Shorthand term for Mandrax (pronounced "Mandrakes"), a line of highly addictive British pharmaceutical tablets no longer in legal production. They act as barbiturates (or "downers") and were prescribed as sleeping aids in the late 60s and early 70s. They are prevalent on the drug market in many African countries, as well as a few
south Asian countries. As Mandrax was initially produced in pill form and meant to be taken orally, many abusers ground up the pills and smoke them with Dagga, because like most other illicit substances, the
effects are greatly enhanced when snorted, smoked, consumed in
conjunction with alcohol or injected into the bloodstream. Short-term side effects are not much worse than your average anti-depressant (cramps, headaches,
emotional problems, etc.) but loss of muscle control (resulting in the user suddenly collapsing) and toxin-induced psychosis have also been found to result from Mandrax use.
