FLAKKA, THE ZOMBIE DRUG: COMPONENTS AND EFFECTS - ARTE - 2024

The flakka drug is a highly stimulating substance of the central nervous system that causes multiple physical and psychological alterations. It can be consumed both orally and snorted, smoked or injected

It is a recent designer drug that has begun to be used for recreational purposes. Its consumption has already been detected in multiple countries in Europe, America and Asia.

At present, due to its recent appearance, the literature on the characteristics of this new substance is scarce. However, there is already some research that has focused on describing the main effects caused by its consumption.

Appearance of the drug flakka

The fact of cataloging the flakka drug as a new psychoactive substance falls back on the recent appearance of this psychoactive drug. A little over a year ago, the first presence of this substance was detected worldwide.

The appearance of the drug flakka dates back to April 2015 when the fort lauderdale police department in the State of Florida (United States) issued an alert about the appearance and seizure of this substance.

It was determined that it was a synthetic drug that had not been previously marketed or consumed. Likewise, the recreational use of this substance in the state of Florida was associated with a notable increase in the number of violent incidents in that region.

Simultaneously, this drug has been detected in other countries in Europe and Asia, as well as in most regions of the United States.

Physical and psychological effects

The effects of this synthetic drug are devastating and the massive increase in its use has led to investigations of its characteristics not long in coming.

The consumption of this substance causes important alterations in the physical and mental functioning of the person. These alterations seem to be closely related to a very high increase in brain stimulation.

-Physical effects

The physical effects of the flakka drug are not what motivate its use. In other words, the rewarding effects caused by the use of the substance are not produced.

However, early research on the drug flakka reports that these effects could be the most damaging and dangerous. They are considered as secondary effects, which are seen in a large number of cases.

Most of the physical symptoms caused by the use of flakka drugs are related to the alteration of cardiovascular function. When the substance reaches the brain, it undergoes a high catecholaminergic hyperstimulation that leads to cardiological alterations. Those detected today are:

Tachycardia

The use of the flakka drug is associated with a marked increase and acceleration of the heart rate. This substance causes an increase in the contraction of the ventricles and the heart rate is higher than 100 beats per minute at rest.

These effects are usually perceived by the user, who may experience palpitations, weakness, choking or fainting.

Hypertension

The tachycardias produced by the drug can cause a permanent state of arterial hypertension. The figures of the blood pressure in the arteries increases continuously and can lead to serious cardiovascular diseases.

Myoclonus

Myoclonus are sudden, sudden, involuntary movements of the heart. These can be generalized, focal or multifocal and present in the form of jerks.

Although it is not yet very well described what type of myoclonus causes the use of the flakka drug, some cases with this type of conditions have been described.

Hyperthermia

Another of the most detected physical effects in the consumption of flakka drugs are related to body temperature. In fact, it has been described how the use of this substance usually produces an abnormal increase in the body's temperature.

Specifically, it is estimated that the consumption of the flakka drug can raise body temperature to beyond 38 degrees, and in some cases may require immediate medical intervention.

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias are heart rate and rhythm disturbances in which the heart may beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly.

Current data suggest that the main effects of the flakka drug tend to be an increase in heart rate (tachycardia). However, in some cases other types of arrhythmias have also been noted.

Myocardial ischemia

The use of the flakka drug can cause ischemic heart disease in which an imbalance between oxygen supply and cardiac demand arises.

This alteration occurs due to an obstruction of the arterial supply to the heart muscle and apart from being able to cause multiple cardiac damages, it can also cause death.

Sudden death

Finally, the elevated cardiovascular alteration produced by the consumption of the flakka drug can immediately produce sudden death.

This condition has not been known in all cases but can appear through a single consumption. Thus, the flakka drug is considered to be a highly toxic and potentially fatal substance.

-Psychological effects

The psychological effects of the flakka drug are those that produce gratifying sensations and therefore those that motivate its recreational use. Being a stimulant synthetic drug, its main effects at the brain level are characterized by the experimentation of energizing, euphoric and highly rewarding sensations.

Likewise, the drug flakka can cause serious and unpleasant psychological effects, as well as cause significant behavioral disturbances. The main psychological effects that have been described are:

Feelings of euphoria

The main effect caused by the consumption of flakka is translated into heightened feelings of euphoria and pleasure.

These effects could be similar to those of other stimulant drugs such as cocaine and would carry a significant addictive potential of the substance.

Increased alertness

On the other hand, the hyperstimulation caused by the substance causes an increase in the individual's state of alertness. The senses are sharpened and cognitive processes accelerate after consumption.

Sexual arousal

One of the most consistent data that has been collected indicates that the consumption of the flakka drug has an important aphrodisiac effect and its consumption increases arousal and sexual desire.

Increased energy

Likewise, this substance causes a notable increase in energy, eliminates feelings of fatigue and leads to a state of generalized hyperarousal.

Increased activity

Due to the above effect, people who consume this substance experience a high increase in its activity. This fact is reflected in their behavior, which is usually hyperactive, agitated and impulsive.

Panic attacks

Not all the psychological effects produced by the flakka drug are rewarding for the user. In fact, in several cases unpleasant effects have been described, the most prevalent being panic attacks.

Psychosis

Likewise, among the negative effects of flakka drug use is the development of a psychotic episode. This substance can induce delusions and hallucinations relatively easily, especially when large amounts are ingested.

Extreme aggressiveness

Another of the most particular effects of the flakka drug and that has motivated greater interest in this substance is that its consumption usually causes states of agitation and aggressiveness. Likewise, cases have been described in which the substance has caused pictures of extreme aggressiveness.

Components

The drug flakka contains alpha-pyrrolidinopenthiophenone (alpha-PVP) as its main active component. This substance is a synthetic cation that is derived from pyrovalerone. The information on alpha-PVP in the scientific literature is very scarce, so much of its mechanism of action is unknown.

In general, it is known that synthetic cations are amphetamine beta-ketone compounds that are derived from the cation. These substances are commonly found in bath salts and plant fertilizers.

However, studies that have investigated the toxicity of cations in humans are very scarce. So most of the knowledge that is possessed today about these substances comes from clinical cases or personal testimonies.

As regards alpha-PVP, several in vitro studies show that this substance acts as a potent blocker of dopamine and norepinephrine transporters. Thus, alpha-PVP has a pharmacological profile similar to that of another pyrovaleronic cation known as methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV).

These alpha-PVP blocking mechanisms explain the marked stimulant effects caused by the consumption of the drug flakka. When the drug enters the brain, it blocks dopamine and norepinephrine transporters, thereby increasing the presence of these substances, a fact that motivates brain hyperstimulation.

Addictive potential

As with the rest of the characteristics, at present there is still no scientific evidence to determine the addictive potential of the flakka drug. However, two factors about its qualities suggest that the addiction that the consumption of this substance can generate could be very high.

Firstly, as with other stimulant drugs, the flakka drug acts directly on dopamine, increasing its presence in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter closely related to feelings of gratification and on which all addictive drugs act.

On the other hand, the effects caused by the consumption of flakka drug disappear after a short time, a fact that motivates many users to feel like impulsively using it again.

Thus, in the absence of corroborated and contrasted data, it is currently thought that the addictive potential of the drug flakka could be very high.

References

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2. Dawson P, Moffatt JD. Cardiovascular toxicity of novel psychoactive drugs: lessons from the past. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2012; 39: 244-52.
3. de la Cal L. Watch out for the flakka! The World 2015; 1 (1).
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5. Sellors K, Jones A, Chan B. Death due to intravenous use of α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone. Med J Aust. 2014; 17; 201: 601-3.