Rauschwerte

Rauschwerte (German for “intoxication values”) are quantitative parameters used in pharmacology, toxicology and forensic science to describe the potency and effects of psychoactive substances. The term encompasses a range of dose‑related measures that indicate the level at which a substance produces perceptible intoxication, therapeutic effects, or toxic outcomes in a population. Commonly cited Rauschwerte include the effective dose for 50 % of subjects (ED50), the median lethal dose (LD50), the minimum observable effect level (MOEL) and the no‑observable‑effect level (NOEL). In clinical contexts the term may refer to the dose required to achieve a desired psychotropic effect, such as euphoria, sedation or hallucination, while in forensic settings it is used to assess the risk of overdose or to estimate the contribution of a drug to an accident or death.

Rauschwerte are determined through controlled experiments on animal models, human volunteer studies or epidemiological data. Values are expressed in milligrams of active substance per kilogram of body weight (mg kg⁻¹) or as absolute dosages for standard adult weights. Because individual susceptibility varies with genetics, tolerance, age, health status and concurrent substance use, Rauschwerte are considered statistical averages rather than precise thresholds for any single person.

Regulatory agencies employ Rauschwerte to classify substances, set legal limits, and design safety guidelines for medical prescribing and occupational exposure. Critics note that the extrapolation of animal‑derived Rauschwerte to humans can introduce uncertainty, prompting ongoing refinement of testing methods and the inclusion of pharmacokinetic modelling to improve predictive accuracy.