Flakka – What You Need to Know

Flakka is an illegal street drug; the latest member of the ‘Bath Salts’ family.  And it’s spreading just as fast as it’s older brothers.

Flakka is spreading north from origins in Florida and Texas. Flakka is a close cousin to compounds already declared illegal.  Drug dealers are forced to be increasingly resourceful.  ‘Remix drugs’, like Flakka, are the latest illegal drug ‘workarounds’.

Experts are concerned about Flakka’s effects. Reports show vast differences in quality, purity, and potency of this imported drug.  The effect on the neurotransmitter Dopamine is the main cause of the bizarre effects on humans. In basic terms, Flakka prevents Dopamine from being removed from the nerve junctions, allowing affected nerve to continue to fire. This state of  has been described as “excited delirium.”

There is little research on the actual affects of this chemical on the brain.  Users are considered ‘Guinea Pigs’ as they are apparently willing participate in real-time drug research. Reported methods of use include e-cigarette ‘vapeing’.

On January 28, 2014, the US DEA listed Flakka as Schedule 1. 

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