Erowid
 
 
Plants - Drugs Mind - Spirit Freedom - Law Arts - Culture Library  
Methaqualone (Quaalude)
Effects
by Erowid
DURATION #
Caution :   Reactions and experiences may vary dramatically from person to person. [see below]
Methaqualone Duration
Oral
Total Duration
4.5 - 8 hrs
Onset
30 mins
Coming Up
30 mins
Plateau
2 - 4 hrs
Coming Down
2 - 4 hrs
 
 
After Effects
6 - 8 hrs
Hangover / Day After
- - -
 
EFFECTS LIST #
POSITIVE
  • relaxation
  • calmness
  • euphoria
  • tingling or numbness throughout the body
  • self confidence
  • sexual arousal
NEUTRAL
  • drowsiness
  • incoordination
  • sleep
NEGATIVE
  • dizziness
  • slurring of speech
  • anxiety and restlessness (at low doses)
  • weakness
  • agitation
  • paranoia, fear, and panic
  • decreases ability to perform sexually
  • possible loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting
  • rapid development of tolerance leading to physical dependence
DESCRIPTION #
From the Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Drugs: Methaqualone, Carrol M, Gallo G, Snyder S, Lader MH, 1985:
"Methaqualone is a central nervous system depressant similar to barbiturates. When taken in moderate doses (150-300 mg) the drug produces depression of brain function and a quiet, deep sleep. Higher doses (more than 300 mg) have been known to cause general anaesthesia, depression, and seizures. Street users of methaqualone have reported a feeling of quiescence, relaxation, friendliness, and receptiveness, and a loss of inhibitions. These feelings led to methaqualones's reputation as an aphrodisiac, a drug that increases sexual desire, However, the notion that methaqualone enhances sexual performance and pleasure is not based on fact. Although methaqualone may lower inhibitions and increase sexual desire, it actually reduces an individual's ability to perform sexually.

Street Users often combine methaqualone with alcohol (known as "luding out"). This combination produces a pleasant sense of well being, an increased pain threshold, an impairment of proprioceptive (position) sense (which induces severe ataxia, or incoordination), and parathesthesia, or tingling of the fingers, lips, and tongue. The painless, pleasant ataxia [can give] the user illusions of indestructibility, which in turn may lead to euphoria. However, this state can be dangerous. There have been cases of users in this ataxic, euphoric state falling down a flight of stairs and not feeling the bruises until the following day...

Some street users describe the methaqualone sensation as peaceful and calm, as a rush, or as similar to being drunk. Others actually claim that it is fighting off the urge to sleep which gives them a methaqualone high."

CAUTION & DISCLAIMER #
Erowid's effects information is a summary of data gathered from users, research, and other resources. This information is intended to describe the range of effects people report experiencing. Effects may vary dramatically from one person to another or one experience to another based on a variety of factors such as body chemistry, age, gender, physical health, dose, form of material, etc.