There is a difference between legal research chemicals used in scientific research and those that are used as a way to get high.
The latter are developed in a laboratory and are meant to simulate the effects of other commonly misused drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and opioids. These substances tend to be inexpensive to make and to purchase, and produce more intense highs than other drugs.
Legal research chemicals (also known as designer drugs) are inadequately understood in terms of substance abuse, and are therefore very dangerous.
In addition, the recipes are not regulated and may be altered to avoid the law, so potency and ingredients can vary greatly. This makes using these substances extremely dangerous since you never know precisely what you have and are consuming.
Below are several examples of commonly abused research chemicals:
2C Class Drugs: Legal Psychedelic Research Chemicals
2C class substances include drugs such as 2C-E, 2C-B, and 2C-I – extremely potent psychedelic drugs that cause stimulant and hallucinogenic effects in those who use them. The drugs were first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin, the same person who first suggested the idea of using MDMA as a medical treatment option.
As with other drugs, the use of any 2C class drug has the potential for addiction, overdose, and adverse health risks. In addition, since they’re relatively uncommon, many people aren’t aware of the correct dosage sizes, so these may have an elevated overdose risk when compared to most other drugs.
Most popular research chemicals categorized as C2 class drugs come in powder or pill form. Taking these drugs is a considerable risk. They can overstimulate your circulation or heart and may also cause nausea, vomiting, and headaches.
Some people who have used these drugs have experienced panic attacks, confusion, agitation, or even severe psychosis. In addition, regular users may become anxious or depressed when stopping use.
Synthetic Cannabinoids: Popular Research Chemicals
These designer drugs are meant to mimic the effects of marijuana and are often sold as “incense” or “herbal smoking mixture” and labelled as “not for human consumption”. Common synthetic cannabinoids include spice and K2.
These popular research chemicals go by many street names, including Devil’s Weed, Amsterdam Gold, Black Mamba, Spice, Mary Joy, and others. They start as an oil or a solid and are combined with plant cuttings, vegetable matter, or dried herbs to create a mixture that can be smoked.
While these drugs produce relaxing feelings just like organic marijuana, they can also be unpredictable and lead to overdose. Users have been hospitalized for symptoms like heart attacks, intense hallucinations, psychosis, and more.
As a result, users have been hospitalized for symptoms like heart attacks, intense hallucinations, psychosis, and more. Some people have even experienced tremors and seizures after using these popular research chemicals.
Using these substances regularly can lead to dependency. Those who are dependent and stop using them may have a variety of withdrawal symptoms. This can include irritability, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, mood changes, and weight loss. Some also experience shaking, diarrhea, and sweating.
Tryptamines: Legal Psychedelic Research Chemicals
Tryptamines are a group of synthetic psychedelic drugs that includes drugs like LSD, DMT, and psilocybin, as well as newer, less well-known drugs like 4-HO-MET, 2C-I, and TMA-2.
These drugs are typically not addictive but can lead to tolerance. They generally are snorted, injected, or smoked but can come in pellet, tab, liquid, or powder form and swallowed.
The effects of synthetic tryptamine highs are often more intense than most other hallucinogens and include paranoia and psychosis. Some may also produce effects like sweating, vomiting, and heart problems.
As a result, overdosing on these legal research chemicals is not uncommon. A small amount can cause severe damage.
It can be hard to determine whether something is a tryptamine or not since it comes in so many forms. Colored and white capsules, pellets of various hues, and liquid versions exist. The liquid is sometimes soaked into small pieces of paper, often with a picture on it, and then consumed.
Individuals who use these popular research chemicals will get used to the effects and may begin to use more. Some tryptamines don’t seem to be addictive, but others have stimulant effects and can create dependency and addiction.
Opioids: Legal Opioid Research Chemicals
Synthetic opioid research chemicals are designer drugs meant to mimic the effects of the seeds from a plant called the opium poppy. As the opioid crisis grows, these drugs, especially fentanyl, are becoming more and more popular to abuse.
Depending on the specific drug, these can be white powder, pills, lollipops, patches, tables, or even liquid solutions.
These drugs are highly addictive and already tend to be very strong. When untested and unregulated versions hit the market, the potential for overdose only grows. Some of the health risks of synthetic opioids include nausea, loss of consciousness, dizziness, breathing suppression, blurred vision, and temporary hearing loss.
Synthetic opioids can be contaminated in shipment or production with other substances like starch, sugar, or powdered milk to boost the profits of the person who sells them.
Fentanyl has recently become a common substance in heroin that may lead to serious health complications or even death.
Synthetic opioid research chemicals are highly addictive. As with other opiates, tolerance can occur through regular use, leading to a dependency on the substance. Most are also class A drugs that are illegal to possess, share, or sell with other people.
Get Help for Dependency on Legal Research Chemicals
All in all, while research chemical addiction rates vary by type of drug, every research chemical is extremely dangerous – the risk of overdosing and adverse health effects are high.
So if you’re concerned that someone you love may be abusing any of these or other research chemicals, it’s essential to help them seek treatment.
Compared to other rehab facilities, Any Length Retreat goes above and beyond to ensure the best experience possible. We help individuals and their families on the journey away from addiction and into a new life filled with joy. You can learn more on our website or contact our admissions team at 512-598-9968.
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