What Is Flakka?

You might have heard of a newly emerging ‘zombie drug’ known as flakka. Similar to bath salts and other designer drugs, this dangerous synthetic cathinone has been making headlines on both sides of the Atlantic.

But what is flakka, and what are the risks involved with using it? Find out more here.

What Is Flakka?

Flakka is the street name for the synthetic cathinone alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (generally shortened to alpha-PVP or α-PVP).

Cathinone is a naturally occurring stimulant drug found in the plant khat. As a stimulant, it has similar effects to amphetamines (speed) and MDMA (ecstasy). This can include feelings of euphoria, increased alertness, more energy, a feeling of confidence and talkativeness.

However, synthetic cathinones – including flakka – can be far stronger and more unpredictable, with a range of adverse side effects. Well over a hundred synthetic cathinones have been identified on the illicit market, and their actions, mechanisms, metabolism, toxicity and abuse potential have to be considered on a case-by-case basis. The catch-all term of ‘bath salts’ is sometimes used to describe a number of synthetic cathinones.

According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),  where misuse is a big problem, Flakka is typically white or pink in colour and is found in crystal form. It is sometimes referred to as ‘gravel’.

How Is Flakka Used?

The flakka drug is generally taken by people looking for its stimulant effect. This drug can be used in a number of different ways, including:

• Swallowing
• Snorting
• Injecting
• Smoking
• Vaporised in e-cigarettes

Some of these methods have their own risks alongside the risks of the drug itself. For example, taking flakka intravenously (injecting) can increase the risks of infections, blood poisoning and damage to the veins. Vaporising the drug in an e-cigarette can accelerate absorption but can also increase the risk of overdose and other adverse side effects, as well as potentially causing long-term damage to the lungs.

Why Is Flakka So Dangerous?

The use of flakka is highly dangerous due to its potency, which can reportedly be ten times stronger than cocaine. While it’s difficult to accurately estimate usage of emergent drugs like flakka in the UK, it’s worth remembering that there are thousands of cocaine overdoses every year. In 2023, there were more than a thousand deaths related to cocaine in England and Wales alone, and many more that would have resulted in debilitating and long-term damage to the heart and cardiovascular system. As flakka is a much stronger stimulant, the risks can be even higher.

Additionally, as flakka is a synthetic drug made in the laboratory, the exact chemical compositions can vary from one batch to the next – meaning the effects and risks can vary as well. Flakka can also be ‘cut’ with other substances.

Physical & Psychological Effects

Flakka works by inhibiting dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake. This can lead to intense stimulation and sensations that the user tends to seek. However, it can also have a wide range of less desirable physical and psychological effects.

The UK government lists a range of side effects common to synthetic cathinones in general. These include nausea and vomiting, agitation, confusion, palpitations, tachycardia, chest pain, and hypertension. Less commonly, convulsions, hyperthermia, hallucinations, rhabdomyolysis, ECG abnormalities, headaches, skin rashes and peripheral vasoconstriction may occur.

Flakka specifically has also been linked to:

• Excited delirium: agitation, hallucinations, delirium, paranoia, and psychosis.
• Violent aggression, self-harm and bizarre behaviour (with reported behaviours including running naked, superhuman strength and ‘zombie’ acts of aggression).
• Physical symptoms including hyperthermia, elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, dehydration, organ failure (including kidneys and heart), and rhabdomyolysis.

There is also a high overdose potential, even at very low doses, due to the drug’s inconsistent purity and high potency. Flakka overdose can result in heart attack, stroke, seizure and death.

 The Impact of Flakka Misuse

Flakka has been making lurid headlines for more than a decade now. In one early case, the drug was linked with an assault in Florida that saw a 19-year-old student allegedly attacking two victims and biting the face of one.

“When you see a case like this where someone is biting off pieces of somebody’s face, could it be flakka? The answer is it absolutely could be a flakka case,” Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said at the time.

There have been many such reports since, as well as more measured scientific investigations. One medical report detailed a hospitalisation and flakka-induced prolonged psychosis in another teenager who claimed a friend had put the drug in her food at school as a joke. The fact that flakka can cause delusions, paranoid psychosis, extreme agitation and many other altered mental states is now well-established. One study notes that α-PVP causes agitated delirium, which can lead to bizarre behaviour, anxiety, agitation, violence, confusion, myoclonus, and seizure.

It’s worth noting that Alpha-PVP is classified as a Schedule I drug by the DEA in the USA, where use is more widespread. This indicates high abuse potential and no accepted medical use.

Why Knowing Matters & What to Do

As with other synthetic cathinones, flakka is a relatively new drug of abuse, and experts are still learning more about how it works. The risk of serious harm is well established, though, and flakka and similar drugs should be avoided.

As with other illicit stimulants, flakka can be highly addictive and early intervention is key if you or someone you know has been using this substance.

At Asana Lodge we have a wealth of experience dealing with addictions of all kinds, including new psychoactive substances (NPAs) like flakka and other synthetic cathinones. Necessary treatment could involve a supervised detox and a comprehensive drug rehab programme. This will use a range of therapies and other treatments to deal with the root causes of substance misuse and the psychological aspects of addiction.

As flakka can have severe psychological impacts, mental health treatments could also be required. This may involve specialist dual diagnosis treatment, where co-existing addiction and mental health issues are treated at the same time.

Need Support? Reach Out Today

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol, drug use or any other type of substance misuse, contact us today to find out how we can help. Call us on 01908 489 421, email us at info@asanalodge.com or use our enquiry form today.