"Methaqualone is a central nervous system depressant similar to barbiturates. When taken in moderate doses (150-300 mg) the drug produces depression of brain function and a quiet, deep sleep. Higher doses (more than 300 mg) have been known to cause general anaesthesia, depression, and seizures. Street users of methaqualone have reported a feeling of quiescence, relaxation, friendliness, and receptiveness, and a loss of inhibitions. These feelings led to methaqualones's reputation as an aphrodisiac, a drug that increases sexual desire, However, the notion that methaqualone enhances sexual performance and pleasure is not based on fact. Although methaqualone may lower inhibitions and increase sexual desire, it actually reduces an individual's ability to perform sexually.

Street Users often combine methaqualone with alcohol (known as "luding out"). This combination produces a pleasant sense of well being, an increased pain threshold, an impairment of proprioceptive (position) sense (which induces severe ataxia, or incoordination), and parathesthesia, or tingling of the fingers, lips, and tongue. The painless, pleasant ataxia [can give] the user illusions of indestructibility, which in turn may lead to euphoria. However, this state can be dangerous. There have been cases of users in this ataxic, euphoric state falling down a flight of stairs and not feeling the bruises until the following day...

Some street users describe the methaqualone sensation as peaceful and calm, as a rush, or as similar to being drunk. Others actually claim that it is fighting off the urge to sleep which gives them a methaqualone high."