Author: Gary Jackson

Flakka-Induced Prolonged Psychosis PMC

When tested at the same dose, S-α-PVP produced a greater effect than racemic α-PVP. Racemic and S-α-PVP were self-administered by rats at a 0.03 mg/kg injection, whereas R-α-PVP was self-administered at a 10-fold higher dose. Dose–effect responses suggested that R-α-PVP was at least 30 times less potent than S-α-PVP.

  • The 2’’-OH-α-PVP levels in urine were higher than the 2’’-oxo-α-PVP levels.
  • In the course of the last four years, Flakka (α-PVP) has penetrated markets all over the world, especially the US, European states, Australia, and Japan.
  • It can be smoked in a joint or e-cigarette, injected or compressed into capsules and swallowed.
  • Flakka affects your brain by overstimulating different areas tied to your mood, alertness, and behaviors.
  • In fact, it is more effective than common psychostimulants such as cocaine and amphetamine [48,49].
  • In March 2014 [77], the DEA temporarily included 10 types of synthetic cathinones, such as α-PVP, in the Schedules of Controlled Substances, and they extended this control period in March 2016 [78].

Scientists have shown that Flakka is as addictive as bath salts in rodent studies, however. Even after the scientists made the drug difficult for the rats to obtain, they persisted in pushing a lever several times that administered the drug if they failed to get it from the scientists first. The immediate and long-term effects of Flakka can rival those of some of the strongest crystal meth and cocaine. Many people view smoking marijuana as one of the lesser drugs you can become addicted to. The purported beneficial side effects outweigh any potential negative… In Australia, α-PVP is a banned substance according to Schedule 9 of the Poison Standard (July 2016) [81].

Does Smoking Marijuana Kill Brain Cells?

This led to a number of emergency
department visits, overdoses and deaths. Flakka affects your brain by overstimulating different areas tied to your mood, alertness, and behaviors. However, if the users fall into patterns of drug abuse, the long-term effects on your brain chemistry and your body can prove catastrophic. 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). Chemically, bath salts are derivatives of β-phenyl-ethylamine (PEA), including methamphetamine (N-methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-amine) and MDMA (3,4-methylendioxy-N-methylamfetamin, Ecstasy, or Molly).

  • As the high begins to wear off, the steep drop in these “feel-good” chemicals can cause extreme agitation, anxiety, and depression as well as intense cravings for more of the drug.
  • Silver Pines and Steps to Recovery have provided addiction recovery programs in Pennsylvania for over a decade with detox, residential, outpatient, and sober living services.
  • The designer drug flakka comes in crystal form, and it is typically pink or white.
  • Flakka use can lead to an increase in the production of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, leading to physical and mental health problems like anxiety, paranoia, and aggression.
  • This information revealed a interindividual dissimilarity in the main human metabolism of α-PVP, via a decrease of the ketone set or oxidation on position 2’’ of the pyrrolidine ring.
  • Their use sometimes causes severe poisoning and considerably affects human health.

In the course of the last four years, Flakka (α-PVP) has penetrated markets all over the world, especially the US, European states, Australia, and Japan. This increase is mainly due to its simple preparation and low price. The growing number of seizures, intoxications, and deaths connected with α-PVP exploitation, and the lack of a relevant antidote for cathinone exposure, requires further investigation among toxicologists.

Effects of Flakka Use: Short-Term, Long-Term, Side Effects, and Treatment

Eleven metabolites of α-PVP were detected in rats, as well as in drug abusers’ urine samples. The use of khat and synthetic cathinones has increased worldwide during the past several decades. Apart from resulting in CNS stimulation and euphoria, these compounds exhibit other negative impacts, mostly resembling those of amphetamine.

  • Flakka can overstimulate the reward system by flooding the brain with dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure and motivation.
  • Furthermore, there has been an alarming increase in the accessibility to these drugs, as well as increased exploitation and hospitalization in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe [19].
  • Flakka is chemically similar to the street drug known as bath salts or MDPV.
  • Flakka users may experience issues with memory, learning, and decision-making abilities despite discontinuing use of the drug.
  • Cathinones are man-made, or synthetic drugs containing cathinone, a naturally occurring stimulant found in the khat plant.
  • They are also known as “plant food”, “phone screen cleaner”, or “jewelry cleaner” [3].

Abuse of synthetic cathinones still represents a serious public health issue. Synthetic cathinone abuse mainly leads to sympathomimetic toxicity, which is mostly manifested as mania, tachycardia, high blood pressure, and occasionally hallucinations, hyponatremia, chest pain, and nausea. In severe cases it may cause epilepsy, severe peripheral organ damage, and rhabdomyolysis [9]. Data are only available from users who experience these possible hazardous consequences [10]. 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. In South Florida, there has been a highly addictive new synthetic drug flooding the streets for people looking for a cheap high.

Physiological Effects

Though Flakka is a relatively new synthetic drug, data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has shown it to be as potent as methamphetamine, and it has an even higher propensity for addiction development in those who abuse it. Silver Pines and Steps to Recovery have provided addiction recovery programs in Pennsylvania for over a decade with detox, residential, outpatient, and sober living services. Last year, we expanded our services to include robust mental health services, new locations, and specialized services for our nation’s veterans with more to come this year! We are visually recognizing our growth with a unified look that better reflects who we are today and the passion we have for helping everyone with their addiction and mental health recovery journeys. Similarly, Schindler et al. [54] investigated the neurochemical, behavioral, and cardiovascular effects of racemic α-PVP and its enantiomers in male rats. The results showed that S-α-PVP is slightly more potent than racemic α-PVP, while R-α PVP is 10 to 20 times less effective in blocking dopamine and norepinephrine uptake.