The New Synthetic Drugs: Their Effects And Characteristics
Synthetic drugs are increasingly present in the leisure of young people today, as well as those not so young and in people of all social strata and socioeconomic levels.
It is a very popular form of recreation in certain social circles that can have unknown and dangerous effects on the lives of the people who consume it, even putting their lives at risk.
Designer drugs are currently a public health problem in many countries around us, especially in Western societies, which is why it is necessary to know first-hand its nature, effects and characteristics.
Effects and characteristics of new synthetic drugs
Designer drugs can be defined more specifically as substances created artificially by humans based on the manipulation of all types of chemicals.
Typically, these substances are created with the objective of simulating the psychopharmacological effects of other already established drugs, whether synthetic or not ; effects that may be greater or lesser depending on the composition of each substance. Furthermore, the novelty of these designer drugs gives rise to fads, which become a recurring topic of conversation in certain social circles, such as regular attendees at raves and chemsex sessions.
In addition to that, another objective of designer drugs is to avoid being classified as illegal and to go unnoticed in tests and analyzes of all kinds; which is why some of its components are changed during its synthesis.
Since health and police authorities work tirelessly to pursue and outlaw them, people who are involved in the synthetic drug business They periodically change the compositions of the substances they sell to the public, again so that they are not detected and prohibited
As indicated, designer drugs operate differently in the human body depending on their composition and synthesis. Below we will see what the main effects of designer drugs are and the main characteristics of the most popular ones.
1. 4-CMC
4-CMC or 4-chloromethcathinone is a yellow and white synthetic drug, whose effects are stimulating and also psychedelic, which is why it is usually taken in festive, leisure and recreational contexts.
This drug is usually administered orally and some of its effects are similar to those of MDMA: euphoria, increased sociability, increased sexual desire, increased energy, and sometimes visual or auditory hallucinations
As for the snorted route, the effects of 4-CMC are stimulants, similar to those of methamphetamine. In addition to that, the duration of these effects both orally and snorted is between 2 and 4 hours.
Among the main adverse effects of 4-CMC are anxiety, excessive sweating, tachycardia, elevated blood pressure, insomnia, increased body temperature and peripheral vasoconstriction.
2. Flakka
No list of new synthetic drugs would be complete without talking about Flakka, one of the most dangerous substances that exist in the field of nightlife; It is based on the active ingredient of the alpha-PVP compound, a very powerful stimulant This substance is popularly known as the “Hulk drug” or “$5 madness” due to its low price and high effect on the body.
Flakka can be consumed orally, snorted, smoked or injected and its effects include euphoria, increased alertness, sexual arousal, increased movement and increased sensation of one’s own energy
Some adverse effects of this drug are hallucinations, extreme aggression, psychosis, panic attacks, paranoia, arrhythmia and hypertension.
3. RCS-4
The drug known as RCS-4, also called Eric-4, BTM-4 and SR-19, is a synthetic cannabinoid that is sold illegally with the purpose of offering a relatively simple and cheap way to bring the consumer to a state of relaxation and temporary well-being. Due to its novelty, it has only begun to be banned in several countries since 2010. Many times, it is marketed in small balls of what is known as “Spice”.
Spice or zombie drug (not to be confused with the “cannibal drug”) is an herbal compound, usually based on dehydrated leaves and stems that have been covered by a film of synthetic cannabinoids, among which it is common to find RCS-4. Its name is due to the fact that after taking it, consumers, who are usually people of low economic level, tend to wander around the city disoriented until they faint.
This product is created in illegal laboratories, with the consequent lack of control and health guarantees, with the aim of imitating the effects of THC; However, its “natural” appearance means that it is also consumed by a certain profile of people who normally distrust synthetic drugs.
The effects of this drug can be truly dangerous to the point that a person may overdose. Disorientation, staggering, and cognitive difficulties are some of the classic effects of the drug spice.
MDMC is very similar to MDMA, and in fact, its reason for being is to try to avoid the prohibitions applied to the second; For this reason, it is not prohibited in many countries around the world, something that helps prevent people who go out partying from being distrustful of the consequences of taking it.
These are other of the most popular synthetic psychoactive substances consumed in the Western countries around us, among other things because it is classified under the guise of a “light” drug, as its main objective is to improve the person’s mood. Now, as with all substances of this type, Its true effects are very unpredictable and many times it is sold adulterated.
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