SYNTHETIC DRUGS: CHARACTERISTICS, TYPES AND EFFECTS - ARTE - 2025

The synthetic drugs refer to a very broad set of psychostimulants which are manufactured by chemical processes. Unlike the other types of psychoactive substances, these drugs are not obtained from a natural product, but are instead synthesized from molecular changes made in laboratories.

The term synthetic drugs or synthetic drugs refers to a set of psychostimulant substances that are obtained through chemical processes. Most of them are derived from amphetamines, are usually consumed orally and are presented in tablets with striking colors, shapes and drawings.

Synthetic drugs are popularly considered as new and recently emerging substances, however, drug synthesis began to take place as early as the 1960s.

The production of synthetic drugs began with the synthesis of MDMA (3,4, -methylenedioxymethamphetamine). This substance was discovered in 1912 and patented in 1914, and in the 1960s it began to be used as a substance of abuse in the United States.

Main characteristics of synthetic drugs

Possibility of multiple designs and effects

The appearance of synthetic drugs opens up a world in which substances of abuse can acquire endless characteristics and cause multiple psychoactive effects, since in the laboratory any detail of the drug that is synthesized can be modulated.

However, the general aspects of all synthetic drugs are quite similar to each other, and the different substances that are acquired in laboratories share many characteristics.

Amphetamine derivatives

In general, synthetic drugs are substances derived from amphetamines, which are manufactured by chemical methods and obtained through drug precursors.

Thus, synthetic drugs are not usually characterized by being totally novel substances with characteristics very different from those of other psychoactive substances or with "on-demand compositions."

However, it should be noted that they could be, that is, a synthetic drug could acquire any design that one wanted to contribute to the psychotropic drug.

The fact that this does not happen is that synthetic drugs arose with the aim of satisfying new demands and replacing controlled psychotropic drugs, which is why the demands of consumers motivate that the characteristics of these drugs do not differ much from the traditional ones.

Mixed action

All synthetic drugs have a mixed pharmacological action, thus combining stimulating effects with sensory disturbances.

As with hallucinogenic drugs, these substances can produce a great variability of effects, and they tend to act in the brain in a quite unpredictable way.

Normally, as with most psychoactive substances, the effects of the drug appear within 30 minutes of being ingested and can last for about 3 or 4 hours.

Behavioral and emotional changes

The most common effects of these substances are often behavioral and emotional changes, such as experiencing euphoria, elevated self-esteem, and elevated disinhibition.

However, due to the diversity of effects that they can cause, they can also have opposite consequences, with experimentation of confusion, anxiety, aggressiveness, depression or even suicidal ideations.

Hallucinogenic effects

On the other hand, some synthetic drugs tend to cause hallucinogenic effects and perceptual distortions, although with generally low intensities.

Physical alterations

Likewise, they usually cause physical changes such as increased heart rate, increased tension, feelings of vertigo, nausea, muscle stiffness, hyperhidrosis and mydriasis.

In this way, the habitual consumption of this type of substance can have devastating consequences such as tachycardias, hypertension, hyperthermia, vascular collapse, seizures, arrhythmias, cerebral hemorrhages, intravascular coagulation, renal failure, liver necrosis and coma.

Currently, knowing how many synthetic drugs exist is a practically impossible task, however, according to the Technical Department of the General Council of Official Associations of Pharmacists of Spain, it specifies 8 types of synthetic drugs that predominate both for their consumption and for their manufacture.

Types of synthetic drugs

-Ecstasy

Ecstasy is the common name for the drug MDMA. Another type of nomenclature that this psychoactive substance receives are Adam, XTC, X, E, pills or capsules.

This substance is the synthetic drug par excellence, the one that is most manufactured and the one that is most consumed. It usually comes in the form of a small tablet, although in some cases it can also be consumed in the form of a powder, which can take on different colors.

It is estimated that the prevalence of consumption of this type of substance could reach 1% in Spain, and exceed it in countries such as Ireland or the United States.

The minimum dose for it to be active is usually about 100 milligrams, and it begins to cause its effects from half an hour after consumption.

The effects that ecstasy can produce are multiple and usually unpredictable.

Regarding the physical component, they tend to increase energy, sensitivity, can cause tachycardias, arrhythmias and hypertension, can decrease appetite, cause dry mouth, increased sweating and over-stimulation.

The use of ecstasy in high doses often causes nausea, vomiting, tremors, motor hyperactivity, chills and dehydration. Likewise, it can directly cause heart problems, kidney failure or even death from poisoning.

Regarding the psychological effects, it produces feelings of euphoria, pleasure and a sensation of omnipotence due to its stimulating effect, as well as sensorial-perceptual alterations and occasional hallucinations.

However, at high doses it can induce anxiety, panic, confusion, irritability and even psychotic symptoms.

Finally, it is extremely dangerous to combine the consumption of ecstasy with alcohol, since it can trigger heat stroke, with a high risk of dehydration.

Due to its composition, ecstasy does not generate physical dependence, however it can start a high addiction and psychological dependence if it is consumed frequently.

Furthermore, this synthetic substance, through brain overstimulation, tends to cause high cognitive impairment that manifests itself through intellectual problems over the years.

-Eva or MDEA

Eva or MDEA is a drug with a chemical structure that is closely related to that of ecstasy.

In fact, there are several compositions with characteristics similar to those of MDMA, however, of all of them the most popular is this drug that usually has the word Eva engraved on the tablet.

Its characteristics are practically traced to those of ecstasy, although it is characterized by producing psychostimulant effects with a greater speed (they can appear a few minutes after consumption) and having an active life, that is, a shorter duration of the effects.

As with ecstasy, Eva produces a high neurotoxicity on the serotonin system.

Likewise, it stands out for inducing a decrease in very high body temperature, which is why it can cause hyperthymia very easily.

It is consumed through pills with striking shapes that contain between 100 and 200 milligrams of the substance, it causes a high stimulation of the central nervous system, causing feelings of euphoria and excitement, but causes fewer perceptual alterations.

The consequences of its consumption are just as devastating as those of ecstasy, it produces a clear cognitive atrophy and can cause many physical alterations and vascular diseases.

-Speed

Speed ​​is the hydrochloride of methamphetamine, that is, it is a derivative of natural amphetamine.

This drug is a white, crystalline, odorless and bitter-tasting powder that usually dissolves in aqueous substances, and that can be consumed either ingested, snorted, injected or smoked.

Speed, also known as ice, shabu, meeth or chalk, usually produces immediate effects, especially if it is consumed intravenously. The initial effect of the drug is known as a flash, which lasts a few minutes and is described as a sensation of extreme pleasure.

The mechanism of action is very similar to the other two drugs mentioned and to the action of methamphetamines, which is characterized by producing an intense stimulation of the central nervous system.

This overstimulation translates into feelings of euphoria, decreased fatigue, increased energy, greater concentration, and decreased appetite and respiratory system.

Likewise, the consumption of speed also causes very high heart damage, such as increased blood pressure and vascular disorders, and decreased cognitive performance.

Chronic abuse of this substance can induce psychotic behaviors with intense paranoia experimentation, visual and auditory hallucinations, and uncontrollable emotions of rage or anger.

-Angel dust

Angel dust is the popular name for phencyclidine, or PCP. It is a hallucinogenic drug that was initially used as an anesthetic due to its sedative effects.

However, the consumption of this substance also causes states of extreme agitation, perceptual disturbances, experiencing hallucinations and psychotic thoughts.

It is marketed in the form of tablets, capsules and colored powders, and can be consumed both inhaled, smoked or ingested. Its effects cause a total inhibition of the ability to concentrate, think logically and articulate behaviors.

Likewise, it causes feelings of euphoria and sudden mood changes, being able to experience fear, anxiety or panic on a recurring basis after the euphoric sensations.

The consequences of the consumption of this substance usually translate into a clear loss of memory and general cognitive failure, affecting both speech, thinking and reasoning.

Likewise, its habitual consumption can induce depressive states with relative ease, cause emotional disturbances and cause a noticeable loss of weight.

-Poopers

Poopers are substances that are composed of amyl nitrate or butyl or isobulite nitrites. It is a liquid, colorless and odorless drug that is consumed through inhalation and is sold through glass jars.

It should be noted that amyl nitrate is a very volatile substance, so it cannot be ingested as it can cause immediate death.

Regarding their consumption through inhalation, Poopers cause a very high stimulation and vasodilation in the brain.

This makes the effects of the drug practically immediate, and within seconds of its consumption a high sensation of euphoria, disinhibition and pleasure is experienced.

After a few minutes of consumption, the effects of the drug disappear completely, and you may experience opposite sensations such as depression, depression or exhaustion.

Likewise, this substance causes a series of important physical alterations such as elevated redness of the face, headache, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia and orthostatic hypotension.

Likewise, Poppers are considered dangerous substances due to the high addiction they can induce and the physical dependence they cause.

-Liquid ecstasy

It is known as liquid ecstasy but it has nothing to do with MDMA. This substance is a physiological metabolite derived from the neurotransmitter GABA, which is found in the brain of all people.

It is a colorless and odorless liquid with a salty taste that causes relaxation and drowsiness. In general, this drug causes a greater global inhibition of the brain, to the point of being able to trigger a hypnotic state, slowing down the heart rate and breathing.

Likewise, the consumption of high doses can induce states of coma or even death with some ease, and its habitual consumption usually causes depressive states, cardiopulmonary problems and risk of suffering myoclonus and epileptogenic activity.

-Plant ecstasy

Vegetable ecstasy are preparations of highly variable composition that are made up of a multitude of plants and chemical compounds.

This drug is characterized by stimulating the nervous cortex through caffeine components and amphetamine analogs and its consumption can cause multiple adverse reactions.

In fact, the American Food and Drug Administration demonstrated that the consumption of this drug can cause problems such as hypertension, palpitations, tachycardia, stroke, seizures and insomnia, and can be fatal in 10% of cases.

-Ketamine

Ketamine is a derivative of PCP that has high anesthetic and analgesic effects, and that can be consumed both ingested and injected or snorted.

Its effects are highly variable but it usually causes a clear difficulty in thinking and speaking, it can cause blurred vision, delusions, pseudo-hallucinations or time-space disorientation.

Likewise, it can have important health consequences such as respiratory depression, cardiac arrest, anxiety disorders and psychotic disorders.

References

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2. Koreman, SG and Barchas, JD (Eds) Biological Basis of Substance Abuse Oxford University press, 1993
3. Mckim WA. Drugs and Behavior: An Introduction to Behavioral Pharmacology. Pearson Education, 200