To quote Bob Dylan, "Everybody must get stoned." Now far be it for us to advocate any kind of illegal drug use. But our favorite science-fiction worlds offer plenty of options for those looking to, uh, expand their consciousness. These fantastic narcotics are not all created equal though.
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While some might bestow superpowers and psychic abilities, others will leave folks hopelessly addicted and rotting from the inside out. But the thing all the drugs on this list share is their extreme potency. It's a good thing they're all fictional. These are the 10 most potent Sci-Fi narcotics, ranked.
Nuke (Robocop 2)
If there's one drug on this list you definitely don't want to take, it's Nuke. One drop is all it takes to get someone addicted. So strong is Nuke's hook, that its users have formed a cult around the drug's designer and distributor Cain (Tom Noonan). Who is himself addicted to Nuke.
Some kind of injectable red liquid, it's unclear exactly what effects Nuke has beyond general euphoria. It was really meant as a sci-fi stand-in for crack cocaine, fitting Robocop 2's early 90s production period. Good thing Robocop got Nuke off the streets.
The Invisibility Formula (The Invisible Man)
At this point in time, this old-school sci-fi drug is a bona fide classic. At first blush, Dr. Griffin's Invisibility Formula doesn't seem that dangerous. It does exactly what it's supposed to after all, make somebody invisible. But as this sci-fi horror classic and its sequels show, the invisibility serum effects the mind as well as the body.
Namely, it induces megalomania and egotism. Griffin declared a reign of terror and a new dynasty after he decided to not reverse his invisible condition. Though this was kind of undercut by the fact that he was, you know, just running around in the nude while being a jerk.
Soma (Brave New World)
Sometimes you just need to take the edge off. The dystopian government of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World recognizes this, and is more than happy to provide Soma for that purpose. A literal happy pill, Soma is the means by which the populace is controlled, numbing them into placid obedience.
As the book itself describes it, "all the advantages of Christianity and alcohol; none of the defects." Soma doesn't always work though, and for those on whom its effects stop working, they'll realize what kind of horror show they really live in. Still, no hangover.
Plutonium Nyborg (Heavy Metal)
The sci-fi drug of choice for space truckers. Plutonium Nyborg only makes a brief appearance in this cult classic animated anthology, but it sure is a memorable one. Two alien abductors pump it out of bag with a weird vacuum cleaner/floor buffer device, then snort lines of the powder.
But despite looking like cocaine, the cyborg's effects are more like LSD. It causes hallucinations, loss of motor functions, and unlicensed cameos by the Starship Enterprise. Given how a movie like Heavy Metal is best enjoyed, we're surprised there's only one drug in it.
NZT-48 (Limitless)
Limitless is one of the best explorations of fictional narcotics. In this movie, the NZT-48 pill is able to turn schlub Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) into a super genius basically overnight. But as with even beneficial pharmaceuticals, there are downsides.
Eddie needs to keep taking the pills to maintain his super intelligence, and double-dosing messes up his perceptions. That's not even mentioning the overdoses. But NZT-48 is still a pretty potent pill, and Eddie gets around the defects, though it pales when compared to other things on this list.
Substance D (A Scanner Darkly)
Philip K Dick's work contained many fictional pharmaceuticals, but Substance D left the biggest impact. Nicknamed "Slow Death", it's a powerful hallucinogen that eventually destroys a user's ability to perceive reality. So it doesn't help that narcotics investigator Bob Actor (Keanu Reeves in the film) is addicted to the stuff.
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What Substance D really does is kept vague, but both film and book give it a strong reality due to Dick's own experience in the drug culture. In fact, his novel is even dedicated to many friends he lost to addiction. This drug's high is something not worth chasing.
The Red & Blue Pills (The Matrix)
Leave it to The Matrix to perfectly illustrate the effects of most fictional drugs. On the one hand, the Blue Pill will keep those who take it numb and trapped in a pleasant fantasy reality. But on the other hand, the red pill will awaken the taker's consciousness and reveal the hidden truth of the universe.
It's just another philosophical dilemma in a film full of them and many people have discussed which pill they would take if offered. You might say the Red Pill off the bat, but really think about it.
Would you?
Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster (The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy)
Okay, we really shouldn't be including this one. Technically speaking, it's an alcoholic cocktail, not a narcotic. But any drink that can be described as "having your brains smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped around a large gold brick" and is banned from being served on several planets has to make the list.
The Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster is the cocktail of choice for galactic playboy president Zaphod Beeblebrox and even he doesn't recommend drinking more than two at a time. Earthly recipes are available online, if you dare.
CPH4 (Lucy)
First of all, the whole "You only use 10% of your brain" myth is hogwash. That being said, this action-packed sci-fi thriller starring Scarlett Johansson makes good use of it. The reason the titular Lucy is able to activate the other 90%, and gain amazing superpowers, is because of the drug CPH4.
A little bit will act like the pills from Limitless, but a whole bag bursting in your stomach like Lucy seriously revs up your evolution. Unfortunately, CPH4 will cause your body to start dissolving if you overuse your superpowers or don't act fast to stabilize them.
The Spice Melange (Dune)
Other drugs on this list might give you superpowers. But only The Spice will let you see the future, make you nearly immortal, and open up wormholes in space. Imbibing Melange turns Paul Atreides from a near-superhuman messiah into a quite literal one. There's a reason that they say, "He who controls The Spice, controls the universe."
But with the highest high, Melange also has the greatest lows. Withdrawal is fatal and it can found in only one place, the desert planet Arrakkis. Not to mention that The Spice is actually sandworm poop. But hey, it gives you cool blue within blue eyes!