People at raves or techno parties, using drugs and dancing. That’s a stereotype, right?

Well, while not everyone in that scene (or any scene) uses drugs, enough people do indulge, creating a connection between the parties and drugs that seems hard to shake.

The connection between drugs and parties isn’t new. People have hosted parties specifically centered around the use of drugs, such as parties focused on the use of LSD. People host parties called keg parties or keggers because they feature kegs of beer. Sometimes, people even use the word party to mean drug and alcohol use, as in the question, “Do you party?”

What kind of drugs do people at raves use? The answers vary, but drugs known as party drugs and club drugs include Rohypnol (roofies), GHB, MDMA (Molly or ecstasy), methamphetamine (meth), and LSD.

Many of these drugs create a feeling of warmth and well-being. Many create positive feelings for others, leading to their nickname as love drugs. But these feelings might not be such a good thing. People might try being social with others who don’t want to accept their social overtures, or people might engage in unprotected sex or other risky emotion-fueled behaviors.

Club and party drugs can also create other side effects. Some people use Rohypnol and GHB as date rape drugs, so they clearly have the ability to incapacitate their users physically and mentally. It can be dangerous enough if people knowingly use these drugs. If they don’t know that they’re using them, they can be extremely vulnerable and in great danger.

Using such drugs creates other side effects. Meth is a stimulant. This means it stimulates the heart and different body processes. Considering that people are already hot, sweaty and dancing in crowded rooms, meth can stimulate bodies that are already stimulated, a dangerous development.

People might use club and party drugs for a temporary high, but they might want to consider the long-term effects of such drugs.