The
recreational drug speedball that several
writeups here describe may actually consist of any powerful
stimulant and any powerful
depressant. It is usually
injected. Taking the two drugs together may seem
counterproductive, but in fact both
stimulation and
relaxation are complex phenomena. The
depressant relieves the
jitteriness and physiological symptoms like
clenched teeth and
racing heart without
nullifying the stimulant's
emotional effects. It also cushions the
crash.
The incomplete overlap between areas of effect also makes speedballs very dangerous. The reason is that many stimulants do not effect the
respiratory depression effects of depressant drugs. Usually, if a given dose of depressant will make you stop breathing, a lesser dose will knock you into a
stupor. But the stimulants can keep you awake and able to administer more drug right up to the point of
overdose. Combine this with the impaired judgement and sense of
invulnerability that many people feel on
cocaine or
methamphetamine, and you can see the potential for disaster.