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Quaalude (Methaqualone) is a sedative/hypnotic central nervous system depressant similar to barbiturates. It is most often taken orally in tablet form and produces a range of effects including light sedation, euphoria and sleep at lower doses, and unconsciousness and sometimes seizures at high doses.
Highly addictive
In South Africa the common street drug Mandrax contains methaqualone as the active ingredient. Mandrax is a synthetic drug that is made into a tablet by the mixing of chemicals in a chemical process.
Mandrax was initially marketed as a sedative or sleeping tablet by French pharmaceutical giant Roussell Laboratories. It turned out to be highly addictive and was banned in 1977.
Common street names for the drug include: whites, buttons, mandies.
South Africa has the highest per capita mandrax abuse in the world. Mandrax (methaqualone) tablets are usually powdered and smoked with a mixture of cannabis or tobacco in a bottleneck pipe called a "white pipe" or "witwyf".
The heaven:
You feel totally laid back, at peace and without a care in the world. You're giving the world the proverbial finger.
The hell:
Take too much of it and you'll feel nauseous, lose consciousness or fall into a stupor.
Effects on the body:
Mandrax users can develop physical and psychological dependence on the drug, constantly craving its effects, but needing more and more to get the desired high.
Effects on the brain:
Mandrax use alters the brain chemicals, suppressing brain function so that the user becomes like a zombie.
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