QUAALUDES Meaning and
Definition
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Quaaludes, short for Methaqualone, is a synthetic depressant drug that was widely used as a sedative and hypnotic in the late 1960s and 1970s. It belongs to the family of sedative-hypnotic medications known as quinazolinones. Quaaludes were initially introduced as a safer alternative to barbiturates, as they were believed to be less addictive and possess fewer side effects.
Quaaludes were primarily prescribed to treat insomnia and anxiety disorders, known for their ability to induce a state of relaxation and sedation. The drug acts on the central nervous system, slowing down brain activity and producing a calming effect. It achieves this by enhancing the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter responsible for reducing neuronal excitability.
Considered a popular recreational drug due to its potent central nervous system depressant effects, Quaaludes gained notoriety for its misuse and abuse. When used recreationally, Quaaludes can induce euphoria, relieve social inhibitions, and heighten sexual experience. However, they have a high potential for dependence and addiction.
Due to growing concerns about misuse and abuse, the production and sale of Quaaludes were restricted and eventually banned in many countries. Today, the drug is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the United States Controlled Substances Act, indicating its high abuse potential, lack of accepted medical use, and severe safety concerns.
Common Misspellings for QUAALUDES
- 1uaaludes
- 2uaaludes
- wuaaludes
- auaaludes
- qyaaludes
- qhaaludes
- qjaaludes
- qiaaludes
- q8aaludes
- q7aaludes
- quzaludes
- qusaludes
- quwaludes
- quqaludes
- quazludes
- quasludes
- quawludes
- quaqludes
- quaakudes
- quaapudes
Etymology of QUAALUDES
The word "Quaaludes" is a proprietary name for a sedative and hypnotic drug called methaqualone. The term "Quaaludes" is derived from the drug's chemical name, "methaqualone".
The chemical name "methaqualone" is a combination of two components: "meth-" refers to the molecule's methyl group, which is a functional group consisting of a carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms. The second part of the name, "aqualone", is derived from "aqua" meaning water, and "-lone" indicating a ketone group within the molecule's structure.
When the drug was first synthesized in the 1950s by a team of researchers at the pharmaceutical company Individab, they initially referred to it as "Mandrax".
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