What Is Flakka And Why Is It So Dangerous?

Flakka is the street name of a relatively new synthetic psychoactive drug. Since that is a mouthful and nearly impossible to remember, it is more popularly known as flakka, flocka or gravel. Flakka is coined from the Spanish slang “la flaca” which is often used to describe a pretty skinny girl, especially in the context of clubbing. Drug labs and distributors often come up with cool and hip names for the drugs to attract sales. Flakka is often found as white or pink crystal chunks that are likened to aquarium gravel or pebbles. This type of detox program isn’t generally recommended for people addicted to flakka, or those who have a history of addiction to other substances, including alcohol.

What are the immediate effects of Flakka?

A part of the cathinone class, Flakka is a very addictive substance created in laboratories in order to produce euphoric symptoms in people trying to obtain a cheap, quick high. Cathinones have been found to stimulate the release of dopamine and inhibit the reuptake of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the central nervous system. Since cathinones are hydrophobic molecules, they can easily cross cell membranes and the blood brain barrier, allowing them to heavily interact with the monoamine transporters in the synaptic cleft between neurons [2]. Effective treatment typically includes a combination of medical detoxification, behavioral therapies, and ongoing support to manage cravings and prevent relapse.

How Is The Drug Flakka Different From Other Synthetic Drugs?

These drugs are all related to a broader group of chemical compounds known as synthetic cathinones, chemically similar to a substance found in the khat plant, which is known for its amphetamine-like stimulant effects. Some brand names of synthetic cathinones include Bliss, Vanilla Sky, Lunar Wave, Cloud Nine, and White Lightning. Flakka is the street name for the synthetic cathinone called alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (Alpha-PVP). Α-PVP can be orally ingested, smoked, snorted, used parenterally, and also vaporized in e-cigarette devices.

Symptoms of Flakka Abuse & Addiction

Whether you prefer your coffee black or over ice, or you’re a seasonal java drinker (PSL lovers, we see you), there’s nothing more euphoric than the smell of freshly ground coffee beans. And while a daily cup of Joe can benefit your health, researchers now warn that consuming too much caffeine while sleep-deprived could actually have a negative impact on your brain. Even if you’ve https://sober-home.org/how-long-does-weed-stay-in-your-system-urine-blood/ had bad sleep habits for your whole life, it’s never too late to improve sleep habits, which, in turn, can enhance wellness and increase longevity. This may include genetics, lifestyle factors such as exercise and nutrition, and any underlying medical conditions. We spend about a third of our life snoozing, yet we don’t always consider how this affects things like lifespan.

“Our ultimate goal is to eventually help clinicians develop specific drugs to target either these neurochemicals or the proteins they bind to in a way that reduces high blood pressure,” Kline said. “This discovery opens the door for future research to block the pathways these neurochemicals use, ultimately helping to bring blood pressure back to normal levels.” High blood pressure is often linked with sleep apnea because the brain works harder to regulate blood flow and breathing during sleep.

1. The results indicate that the neurochemical, behavioral, and cardiovascular effects of racemic α-PVP most likely reflect the effects of the S isomer.
2. Since then, there are no concrete numbers about casualties, but there are probably a lot more.
3. “Even a mild overdose can cause heart-related problems, or agitation, or severe aggression and psychosis.”
4. Nevertheless, there is still a lot unknown about flakka, being a relatively new drug.

People high on the synthetic cathinone began acting erratically — exhibiting bizarre behaviors and becoming uncontrollably volatile. This led to a number of emergencydepartment visits, overdoses and deaths. Since the patient has never experienced any symptoms of this nature in the past, she was admitted on day one for observation and symptomatic treatment without any routine psychotropic medications being started. On the following day, the patient needed full assistance from the staff with her activities of daily living and continued to act bizarre and illogical.

To avoid these unpleasant feelings, users often return to this drug just to ease their discomfort, which results in Flakka addiction. In 2012, the Drug Enforcement Administration banned two chemicals used to make the synthetic street drug bath salts. Bath salt is a name that has been created for a group of drugs that possesses one or more synthetic chemicals related to cathinone, a stimulant similar to amphetamines that is found in the plant khat (Catha edulis).

The reuptake of these neurotransmitters is absolutely crucial in sustaining a person’s mood and other motor functions. Moreover, the damage done to the synapses can lead to other problems down the line. In both cases mentioned above, the people who witnessed the incidents said that the apprehended individuals had a lot of energy, enough to overcome the 50,000-volt charge emitted by a standard police Taser. While in a confrontation with the police, Kenneth Crowder was Tasered, but he still had the strength to go and charge one police officer, and then body slammed another.

They last between two and five hours, which is similar to the duration of the effects of effects of bath salts. It can be smoked in a joint or e-cigarette, injected or compressed into capsules and swallowed. In Australia, α-PVP is a banned substance according to Schedule 9 of the Poison Standard (July 2016) [81]. Unless required for medical or scientific research or analysis, or for teaching or training purposes, the law should prohibit their manufacture, possession, sale, or use. When your needs as a caretaker are taken care of, your loved one will benefit too.

The results showed that α-PVP was in the same class and that α-PVP had the strongest selectivity for DAT and the lowest selectivity for SERT among the above-mentioned similar drugs. Collins and coworkers [49] used four adult male rhesus monkeys to study the self-administration of MDPV and α-PVP and directly compared the results with the effects of cocaine and methamphetamine. The results verified that synthetic cathinone MDPV and α-PVP could maintain a high level of response for an extended time and that they were more effective than cocaine or methamphetamine. Synthetic cathinones (e.g., mephedrone) were first synthesized in the 1920s and have chemical properties analogous to cathinones [11]. However, the term cathinone only appeared 40 years ago, and the term synthetic cathinone is even more recent [12].

The purpose of this study is to review expert information about these dangerous synthetic drugs with respect to their chemistry, synthesis, metabolism, pharmacology, and toxicology. It is a newer generation of the illegal group of drugs called “bath salts”. In turn, bath salts belong to a group of chemical compounds called cathinones.

In addition, such agitation may trigger Taser use or other methods that have the potential to harm the individual when law enforcement personnel have to intervene. Currently, drug abuse is a significant issue in the area of public health and, more importantly, among recreational users of the so-called “designer drugs”, “legal proceeds”, or “research chemicals”. There have been about 540 various drugs categorized as novel psychoactive substances since 2014 [1]. Bath salts are usually white or brown crystal-like powder, available for sale in small plastic bags marked “Not for Human Consumption”. They are also known as “plant food”, “phone screen cleaner”, or “jewelry cleaner” [3]. These names do not reflect the product properties; they are just a cover for the drug council or the local police.

There are two major reasons why flakka has become increasingly popular in a short amount of time. The first reason is the fact that the drug is extremely versatile and the effects of flakka on the brain are the same no matter the route of administration. The drug can be snorted, injected, swallowed and can be discreetly hidden in an e-cigarette or vape. The country has become a significant producer of synthetic drugs and bath salts in recent years. The other reason Flakka appeals to young adults is that it produces a strong sense of euphoria. However, as a Flakka user consumes more of the drug, their body builds up a tolerance and a higher dose is needed each time to feel the same high.

Human psychopharmacological effects of α-PVP occur 10 min after a single dose (typically between 15 and 300 mg), peaking within 10–40 min and lasting for 2–3 h. At the end of the experiment, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and positron emission tomography (PET) scans showed that the CAFF group experienced a significant decrease in gray matter volume. In contrast, the DECAF group had an increase in gray matter volume despite sleep deprivation. For many of us, the morning hasn’t officially begun until we’ve had that first sip of coffee.

Dried leaves can also be chewed, but is less potent, as well as smoked. Despite its being a herbal stimulant, there is also evidence that long-term use or abuse can lead to addiction, and even insomnia, depression, gastric disorder, anorexia, liver damage, and heart attack. https://sober-home.org/ Flakka is also dangerous due to effects such as hyperthermia (high body temperature), rapid heart rate, bizarre behavior, renal failure, and psychosis that can result from high doses. Bath salts are another category of artificial stimulants for the central nervous system.

However, putting a federal ban on the drug will take at least several years. Gathering sufficient data to prove its dangers will definitely take time. Flakka addiction can be most effectively treated within an inpatient or residential treatment program that can offer medical and behavioral health treatment. Medical detox programs are short-term treatment programs that offer 24-hour supervision, treatment for withdrawal, and referrals for intensive addiction treatment programs. Flakka is highly addictive, and even after detox, individuals may struggle to resist the urge of returning to the drug. Drug detoxification programs, often offered by inpatient treatment centers, can offer treatment for drug withdrawal.