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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Drug Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Illicit Substances?

Quick, free drug trivia to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Elise UngerUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper cutout pills and capsules and green leaf surrounding quiz title on golden yellow background

This drug quiz helps you check what you know about legal, illegal, and recreational substances and spot gaps to review. Get a quick score with brief explanations, then deepen your knowledge with our weed quiz and focused drug trivia questions, or try a cannabis knowledge test if you want more on marijuana.

Which of the following is a stimulant drug?
Alcohol
Heroin
Cocaine
LSD
Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant that increases levels of dopamine by blocking its reuptake. It produces short-term euphoria and increased energy. It is derived from the coca plant native to South America. Learn more at .
Which substance is classified as an opioid?
Morphine
THC
Methamphetamine
MDMA
Morphine is a natural opioid derived from the opium poppy and is used medically for pain relief. It acts on mu-opioid receptors to produce analgesia. Misuse can lead to dependence and respiratory depression. More details at .
Which of these is a hallucinogen?
GHB
Nicotine
Psilocybin
Benzodiazepine
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring hallucinogen found in certain mushroom species. It acts primarily on serotonin receptors to alter perception, mood, and cognition. It is classified as a Schedule I substance in many countries due to its psychoactive effects. Read more at .
Which drug is primarily used as a depressant?
Alcohol
Ketamine
Cocaine
Amphetamine
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that slows brain activity and can impair coordination. It enhances GABAergic transmission causing sedative effects. Chronic misuse may lead to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. More at .
What is the primary psychoactive component in cannabis?
CBD
THC
CBN
THCV
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. It binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain altering mood, perception, and cognition. Other cannabinoids like CBD are non-intoxicating but may modulate THC effects. See for details.
What is MDMA commonly known as?
PCP
Heroin
Ecstasy
Speed
MDMA is often referred to as Ecstasy in recreational settings and sometimes as Molly. It produces both stimulant and mild hallucinogenic effects by increasing serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine release. Popular in party and rave scenes, it carries risks of dehydration and neurotoxicity. More at .
Which of these is an inhalant?
Methamphetamine
LSD
Cocaine
Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a common inhalant used medically for anesthesia and recreationally for its euphoric effects. Inhalants depress the central nervous system and can cause hypoxia. They are legal for medical use but abused illicitly. See for more information.
Which drug type does LSD belong to?
Hallucinogen
Opioid
Depressant
Stimulant
LSD is a classic hallucinogen that acts on serotonin receptors to produce profound changes in perception and consciousness. It does not function as a stimulant or depressant in the central sense. It is considered non-addictive but can cause psychological dependence. More details at .
Fentanyl belongs to which category?
Stimulant
Synthetic opioid
Hallucinogen
Depressant
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 - 100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed for severe pain but is also produced illicitly, contributing to overdose deaths. It acts on mu-opioid receptors to produce analgesia and respiratory depression. Read more at .
Which active chemical in tobacco causes addiction?
Carbon monoxide
Nicotine
Formaldehyde
Tar
Nicotine is the primary addictive substance in tobacco products. It activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, releasing dopamine and reinforcing use. Tar and carbon monoxide are harmful byproducts but not the main addictive agents. More information at .
Ketamine is used medically and illicitly; it is classified as what type of drug?
Stimulant
Dissociative anesthetic
Opioid
Hallucinogen
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that blocks NMDA receptors, causing sedation and dissociation. It has legitimate medical uses for anesthesia and pain management but is also abused for its hallucinogenic effects. It can cause memory deficits and bladder toxicity with heavy use. See .
Under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, heroin is classified as which schedule?
Schedule II
Schedule III
Schedule I
Schedule IV
Heroin is classified as a Schedule I substance under U.S. federal law, meaning it has high abuse potential and no accepted medical use. This classification prohibits legal prescription or medical use. Its Schedule I status reflects the risk of dependence and harm. Details at .
Which of the following describes benzodiazepines?
Opioids
Stimulants
Hallucinogens
Anti-anxiety depressants
Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants commonly prescribed for anxiety and insomnia. They enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA, producing sedative and muscle-relaxant effects. Misuse can lead to tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal. Learn more at .
Rohypnol is commonly referred to as what?
Date rape drug
Magic mushroom
Legal high
Designer amphetamine
Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) is commonly known as the date rape drug due to its potent sedative and amnesic effects. It is a benzodiazepine not approved for legal sale in the United States. It can incapacitate victims by causing profound sedation and memory loss. More information at .
Which of the following is a classic dissociative drug?
LSD
MDMA
Alcohol
PCP
Phencyclidine (PCP) is a classic dissociative anesthetic that can cause hallucinations and feelings of detachment from reality. It acts primarily by blocking NMDA receptors. It is known for unpredictable behavior and severe intoxication risks. For more, see .
Which substance is a common adulterant found in illicit cocaine?
Levamisole
Lactic acid
Caffeine
Glucose
Levamisole, an anti-worm medication for animals, is frequently detected as an adulterant in illicit cocaine. It can cause serious side effects like agranulocytosis. Dealers use it to bulk up volume and mimic cocaine's properties. Read more at .
What is the main mechanism of action of amphetamines?
Enhance GABAergic transmission
Inhibit serotonin reuptake
Block NMDA receptors
Increase dopamine and norepinephrine release
Amphetamines increase the release of dopamine and norepinephrine and inhibit their reuptake in synaptic clefts. This leads to heightened alertness, euphoria, and increased heart rate. Their action is distinct from GABA agonists or NMDA antagonists. More at .
2C-B is classified as which class of drugs?
Phenethylamine hallucinogen
Dissociative anesthetic
Stimulant
Opioid
2C-B is a synthetic phenethylamine hallucinogen known for its sensory and emotional effects. It acts on serotonin receptors similar to classic psychedelics. It is not an opioid or dissociative anesthetic. For more, see .
Which metabolite is most commonly tested for in urine drug screens to detect cannabis use?
11-Hydroxy-THC
Carboxy-THC
Benzoic acid
Hydroxycannabidiol
11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (carboxy-THC) is the primary metabolite screened for in urine drug tests. It remains detectable longer than active THC. Hydroxy-THC is present briefly and is less commonly measured. More at .
GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) is often classified as what type of substance?
Opioid
Depressant
Stimulant
Hallucinogen
GHB is a central nervous system depressant that can induce sedation, amnesia, and euphoria. It acts on GABA receptors and is used illicitly as a club drug and date rape agent. It differs from stimulants and hallucinogens in its mode of action. More at .
Which of these designer drugs is structurally closest to MDMA?
LSD derivative
2C-B
Fentanyl analogue
MDA
MDA (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine) is a close structural analogue of MDMA, differing only by the presence of an amine group placement. Both belong to the phenethylamine class and have similar psychoactive profiles. Other options are structurally distinct. More at .
Tolerance to many psychoactive drugs often results from which physiological process?
Receptor downregulation
Neurogenesis
Enhanced blood-brain barrier integrity
Increased renal clearance
Chronic exposure to many psychoactive drugs leads to receptor downregulation, where the number of active receptors decreases. This reduces drug effect over time, requiring higher doses to achieve the same response. Increased clearance and neurogenesis are less central to tolerance mechanisms. See .
Which of the following is an example of a synthetic cathinone?
Diazepam
Psilocin
Mephedrone
Hydrocodone
Mephedrone is a synthetic cathinone commonly found in designer stimulants known as 'bath salts.' It increases release of dopamine and norepinephrine, producing stimulant effects. Psilocin is a mushroom metabolite, while diazepam and hydrocodone are a benzodiazepine and opioid, respectively. More at .
The term 'entactogen' best describes which substance?
Morphine
Diazepam
LSD
MDMA
Entactogens are a class of psychoactive drugs that produce feelings of emotional openness and empathy. MDMA is the prototypical entactogen, enhancing prosocial behavior. LSD is a hallucinogen, morphine an opioid, and diazepam a benzodiazepine. Find out more at .
Khat contains which primary psychoactive alkaloid?
Nicotine
Yohimbine
Mescaline
Cathinone
Khat leaves contain cathinone, a stimulant that releases dopamine and norepinephrine. It produces mild euphoria and alertness similar to amphetamines. Yohimbine and mescaline are found in other plants, while nicotine is in tobacco. More at .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Drug Categories -

    After completing the illicit drugs quiz, you will be able to recognize and name the main classifications of substances: legal, illegal, and recreational.

  2. Distinguish Legal from Illegal Substances -

    You will learn to differentiate between regulated medicines and prohibited compounds by applying key legal definitions and real-world examples.

  3. Recall Common Recreational Drugs -

    This quiz will test and improve your memory of popular recreational substances, from natural plant-based drugs to synthetic variants.

  4. Apply Classification Criteria -

    By analyzing drug properties and legal status, you'll be able to classify new or unfamiliar substances accurately.

  5. Assess Your Drug Knowledge -

    Through scored feedback, you'll evaluate your strengths and gaps in drug terminology and categorization to guide further learning.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Drug Scheduling and Legal Classification -

    Based on the Controlled Substances Act and WHO guidelines, drugs are classified from Schedule I (high abuse, no accepted medical use) to Schedule V (low abuse potential). For example, heroin is Schedule I, while codeine cough syrups are Schedule V under federal law. Familiarity with schedules forms the backbone of any illicit drugs quiz or drug classification quiz (DEA, NIDA).

  2. Pharmacological Categories: Stimulants, Depressants, Hallucinogens -

    Substances are grouped by central nervous system effects - stimulants (e.g., amphetamines), depressants (e.g., benzodiazepines), and hallucinogens (e.g., LSD) - as outlined by NIH and Oxford pharmacology references. Knowing these categories helps predict physiological and psychological effects. A simple mnemonic is "S-D-H" for Stimulants, Depressants, Hallucinogens to speed recall during legal drugs trivia.

  3. Illicit vs. Medical vs. Recreational Use -

    Some drugs like opioids have both legitimate medical roles (e.g., pain control) and potential for nonmedical misuse, while others (e.g., MDMA) are predominantly recreational or illicit. Regulatory agencies such as the FDA and UNODC provide guidance on approved medical uses versus banned recreational forms. Distinguishing these contexts is crucial for acing a "know your drugs" quiz and avoiding misclassification.

  4. Mechanisms of Action and Pharmacokinetics -

    Most drugs follow first-order kinetics, where plasma concentration C(t)=C₀e❻ᵝᵗ and half-life t₝/₂=ln2/k, as noted in Goodman & Gilman's texts. Stimulants typically increase synaptic dopamine by blocking reuptake, while depressants enhance GABAergic inhibition (NIDA reports). Recognizing these mechanisms clarifies both therapeutic and adverse effects in your recreational drug quiz.

  5. Memory Aid "CLAIR" for Drug Profiles -

    To ace a drug classification quiz, use the mnemonic "CLAIR": Classification (schedule), Legal status, Action (mechanism), Indications, and Risks. This structured approach is recommended by university-level pharmacy curriculums and WHO training modules. By applying CLAIR, you'll confidently organize facts and boost recall under quiz conditions.

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