Designer drugs are substances created to recreate the effects of existing drugs. Their chemical structures are altered to produce similar effects but prevent them from showing up in conventional doping tests. The idea behind these drugs is to create a new substance that is not classified as illegal, thus allowing it to be sold. As these new substances become known, they are declared illegal by law. Sellers alter the structure again, and the cycle repeats. During 2009-2014, about 200-300 new designer drugs were identified in the United States. These drugs are frequently consumed at nightclubs and parties. In addition to their harmful effects on health, these drugs have another factor of danger and lethality. They are usually produced in home laboratories, using dangerous chemicals such as detergents or poisons. With these drugs, people get the effect of illegal drugs by combining different legal substances. These drugs can be divided into two large groups: central nervous system depressants and central nervous system stimulants.
Central nervous system depressants can cause drowsiness, decreased respiratory rate, heart rate, consciousness loss, coma, and even death. Some examples include:
Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) - Also known as "G" or "liquid ecstasy." It is commonly used as a "date rape drug" as it is odorless and dissolves easily in beverages. Its initial effects include euphoria, disinhibition, feelings of social closeness, and increased sexual desire. It can subsequently cause hallucinations, sedation, loss of consciousness, amnesia, and coma. If combined with alcohol, it can cause severe breathing problems that can lead to death.
Ketamine: Also known as "special K", Ketamine was originally used as an anesthetic. Although not as commonly used anymore, it still has accepted medical applications. However, it is commonly used as a recreational drug because it is a powerful hallucinogen. Other effects include high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, depression, amnesia, and respiratory depression, which can cause death.
Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) - This drug is also known as "roofies". Although it is illegal in Puerto Rico and the United States, it is legal in some countries (used to treat severe insomnia). It is often used as a "date drug" due to its sedative effects. In addition, it can cause anterograde amnesia, meaning people do not remember events that occurred while under the influence of the drug.
Central nervous system stimulants cause alertness, increased energy, feelings of well-being, loss of sleep, appetite, and hallucinations. Examples include:
Methamphetamines - Also known as "meth", "meth", and "chalk". This drug combines over-the-counter cold medicine and battery acid or pipe cleaner. It is commonly prepared in home labs, and explosions in these labs often make the news. Methamphetamines are highly addictive, and there have been reports of addiction occurring after just one use. Its effects include tooth damage, hyperactivity, euphoria, anxiety, tachycardia, depression, psychosis, and suicidal impulses. An overdose can cause a dangerous rise in body temperature, psychosis, kidney failure, convulsions and coma. ecstasy
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) - It is also known as "ecstasy", "E", "Molly" and "rola" (in PR). MDMA is the classic example of a designer drug and is often used at parties. It is a powerful hallucinogen and can cause severe dehydration and hyperthermia (elevated body temperature). Cases of low blood sodium have also been reported due to consuming too much water to prevent dehydration. Other effects include euphoria, irritability, impulsiveness, anxiety, and depression. It can also increase heart rate and blood pressure, which is dangerous for people with heart conditions.
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) -Also known as "acid", "battery acid", "purple heart", and "gota" (in PR). It is a potent hallucinogen. LSD users see, feel and hear things that are not real but feel real. They often see intense colours and experience an altered sense of time. The sensations "cross over" and seem to hear colours and see sounds. This set of experiences is known as a "trip", which can last up to 12 hours. It can cause strong psychiatric reactions such as extreme paranoia, anxiety, and delusions. It is known as a "bad trip." They can be so severe that they lead to suicidal or homicidal impulses. Long-term effects include "flashbacks", experiencing a "trip" again, even when the drug is not being used.
Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) - Also known as "bath salts." Its effects include intense cravings for the drug, psychotic reactions, violent behaviour, euphoria, paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions. It can also cause heart attacks, kidney damage, liver damage, brain death, seizures, etc. In addition, a study published in 2013 reported that this drug might be more addictive than methamphetamine, one of the most addictive substances in existence.
synthetic marijuana- Also known as "spice", "K2", "potpourri", "chillax" and "synthetic" (in PR). This highly dangerous drug is commonly sold at gas stations and other stores as "incense." It is designed to reproduce the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana. Its effects include aggression, loss of consciousness, seizures, panic attacks, psychosis, suicidal impulses, heart attacks and strokes. Synthetic marijuana can cause severe muscle breakdown, known as rhabdomyolysis. This severe muscle breakdown can overwhelm the kidneys' ability to cleanse the blood, causing fulminant kidney failure. A US government study reported that emergency room visits due to synthetic marijuana use had increased 2.5-fold in 2011. The number rose to 25,381. Puerto Rico has also seen an increase in the number of people visiting emergency rooms due to toxic reactions from synthetic marijuana.
These drugs represent a serious public health problem. Those who use these substances the most are often young people, so parents and them need to know about these drugs. It is equally important that health professionals recognize the signs of substance abuse so that help can be offered before it is too late. If you know someone who may be using these substances, get help. The earlier this person can be evaluated by a psychiatrist or addiction specialist, the more chances to get out of the habit and recover her life.
If you want to learn more about this topic, you can use the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) link.
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