In recent years, the number of synthetic drugs on the market continues to increase. Some of these drugs are created to be a substitute for prescription medications. In addition, other synthetic drugs are produced and sold legally in place of illicit substances. As a result, there are real dangers of synthetic drugs you need to be aware of and know.
What Are Synthetic Drugs?
Synthetic drugs are man-made drugs made to imitate the effects of other drugs. Therefore, these drugs use synthetic compounds and chemicals that mimic the effects of naturally occurring medications. These drugs have the pharmacological effects of the natural drug but are often much more potent. As a result, to achieve the same effects, a person only needs to take a small amount.
Types of Synthetic Drugs
Several different types of legal and illegal synthetic drugs, also called designer drugs, exist. They are categorized as either synthetic cannabinoids or synthetic stimulants.
Synthetic Cannabinoids
Synthetic cannabinoids are made by spraying the chemical substance directly onto legal herbs, which are then dried and smoked. They are also sold as a liquid that can be digested in beverages or added to e-juice and vaped. Some of the more common names used for synthetic cannabinoids include:
- • Blaze
- • Kronic
- • Spice
- • Genie
- • K2
- • Dawn
- • Skunk
Like most synthetic drugs, these drugs are dangerous and highly addictive.
Synthetic Stimulants
Synthetic stimulants are psychoactive substances that mimic the effects of cocaine and other stimulants. Users inject, smoke, ingest, or snort these drugs. However, since they are much cheaper, sold legally, and easy to access, they can be very enticing when someone is looking to get high. Some of the more common names associated with synthetic stimulants include the following:
- • Bath Salts
- • Ecstasy
- • Molly
- • MDMA
- • Flakka
- • Gravel
- • Smiles
- • Foxy
- • Blue Mystic
- • Nexus
- • DMT
Many people use these drugs during parties or “raves.” Often, users combine other substances, like alcohol, with synthetic drug use.
What Are the Effects of Synthetic Drugs?
Since these drugs are highly unpredictable, the effects one person has can be completely different from another. However, the most noticeable effect of synthetic drugs is a quicker, more intense high and feelings of euphoria. Some of the more common effects of synthetic drugs include:
- • Euphoria
- • Visual Hallucinations
- • Sound Hallucinations
- • Excitability
- • Sweating
- • Hyperactivity
- • Engaging in Risky Behaviors
- • Impulsive Decision-Making
However, a high can go completely wrong and result in several adverse side effects such as:
- • Extreme Paranoia
- • Seizures
- • Convulsions
- • Excessive Vomiting
- • Becoming Suicidal
- • Extreme Anxiety
- • Becoming Homicidal
- • Violent and Aggressive Behaviors
- • Heart Attack
- • Coma
- • Death
These effects can be dangerous and even deadly to some users. Therefore, it is vital to get treatment for addiction to any synthetic drugs.
What Are the Dangers of Synthetic Drugs?
Synthetic drugs may be confusing for some users, as they often have packaging indicating that they are safe. In other cases, manufacturers disguise them as other products, which can make tracking them down difficult. Nevertheless, knowing the dangers of synthetic drugs can help deter people from their use.
#1. Not Meant for Human Consumption
Many of the synthetic drugs sold legally are manufactured in countries outside the United States. So, the substances used are not subject to the same regulations as they would be here. So, as a result, you could take something that was never tested on or meant for humans to consume.
#2. No Idea What You Are Taking
There are many substances in synthetic drugs that can be very dangerous, such as rat poisoning, drain cleaners, and pesticides. Those that manufacture synthetic drugs only want to mimic the effects of the natural drug.
#3. Chemical Compounds Keep Changing
As soon as the DEA identifies specific chemical compounds and make them illegal, manufacturers are already two steps ahead and keep changing and altering the chemical compounds they use to maintain the legality of selling synthetic drugs.
#4. Unpredictable Effects
The effects of taking synthetic drugs are highly unpredictable. Furthermore, other illicit substances can be mixed in, such as fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, etc. When combined with manufactured chemicals, the effects are unexpected and completely different from the effects one was expecting to mimic the natural substance.
#5. You Can Die After Using Them Once
Unfortunately, one of the disturbing adverse side-effects of synthetic drugs is someone can die after using them just once. The combination of chemicals and substances could create a highly toxic and deadly cocktail that, once it is in the body, causes an accidental overdose and death.
#6. Long-Term Damage to the Brain and Body
Some of the chemical substances used in synthetic drugs can cause brain and organ damage as well as other long-term health problems. Sadly, it is essentially impossible to predict what impacts abusing synthetic drugs will have on a person until it is simply too late.
Are Synthetic Drugs Addictive?
Another danger of synthetic drug misuse is its highly addictive nature. Since the substances used to create the drugs are highly potent, it increases the potency of addiction. For example, when one experiences an intense, pleasurable high, the mind-altering chemical effects of the drug reinforce its use as a highly desirable behavior. Therefore, the drug cravings are equally intense, further elevating the addictiveness of the substances.
Finding Synthetic Drug Detox and Addiction Treatment
Now that you know more about the dangers of synthetic drugs, you can get help overcoming your addiction to them. The first step to recovery is to get at-home synthetic drug detox from MD Home Detox of Beverly Hills, California.
We offer concierge-level medically supervised detox you can undergo from the comfort and privacy of your home in several areas across the United States. During your detox treatment, our medical professionals provide the support you need. After detox, you can continue your addiction treatment through our extensive network of referred professionals. To start your at-home synthetic detox treatment or to learn more about detoxing at home, please feel free to contact us today.