The quaalude comeback: a once ‘extinct’ drug from the 70s makes a resurgence
Underground chemists are now producing the notorious party drug after a Scorsese film sparked renewed interest
TL;DR
- Quaaludes were effectively eliminated in the US after a ban in 1984.
- The 2013 movie 'Wolf of Wall Street' re-ignited curiosity about quaaludes, leading to their resurgence.
- Underground chemists, particularly in South Africa, are now producing methaqualone (the active ingredient in quaaludes).
- Quaaludes have reappeared on the darkweb and more recently on platforms like Telegram and Reddit discussions.
- The drug's reappearance is directly linked to the movie's influence, creating a 'Wolf of Wall Street cool' appeal.
- Despite their notorious reputation and documented dangers, some users view quaaludes as a way to mitigate anxiety or connect with others.
- The movie's depiction, while glamorous, showcased dangerous and immobilizing effects, including Jordan Belfort's infamous crawling incident.
- Quaaludes have a significant risk of addiction, rapid tolerance development, and can be physiologically destructive, leading to their original ban.
- Bill Cosby also notoriously used quaaludes to facilitate sexual assaults.
- Jordan Belfort, the subject of the movie, displays quaalude memorabilia in his home but claims he cannot obtain the drug due to its illegality.