Flakka: New Dangerous Synthetic Cathinone on the Drug Scene

how does flakka affect your brain

This method of ingestion can make it particularly easy to overdose on flakka. Another danger of Flakka abuse is the long-term nature of the high from it. A hit of cocaine, when snorted, usually lasts around 30 minutes; a hit of Flakka can last for up to five hours. The high from Flakka can also vary depending on the chemical composition. Some Flakka abusers have reported dissociative feelings similar to those felt when abusing benzodiazepines how does flakka affect your brain or hallucinogens such as ketamine.

Unfortunately, experts have not discovered any medications that may particularly help ease the flakka withdrawal symptoms directly. However, some people have reported benefitting from benzodiazepines to keep themselves stable. It is imperative to remember that the best way to manage flakka withdrawal and addiction is under the guidance of professionals in a rehabilitation center. There is not enough data to understand how long a flakka withdrawal episode may last and how intense it may get, so it is always safe to have professional help in hand as needed. People who are familiar with the drug market have been hearing the word flakka for some time now. As a synthetic drug, it has been designed to skirt the law while getting people high more easily.

It is an ongoing challenge, as each time one type of bath salt is made illegal, the drug labs change the chemical structure slightly and a new drug that is technically not illegal is created. In the case of flakka, the new chemical is called alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone or alpha-PVP. Drug users take flakka to get a feeling of euphoria, a heightened sense of awareness, stimulation, and energy. In the United States, flakka is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule I drugs are defined as substances with a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.

how does flakka affect your brain

Addiction, Withdrawal Symptoms, and Treatment Options for Flakka

Although the exact mechanism of action is unclear, why it has been causing this alteration in a person’s functions, it is known that Flakka is designed to cause the brain to become flooded with dopamine. This influx in dopamine causes an intense feeling of euphoria but also leads a person to the possibility of agitated delirium and thus psychiatric hospitalizations 4. It is also known as “gravel” due to its white, crystal-like appearance.

  1. Specifically, the excited delirium inspired by the drug not only involves hyperstimulation and hallucinations but also a paranoia that often leads to aggressive violence or self-injury.
  2. The drug alters brain chemistry, leading to hallucinations, delusions, and a break from reality, all of which become more pronounced with long-term use.
  3. Although she refused, she believes that they put some on the food she was eating because she claimed it tasted funny and felt weird ever since.
  4. Long-term use results in kidney failure and muscle damage, leading to lasting physical harm.
  5. Flakka was added to the Schedule I list in 2014 by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

How do people use bath salts?

This association hints at a complex relationship between lectins, immune function, and cognitive clarity. While more research is needed, these findings offer intriguing insights into potential mechanisms behind brain fog. A visually appealing booklet for students that explains how synthetic drugs, such as K2/spice and bath salts, change the way the communication centers in the brain work and ultimately cause their effects. This booklet is part of the Mind Matters series focused on easy-to-understand scientific facts.

Treatment for Flakka abuse

The neurological effects of Flakka addiction are some of the most severe, leading to significant damage to the brain and nervous system. These effects result in both short-term crises and long-term neurological impairment. The risk factors for Flakka (Alpha-PVP) addiction include a combination of environmental, psychological, and biological influences that increase the likelihood of developing an addiction to this potent drug. Obesity and diabetes, both inflammatory conditions, have been tentatively linked to lectin intake in some studies.

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. Since the patient received intramuscular Olanzapine and Lorazepam multiple times since being admitted, it was deemed appropriate to start the patient on scheduled Olanzapine to target her symptoms. By the fifth hospital day, the patient was taking Olanzapine 10 mg twice a day routinely with Lorazepam every four hours as needed for agitation.

Focusing on low-lectin foods like leafy greens, most fruits, and pasture-raised meats can form the foundation of a lectin-reduced diet. Incorporating healthy fats from sources like avocados and olive oil may help counteract lectin effects. Using a food diary to track symptoms after eating high-lectin foods can help identify specific triggers.

This sensation often results in users returning to the drug to get rid of the negative comedown feeling, jump-starting a cycle of use that can lead to abuse. Also like cocaine and meth, the drug may alter brain chemistry in a way that makes users require a larger and larger dose to get the same high. The designer drug flakka comes in crystal form, and it is typically pink or white. The synthetic drug may be eaten, injected, snorted, or vaporized in e-cigarettes.

No, treating Flakka addiction on your own is not recommended due to the drug’s severe physical and psychological effects. Attempting to quit without medical supervision increases the risk of relapse and severe health complications, such as cardiac arrest or psychosis. Professional treatment, including medical detox, behavioral therapy, and ongoing support, is important for a safer and more successful recovery. Treatment options for Flakka addiction begin with a detox process to manage the drug’s intense withdrawal symptoms. These include severe agitation, hallucinations, and paranoia, which complicate the recovery process.

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