A Mini-Review on Different Commonly Used Abusive Drugs and the Interactions of These Drugs and Chinese Herbs

Abstract Abusive drugs are used recreationally by young adults worldwide and are often used in combination with different abusive agents. In this brief review, we summarize the effects of some commonly used recreational drugs like ketamine, amphetamine, cocaine, and opioid and their interaction with each other and with some Chinese herbal agents. We present the therapeutic value of the commonly used Chinese herbs like Chrysanthemum sp., Gastrodia elata , Rheum rhabarbarum , Panax ginseng , and notoginseng. Other herbs with functions related to the central nervous system, for example, Radix zanthoxyli , Corydalis yanhusuo , and Salvia miltiorrhiza , are also discussed.