What Are Quaaludes? Understanding Methaqualone

Quaaludes, the brand name for methaqualone, are a type of sedative-hypnotic drug that was originally prescribed to treat insomnia and anxiety. Also known as ludes, 714s, and by street names like Lemmon 714 or Rorer 714, quaaludes were widely used and abused in the United States and globally throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

Methaqualone acts as a central nervous system depressant, inducing relaxation, drowsiness, and in higher doses, a euphoric “quaalude high.” Often mistaken for a barbiturate, it actually belongs to a separate drug class, though the sedative effects are similar. The appeal of quaaludes, also called quaalude pills, came from their ability to relieve tension while producing a powerful, slow-onset buzz that made them notorious in pop culture.

The History of Quaaludes: From Medical Marvel to Street Drug

First synthesized in India in 1951, methaqualone became available in Europe under various names, including Mandrax in the UK and South Africa. By the mid-1960s, American pharmaceutical companies were marketing it under the name Quaalude, which was intentionally chosen to sound like “quiet interlude.”

By the 1970s, quaaludes were rampant across the U.S. under brand labels like Lemmon 714. Their popularity soared among college students, musicians, and nightlife enthusiasts, earning them the nickname “disco biscuits”. However, their misuse also led to increasing addiction and overdose cases. Government crackdowns led to the reclassification of quaaludes as a Schedule I controlled substance in the U.S. in 1984. Other countries like the UK also classified them as Class B drugs, making production and distribution illegal.

What Did Quaaludes Feel Like? Exploring the Effects and High

So, what does a quaalude high feel like? Users described the effect as a combination of intense relaxation, slowed motor skills, and euphoric detachment. It typically took around 20 to 40 minutes to kick in and could last for several hours. When taken with alcohol, the risk of fatal respiratory depression increased drastically.

The effects of quaaludes—slurred speech, impaired coordination, lowered inhibitions—contributed to both its allure and danger. Users often asked, “What do quaaludes do to your brain and body?” The answer: they suppress nerve activity to induce a dreamlike state, which many found pleasurable but equally hazardous. These sedatives were sometimes considered more powerful than modern drugs like Xanax or Ambien.

Quaaludes and Pop Culture: Lemmon 714 and the Wolf of Wall Street

Pop culture immortalized quaaludes in the 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street, where Leonardo DiCaprio’s portrayal of Jordan Belfort famously depicted the aftereffects of consuming Lemmon 714s. The pill’s round white appearance, stamped with “714”, became iconic. Beyond film, musicians like David Bowie and Frank Zappa referenced quaaludes in lyrics, further embedding them in the cultural landscape.

The term “lemon quaalude” even emerged in popular slang. While today’s audiences may ask, “What is a quaalude today?” or “Do they still make quaaludes?”, the truth is the real substance is long gone—modern versions are often dangerous counterfeits.

Why Were Quaaludes Banned and Are They Still Made Today?

By the late 1970s and early 1980s, rising addiction rates and fatalities brought scrutiny to quaaludes. Authorities began asking, “Why did they stop making quaaludes?” and eventually answered with legal prohibition. Quaaludes were banned due to their high abuse potential, addictive nature, and interaction risks—particularly when combined with alcohol.

While the original methaqualone is no longer produced legally, some counterfeit versions claiming to be quaalude 714 or lemmon pills circulate on the black market. However, these are usually a cocktail of barbiturates and tranquilizers designed to mimic the original high but carry greater health risks. Despite widespread myths, quaaludes are not still made, at least not in any legal or pharmaceutical context.

Quaaludes vs. Other Sedatives: Are There Any Similar Drugs Today?

Are quaaludes still prescribed? No. But comparisons are often drawn to other sedatives. While methaqualone is neither a benzodiazepine nor a barbiturate, it shares traits with both. Drugs like Valium, Xanax, and Rohypnol (often dubbed the “quaaludes of the 90s”) produce some similar effects—muscle relaxation, memory suppression, sedation—but do not replicate the precise euphoric disconnection quaaludes were known for.

The comparison of quaaludes vs. Xanax or quaaludes vs. Ambien comes up frequently, especially in online discussions. But each drug belongs to a different pharmacological family and carries unique risks and mechanisms of action.

Street Names, Slang, and Black Market Variants of Quaaludes

The term quaalude was originally a trademarked brand name, but over time it became a blanket term for methaqualone and its many street iterations. Common slang includes ludes, 714s, lemon 714, quail ludes, and lemmon 714 pills. Other monikers like “disco biscuits” or “quaaludes lemon” reflect both their recreational reputation and the era in which they thrived.

In the absence of legitimate quaaludes, street dealers have marketed counterfeit versions under these nostalgic names, often containing unknown sedatives or tranquilizers.

Mandrax and Global Use: Quaaludes in the UK, South Africa, and Beyond

While the U.S. knew them as quaaludes, in the UK and South Africa, the equivalent was Mandrax. This version often contained methaqualone and antihistamines and gained traction in the 1970s and 1980s. Even after the original drug became illegal, South Africa reportedly remained a hotspot for methaqualone abuse, with mandrax pills still showing up in police seizures.

In South Africa, methaqualone is sometimes smoked with cannabis in a cocktail called a “white pipe,” making it even more dangerous due to the unpredictable combination of depressants.

Are Quaaludes Addictive? Understanding the Risks and Abuse Potential

Quaaludes were heavily marketed in their early years as a safer alternative to barbiturates, but that myth quickly unraveled. The drug carried a high risk of addiction, particularly when used recreationally or mixed with alcohol.

Why were quaaludes made illegal? The drug caused numerous deaths, prompted emergency regulations, and was eventually added to Schedule I due to its high abuse and no accepted medical use in the U.S.

Those seeking drugs with a similar profile today often ask, “What is similar to a quaalude?” The truth is: nothing legally available provides the exact experience—and pursuing that feeling through illegal substitutes is incredibly dangerous.

Find Healing Beyond the High: Start Your Recovery Today

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance misuse—whether it’s Quaaludes, methaqualone, or any other sedative drug—Asana Recovery is here to help. Our compassionate, evidence-based treatment programs offer a path forward from addiction and toward lasting wellness. At Asana Recovery, we understand the lasting impact of drugs like Lemmon 714, and we’re committed to helping you regain control. Don’t wait—contact us today to learn more about our individualized detox and recovery plans.

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• Alcohol and Drug Rehab in Costa Mesa
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Frequently Asked Questions About Quaaludes

What are quaaludes?

Quaaludes are the brand name for methaqualone, a powerful sedative-hypnotic drug that was once commonly prescribed for insomnia and anxiety. Known colloquially as “ludes”, “disco biscuits”, and “714s”, these tablets became infamous for their recreational abuse in the 1970s and 1980s.

What do quaaludes do to your body?

Quaaludes’ effects include deep sedation, muscle relaxation, euphoria, and impaired motor coordination. Users often reported a quaalude high that felt like a blend between being drunk and tranquilized. When combined with alcohol, the drug significantly increased the risk of overdose, coma, and death — one major reason why quaaludes were banned.

Are quaaludes still made today?

No, quaaludes are no longer manufactured legally. Methaqualone was classified as a Schedule I drug in the United States in 1984, meaning it has no approved medical use and a high potential for abuse. However, street versions of quaalude pills — sometimes falsely marketed as Lemmon 714 or Mandrax pills — can still be found in parts of South Africa, India, and the black market.

Why did they stop making quaaludes?

Quaaludes were pulled from the market due to widespread addiction, misuse, and quaalude-related deaths. Their popularity among partygoers and misuse in criminal activities (such as date rape) led to growing concern. Their classification as a controlled substance was reinforced by increasing evidence of quaalude addiction and adverse effects.

What is a quaalude compared to today?

While there’s no legal equivalent to quaaludes today, some users compare its sedative effects to benzodiazepines like Valium, Librium, or Rohypnol (flunitrazepam). However, methaqualone was not a barbiturate or a benzo, making it chemically unique. Many seeking similar effects now misuse Xanax or Ambien, though none fully replicate the classic quaalude high.

What is the street name for quaaludes?

Methaqualone street names included ludes, soapers, mandies, lemons, disco biscuits, 714s, and qualoods. Pills often bore the imprint “Lemmon 714”, referencing the manufacturer Lemmon Pharmaceuticals. In the UK and South Africa, Mandrax was the common name.

What did quaaludes look like?

The most iconic quaalude pills were oval-shaped, white tablets with “714” stamped on one side — hence the popular term “Lemmon 714 quaaludes”. These were widely recognized in pop culture, especially after being featured in films like The Wolf of Wall Street.

What were quaaludes used for?

Initially, quaaludes were prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and muscle spasms. Physicians believed methaqualone offered a safer alternative to barbiturates, but widespread abuse — particularly for its use as a recreational party drug and sexual disinhibitor — changed its reputation.

When were quaaludes popular?

Quaaludes were most popular in the United States during the 1970s and early 1980s, particularly in the disco scene and on college campuses. They were often taken recreationally, sometimes referred to as “housewife drugs” or “quaaludes for relaxation.”

Are there drugs similar to quaaludes?

While there’s no exact legal replacement for methaqualone, drugs with similar sedative effects include benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, alprazolam) and non-benzo hypnotics like zolpidem (Ambien). That said, these medications differ in chemical structure and risk profile from quaaludes.

Informational Sources

• Gass, J. T., & Foster Olive, M. (2008). Methaqualone (Quaalude): History, Pharmacology, and Abuse Potential. Current Drug Abuse Reviews, 1(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874473710801010001
  
  
• Herzberg, D. (2020). White market drugs: Big pharma and the hidden history of addiction in America. University of Chicago Press.
  
  
• Low, H., & Heyden, T. (2015, July 9). The rise and fall of Quaaludes. BBC News Magazine. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-33466190
  
  
• Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). Drugs of Abuse: A DEA Resource Guide. U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Drugs%20of%20Abuse%202020-Web%20Version-508%20compliant.pdf
  
  
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). Prescription CNS depressants drug facts. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-cns-depressants
  
  
• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). (2011). World Drug Report 2011. United Nations publication. https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/WDR-2011.html