Synthetic drugs made to imitate the effects of other drugs are available in stores, gas stations, and streets. The dangers of synthetic drugs are cause for concern. Producers of synthetic drugs work in illicit labs with no control or regulation. The ingredients are questionable and present the most significant danger when mixed with other medications. Overdose and death from dangerous drug interactions can occur with synthetic drugs thought to be safe because of over-the-counter availability. The popularity of synthetic drugs, referred to as club drugs or designer drugs, has grown because of their availability.
What are Synthetic Drugs?
Synthetic drugs are drugs made to imitate the effects of other drugs, such as cocaine, marijuana, and LSD. The dangers of synthetic drugs remain constant, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate them. In addition, the ingredients used by the illicit labs that produce these substances often state “not fit for human consumption.” While the cost of synthetic drugs might be attractive, the hazards they present are not worth any money.
Types of Synthetic Drugs
Drugs made to imitate the effects of other drugs are attractive for psychedelic or psychoactive effects. The dangers of synthetic drugs come from untested and unpredictable side effects. Sources such as illegal labs and importation from China and other countries have attractive names. The two most common synthetic drugs have the same effects as stimulants.
The following drugs made to imitate the effects of other drugs are common synthetic drugs on the market today. Unfortunately, the consequences of taking these substances can be very unpredictable. The dangers of synthetic drugs include overdose and death. Combined with alcohol, these substances are brutal on the body.
- Spice, K2, Yucatan Fire, Blaze, Bliss, and Skunk. These compounds simulate cannabinoids or weed. They mimic plant-based marijuana but can be as much as 100 times more potent, affecting cannabinoid receptors in the brain more intensely.
- Bath salts. Synthetic cathinones or stimulants can include MDPV, methylone, or mephedrone. Snorting bath salts compared to snorting ten lines of cocaine in one dose. Bath salts affect heart rate, blood pressure, body temp, focus, and energy.
- Flakka or Gravel. This synthetic cathinone has hallucinogenic effects, with the active ingredient alpha-PVP. Even a tiny grain can severely affect the user.
- Smiles, 2C-I-MBOMe and 2C-C-NBOMe. A synthetic hallucinogenic drug similar to LSD.
- DMT, AMT, Foxy, Nexus, and Blue Mystic. Tryptamines and phenethylamines are psychoactive substances producing hallucinations similar to LSD and mescaline.
- Molly, Ecstasy, or MDMA. A mind-altering stimulant cut with unknown chemicals.
What are the Effects of Synthetic Drugs?
Drugs made to imitate the effects of other drugs or synthetic drugs, can change the brain, affecting mood, cognitive abilities, impulse control, and pleasure. Distorting the senses, causing hallucinations, and psychotic side effects, the dangers of synthetic drugs are many. In addition, effects from the neurotransmitters being misled by the synthetic drugs, can interfere with many of the body’s functions.
Increased norepinephrine levels from Flakka or bath salts can affect the central nervous system and produce the following effects:
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Raised body temperature
- Decreased need for sleep and eating
- Increased energy and excitability
Spice may have the opposite effects on the central nervous system as a depressant and produce the following effects:
- It slows down the heart rate and blood pressure
- Increases feelings of mellowness and euphoria
What are the Dangers of Synthetic Drugs?
Synthetic drugs or drugs made to imitate the effects of other drugs contain many unknown chemicals or compounds. The dangers of synthetic drugs include the unpredictable nature of their side effects. With unknown ingredients, the possibility of lethal combinations is always a risk. An increased chance of overdose and death from unknown drug ingredients and interactions.
Dangerous effects of synthetic drugs include:
- Increased erratic behaviors
- Suicide and self-harming behaviors
- Violent behavior
- Aggressive behavior
- Psychotic episodes
- Heart attack
- Seizures
- Damage to internal organs
- Physical and chemical changes to the brain and body
Are Synthetic Drugs Addictive?
Synthetic drugs hold the misconception that they are safe and not addictive because you can purchase them legally. On the contrary, drugs made to imitate the effects of other drugs are highly addictive and are not safe. This belief can add to the dangers of synthetic drugs because of that false sense of security. The truth about the addictive nature of synthetic drugs is they are possibly more addictive and dangerous than their natural counterparts.
Finding Treatment for Addiction to Synthetic Drugs
Finding treatment for addiction to synthetic drugs will undoubtedly begin with a professional detox program. Being addicted to drugs made to imitate the effects of other drugs can complicate the detoxification process. The unknown can be a dangerous detox component without knowing what chemical compounds are involved with the synthetic drugs. Withdrawal effects and time frames tend to vary with synthetic drug detox.
Around-the-clock monitoring with medical personnel on site is vital. Detox can be challenging, and keeping the patient from harming themselves may be required. The medically monitored detox from synthetic drugs is a puzzle of unknowns. For this reason, experienced professionals need to be present at all times. Typical therapy, including individual, group, and family counseling, must follow detox.
Find Treatment for Synthetic Drug Addiction in Atlanta, GA
The dangers of synthetic drugs are extreme. Understanding synthetic drug addiction is essential in making the prompt decision to get help and detox. Overdose and death are the powerful possibilities of an addiction to these drugs. Contact us to enroll in our professional detox program before starting a recovery treatment program.
