There are many dangerous and addictive drugs circulating on the streets today. Some drugs pose more danger than others and can easily cause overdose and death.
One of the newest and most dangerous drugs circulating right now is a synthetic form of LSD known as 25i. Many deaths are attributed directly to the use of this synthetic form of LSD. Please keep reading to find out more about this drug and the dangers it poses to users.
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One of the newer drugs on the street right now is a synthetic form of LSD called 25i. Created at The University of Berlin in 2003, this particular substance is considered a designer drug and poses a threat to those who use it. Since it was first synthesized, people have learned how to recreate the drug illegally and to sell it to others on the street.
25i is inexpensive compared to other frequently sold illegal drugs, costing anywhere from $5 to $10 per dose. It commonly comes in powder form that is snorted or diluted to liquid form to consume on blotter paper inserted into the mouth. Like the dangerous drug Fentanyl, this drug absorbs through the skin. It can create unintentional ingestion or overdose by coming into contact with it.
The danger presented by this drug is that it is very easy to overdose and cause death. Many people have died in recent years as a direct result of ingesting this substance. Over time, the formula for the base substance has changed to create a more intoxicating effect, increasing its lethality. The medical community has determined this drug has zero medical value. Because of its highly addictive and dangerous nature, the Drug and Enforcement Agency (DEA) gave it the classification of a Schedule I drug.
The Drug Enforcement Agency, or DEA1https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling, provides a guide for classifying drugs. They label them according to any potential medical benefit or the risk of addiction and harm drugs carry. The scale also measures these risk by classifying drugs. A Schedule I to a Schedule V. The least harmful and medically beneficial are the Schedule V drugs. They pose the least potential for harm to the user and addictions.
The more dangerous and addictive drugs become, the more the Schedules decrease in number. Som examples of Schedule V drugs include codeine (such as cough medicine), and other prescription drugs, such as Lyrica and Lomotil.
Drugs classified as having a low potential for dependence and health risks are classified as Schedule IV drugs. Some common examples include Darvocet, Valium, Ativan and Ambien. These common prescriptions are only obtained with a prescription from a licensed medical doctor.
As the risk to health and for addiction increases, so does the Schedule. Schedule III drugs include anabolic steroids, ketamine, Tylenol with codeine and testosterone.
The Schedule II drug list includes the more common street drugs with a high risk for dependency and significant health risks. Some common Schedule II drugs include fentanyl, Adderall, methamphetamine, Buprenorphine/Naltrexone and oxycodone.
The most dangerous controlled substances and drugs are Schedule I. That means that according to the government, there is little to no medical use for the drug. Additionally, it also means there’s a high risk for dependency, death or both. These drugs cause overdoses and having life-threatening side effects. These deaths can occur in individuals who only use the drug once. The synthetic LSD known as 25i is a Schedule I drug and is very dangerous to anyone who uses it.
This new drug2https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7054380/ derives from N-methoxybenzyl-methoxyphenylethylamine, and the chemical abbreviation for 25i is (NBOMe). It’s commonly referred to as N-bomb. This type or strain of the drug exploded onto the street drug scene in 2010. It gained a reputation as a powerful and dangerous drug after several months of circulating on the illegal drug market.
This drug works with the help of the brain’s 5-HT2A receptors. These are neurons located within the frontal cortex of the brain that receive serotonin. They work as the uptake vehicle to endure the effects of the drug. These parts of the brain cause issues for people who have certain disorders such as schizophrenia because they don’t process the serotonin correctly.
Ralf Heim, a German scientist seeking to learn more about and monitor brain waves in humans, created 25i in 2003. The drug is a derivative of the mescaline plant, which comes from the Peyote cactus found in the deserts of North America. This tailored drug causes hallucinations and other strange behavior in people who take it.
One reason 25i is so dangerous is that it causes lasting effects on the serotonin transmitters in the brain, contributing to what is called serotonin syndrome. Although a reported effect of 25i consumption, serotonin syndrome is more commonly observed in patients who have taken antidepressants over time.
These drugs overwhelm the brain by causing too much serotonin to release. The brain’s neurotransmitters can’t absorb the serotonin and create conditions over a period of days that include the following.
Exposure over time leaves significant impacts and dramatically increases the risk of developing a life-threatening situation and long-term damage to the brain.
Much like the common street drug LSD, the new designer synthetic LSD, 25i, comes in liquid form and is usually applied to blotter paper before being ingested.
The user then puts the blotter paper in their mouth, and the substance absorbs through the tissues of the mouth and cheeks. That isn’t the only way this drug is used, however. It is also smoked with other drugs such as marijuana or even tobacco. It’s also ingested by snorting it like cocaine.
Although usually ingested orally, this drug is also injected in some instances. This drug is so dangerous to the user because it only takes a tiny quantity to have a massive impact and effect on the person’s system.
Much like the familiar and dangerous drug Fentanyl, this drug is consumed in small quantities. A few small grains the size of salt is all that’s required to create intoxication. When the users don’t realize the potency and dangers involved in only a small amount of the drug, there’s a great potential for hospitalization and even death.
The effects of 25i are very pronounced and range from person to person. Typical effects of 25i use may include one or more of the following.
Some of the more severe side effects of the drug include the following.
These symptoms could alert to a dangerous situation. Patients may need immediate medical treatment to prevent the condition from progressing further.
One dangerous situation that arises from using 25i is rhabdomyolysis. This happens when a drug is in the bloodstream and surges through the circulatory system and muscles of the user. This condition is toxic and has a range of symptoms, including the following.
Various other symptoms occur with rhabdomyolysis that requires urgent medical treatment. When the individual has a medical issue or realizes they have a problem, they can reach out to the caring professionals at Windward Way Recovery. We can help them get the treatment they need to get clean and lead a safer and happier life.
Although the risk of dependency isn’t yet determined, evidence supports the need to increase the dosage to get the same effect steadily. A rapid tolerance builds within the first few uses and creates the climate for overdose potential.
Exposure in small quantities can create a life-threatening situation. Teens are especially at risk for overdose and are the group usually to seek this drug. There are no clear outlines for dependency, but a general guide to drug addiction potential and signs apply in this case.
If you suspect a friend or family member of using 25i, you need to address the situation with caring compassion. Try to approach the subject about the topic without confrontation. It’s hard for people to come clean about their drug use, which is especially true of teens, the group most likely to experiment with this drug.
It’s imperative to get the person the help they need if they continue to use this substance. It is potentially lethal and can lead to risky behavior or delusions of abilities the user doesn’t have.
An instance is a recent death of a college student who was convinced he could fly. He lept from a building to his death. These situations can happen to anyone who uses the drug regardless of their tolerance, experience or previous drug use.
The goal is to convince the user to seek treatment from a recovery center specializing in addictions or drug use. They accurately assess the situation and craft a treatment plan based on the patient’s needs.
Once admitted, the medical technicians and recovery specialists watch the person closely. They provide them with any treatments necessary to overcome withdrawals or other medical situations.Once admitted, the medical technicians and recovery specialists watch the person closely.
They provide them with any treatments necessary to overcome withdrawals or other medical situations. The goal is to provide each person with the support and care they need to safely overcome addiction. We give you all the tool you need to make it to the facility and begin the recovery process in a relaxed space.
Suggested Reading: Drug and Alcohol Addiction
If you want to get effective treatment and help with admissions to a treatment center specializing in this type of care, reach out to Windward Way Recovery. Our caring staff is trained to complete admission quickly.
We realize this is a difficult subject to tackle. Many drug and alcohol users feel nervous and unsure when they reach out for help. They may expect a long process with deeply personal questions or intrusive lines of questioning.
This is not the case for the initial call to our treatment centers. The admissions experts take all vital information related to the person’s drug and alcohol use and any must-know history. This history may include overdoses, previous drug use, health complications, medical history and more.
Once the admissions professional gathers medical and personal history, they take you insurance information. It’s processed immediately so the patient can begin their journey to recovery. During the transit process, we assign a counselor to the patient to keep in touch with them should they need anything or feel uncomfortable. The goal is to keep them calm and anxiety-free until they arrive at the treatment center.
From there, the caring staff at the treatment center handle the rest of the information collection process. They gather more personnel information and detailed history of drug use, and more. The goal is to get a broad view of the issue in its entirety, so a customized treatment plan is in place. To get started with treatment, reach out to Windward Way Recovery with a simple phone call. That’s all it takes to begin a life-saving journey.
