russ-THEE-zhuh), usually in the face and fingers. Under the influence of heavy doses of methaqualone, users have a heightened pain threshold, which means they do not feel pain as readily as they would otherwise. The consequence is that they can hurt themselves without noticing any pain. Because their thought processes are also slowed down, they cannot respond quickly enough to avoid serious injury.

Musician and singer Frank Zappa (right) was highly anti-drug. In his song called Flakes, off his 1979 album Sheik Yerbouti (left), he took a jab at folksinger Bob Dylans alleged frequent use of Mandrax. In the song, Zappa asks Want to buy some
Musician and singer Frank Zappa (right) was highly anti-drug. In his song called "Flakes," off his 1979 album Sheik Yerbouti (left), he took a jab at folksinger Bob Dylan's alleged frequent use of Mandrax. In the song, Zappa asks "Want to buy some Mandies, Bob?" © Neal Preston/Corbis.

Methaqualone can also cause a condition called ataxiaPronounced uh-TAKS-ee-uh; loss of control of muscle coordination., in which muscles twitch and move uncontrollably. Users experiencing ataxia are sometimes called "wallbangers." They appear to have lost control of their bodies and may repeatedly run into things because they cannot feel any pain. Driving or operating heavy machinery is especially dangerous for anyone who is under the influence of methaqualone because of ataxia and the slowed reflexes that accompany the sedative effect of the drug.

In the early 1980s, emergency rooms across the country reported increased numbers of trauma victims whose injuries were related to automobile crashes caused by users of methaqualone, often in conjunction with alcohol. According to Paul M. Gahlinger in Illegal Drugs: A Complete Guide to Their History, Chemistry, Use and Abuse, in Broward County, Florida, 82 percent of drunk drivers apprehended in 1980 also had methaqualone in their systems.

Dependence and Addiction

Methaqualone also has significant mental effects on users. When it was considered safe, one of its benefits was thought to be its ability to reduce anxiety. Before long, it became clear that users were becoming psychologically addicted to the drug. Common symptoms of psychological dependenceThe belief that a person needs to take a certain substance in order to function, whether that person really does or not. on methaqualone are memory loss, learning and judgment problems, difficulty focusing on work or school tasks, and a preoccupation with getting more of the drug.