methaqualone drug Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/methaqualone Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/methaqualone Also known as: 714s, ludes, mandrax, quaaludes, sopors Written by Kara Rogers Kara Rogers is the senior editor of biomedical sciences at Encyclopædia Britannica, where she oversees a range of content from medicine and genetics to microorganisms. She joined Britannica in 2006 and... Kara Rogers Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Oct 31, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot a Question Ask the Chatbot a Question { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is methaqualone used for? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Methaqualone was historically used as a sedative-hypnotic drug for treating insomnia and anxiety. It was developed in the 1950s and was widely used for medical purposes in the 1960s and u201970s. However, it also became a popular recreational drug. Owing to its high addiction potential and extensive recreational use, the drug is now banned in most countries." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How does methaqualone work? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Methaqualone works by modulating the activity of GABA receptors. Its binding to these receptors enhances the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which acts to reduce the transmission of neural impulses. The actions of methaqualone result in sedation, characterized particularly by muscle relaxation and a feeling of euphoria." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are the risks of methaqualone overdose? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Methaqualone overdose can cause severe respiratory depression, leading to unconsciousness, coma, or death. The risk of overdose is heightened when methaqualone is combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants. Such combinations were actively sought out by individuals who used the drug recreationally." } } ] } Top Questions What is methaqualone used for? Methaqualone was historically used as a sedative-hypnotic drug for treating insomnia and anxiety. It was developed in the 1950s and was widely used for medical purposes in the 1960s and ’70s. However, it also became a popular recreational drug. Owing to its high addiction potential and extensive recreational use, the drug is now banned in most countries.

　　How does methaqualone work? Methaqualone works by modulating the activity of GABA receptors. Its binding to these receptors enhances the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which acts to reduce the transmission of neural impulses. The actions of methaqualone result in sedation, characterized particularly by muscle relaxation and a feeling of euphoria.

　　What are the risks of methaqualone overdose? Methaqualone overdose can cause severe respiratory depression, leading to unconsciousness, coma, or death. The risk of overdose is heightened when methaqualone is combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants. Such combinations were actively sought out by individuals who used the drug recreationally.

　　methaqualone, sedative-hypnotic drug that was historically used in the treatment of insomnia and anxiety and that became widely known as a recreational drug with a dangerously high potential for addiction. Today, in most countries worldwide, methaqualone has no accepted medical use and is illegal to possess, manufacture, or distribute. Methaqualone is a derivative of quinazolinone, an aromatic compound with biological activities relevant to medicine. The drug exerts its effects by modulating the activity of receptors for the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which functions to reduce the transmission of neural impulses in the brain. The drug acts specifically on GABAA ...(100 of 899 words)

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