Synthetic Drugs - Flakka

The substance known as the flakka like white crystal gravel is one of the newest synthetic drugs/stimulants. Recently known as "the drug that turns you into a zombie." It has a stimulating effect similar to cocaine, but like a bunch of synthetic drugs banned in 2012, It also has potential feature more dangerous than cocaine. Flakka is as strong as methamphetamine at the same time but has a higher tendency to addiction.

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Flakka is typically made from a synthetic version of an amphetamine-like excitatory agent in the cation-class of alpha-PVP. These cations are chemicals derived from the "khat" plant from the Middle East and Somalia. The leaves of this plant are often chewed for euphoria. People who use flakka may exhibit bizarre and uncontrollable behavior.

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Short-Term Effects of Flakka

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Similar to other stimulants, the use of Flakka results in the secretion of excessive dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate the brain's awards and pleasure centers. Besides, Flakka inhibits the uptake of these neurotransmitters by the brain cells and provides a feeling of intense euphoria, that is, enthusiasm. Similar to cocaine and amphetamines, the short-term effects of the flakka are:

• Euphoria
• Acceleration and palpitations in heart rhythm
• Blood pressure increase
• Hypervigilance
• Aggressive behavior
• Paranoia
• Supernatural power delusions

The effects of Flakka's decline (the process of leaving the body) include fatigue and depression. This feeling usually causes the users to turn to the use of flakka again to get rid of the negative situations they are in, such as depression and fatigue, and thus cause a cycle of addiction. As tolerance against this stimulant develops, those who use it need more and ignore dangerous effects and even death.

Flakka affects body temperature, in high doses. It increases the body temperature considerably, and sometimes this excessive change causes muscle problems and later vessel damage. Flakka's long-term effects can also compete with crystal meth and cocaine.

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Long-Term Effects of Flakka

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There is not much scientific data yet on long-term efficacy as Flakka is one of the newest synthetic drugs and the investigations on its effects are not comprehensive enough. However, current research shows that the drug is toxic to the kidneys and may cause kidney failure. These yet unknown effects of Flakka are of concern in terms of usage intensity and popularity. It is not known exactly how the use of Flakka will affect the body and brain in the long run.

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Treatment of Flakka Addiction

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Treatment of addiction to flakka involves some steps that are useful in accelerating the healing process.

Taking Procedures
A comprehensive physical and psychological assessment is made. Appraisal by professional addiction therapists ensures that detoxification methods and effective treatment designs are applied at appropriate levels.

Detoxification
In general, the first phase of treatment is detoxification. The quitting phase can be quite painful and disturbing. It is important that they are under medical supervision in terms of pursuing and managing the symptoms.

Additional Therapy
The following various behavioral treatments are recommended:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Motivational talks
• Dual diagnosis counseling (if appropriate)
• Psychotherapy
• Support groups

Family Participation
Separating from loved ones can be a source of concern for an individual. Therefore, the participation of family members in treatment is an applied condition.

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Alpha PVP

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1-Phenyl-2- (pyrrolidine-1-yr) pentane-1-one, alpha-PVP is a psychomotor stimulant originally discovered in the 1960s. The official notification of the detection of alpha-PVP in the European Union was presented in February 2011. The molecular formula is C₁₅H₂₁NO, and the molecular weight is 231.34 g / mol.

Stereoisomers

The presence of the chiral center in the α-carbon of the side chain increases the rate of formation of the (S) -alpha-PVP and (R) -alpha-PVP enantiomers in a certain order. No data on potentially distinguishable pharmacological properties have yet been published. Alpha-PVP is usually present as a racemic mixture.

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Chemical Identification

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Initial thermal properties gained clarity in the early 1960s. The first NMR data following a systematic investigation of the pyrovalerone analogs, including the evaluation of monoamine transporter activities, was published in 2005 and 2006. Although alpha-PVP was reported in Germany in 2005, mass spectrometry data from metabolism studies have only been published in 2009. Although the Marquis test gave a "clean" reaction as a result, the Mecke test yielded a gray/black result. Alpha-PVP was then used thoroughly for analytical purposes and was included in the series of routine analysis methods linked to forensic and clinical investigations.

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H and 13 C NMR data for α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone HCl

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According to an NBC news report, a 37-year-old woman living in Florida has used a flakka and then rubbed off some of her clothes with a rise in body temperature, and later she said: "I remember just being in the water and feeling like I could breathe under the water."

Another news is Nico Gallo, a 19-year-old living in Florida, threatened him by entering the house of an unknown stranger by the influence of Flakka, hurting him, jumping from the window with the courage of the stimulus when he could not escape from the door.

Apart from such reports, there are a lot of news about the effects of Flakka, such as "eating human flesh" or "eating the victim's face." If we clarify this issue, drug-related crimes are taking place in the long-running media. These stories began with cocaine in 1914 and then continued. The drug that has been on the order of the day recently is the Flakka.

In August 2016, 19-year-old Austin Harrouff entered a couple's home in Florida and killed them and was found biting one of the victims' faces and abdomen. The parents of the assailant stated that they had behaved strangely for months before they were diagnosed, but they suspected schizophrenia.

However, the authorities believed that Harrouff might be under the influence of the Flakka. However, as a result of the toxicology tests conducted on November 23, 2016, Flakka did not found in his system. Therefore, as a result of this incident, a belief that Flakka turned people into "cannibalism" has spread. These unrealistic beliefs are driving people away from using very harmful stimuli like flakka. But some information should be based on a basis.

Since the flakka is a stimulant that has been on the agenda lately, it is normal that the effects of the long or short vault are not fully known. However, as far as we know, the information that people turn into "cannibalism" or "zombie" is not based on any scientific evidence.

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Image Sources

• Flakka spills out of a bottle. Drug Enforcement Administration
• Alpha pvp molecule
• 1 H and 13 C NMR data for α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone HCl

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Sources

• https://theconversation.com/flakka-is-a-dangerous-drug-but-it-doesnt-turn-you-into-a-zombie-69533
• http://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/5.3_Alpha-PVP_CRev.pdf
• http://cordantsolutions.com/what-is-flakka/
• https://www.medicinenet.com/flakka/article.htm
• https://drugabuse.com/library/the-effects-of-flakka-use/
• http://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/26/health/flakka-gravel-illegal-drugs/index.html
• https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/devils-drug-flakka-driving-florida-insane-n471531
• https://www.dea.gov/pr/microgram-journals/2012/mj9-1_33-38.pdf