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Research chemicals: Difference between revisions
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'''Research chemicals''' (also called '''RCs''', '''experimental chemicals''', '''legal highs''' or '''designer drugs''') are [[psychoactive substances]] which have undergone little to no scientific and medical studies.<ref name="faq">Research Chemical FAQ - Experimental and Research Chemicals used as Psychoactives by Erowid & Murple v 1.6 - Jun 4, 2010 (Erowid) | https://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/research_chems/research_chems_faq.shtml</ref> Vendors often use the term "research chemical" to bypass legal restrictions for selling psychoactive compounds. Research chemicals commonly come in baggies labelled "not for human consumption" and are stated to be used for scientific research purposes only. | '''Research chemicals''' (also called '''RCs''', '''experimental chemicals''', '''legal highs''' or '''designer drugs''') are [[psychoactive substances]] which have undergone little to no scientific and medical studies.<ref name="faq">Research Chemical FAQ - Experimental and Research Chemicals used as Psychoactives by Erowid & Murple v 1.6 - Jun 4, 2010 (Erowid) | https://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/research_chems/research_chems_faq.shtml</ref> Vendors often use the term "research chemical" to bypass legal restrictions for selling psychoactive compounds. Research chemicals commonly come in baggies labelled "not for human consumption" and are stated to be used for scientific research purposes only. | ||
Most information about them is based on first-hand experiences and anecdotal evidence. Research chemicals have similar effects and molecular structures to many illegal | Most information about them is based on first-hand experiences and anecdotal evidence. Research chemicals have similar effects and molecular structures to many illegal drugs and are often invented to bypass current drug laws or improve upon existing psychoactive substances.<ref>Interview with a Ketamine Chemist By Hamilton Morris (Vice) | https://www.vice.com/read/interview-with-ketamine-chemist-704-v18n2</ref> | ||
There have been multiple deaths caused by research chemicals, including | There have been multiple deaths caused by research chemicals, including drugs in the [[25x-NBOMe|NBOMe series]], [[Bromo-DragonFLY]]<ref>Bromo-Dragonfly Fatalities / Deaths by Erowid | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/bromo_dragonfly/bromo_dragonfly_death.shtml</ref>, [[2C-T-7]], and others. The use of research chemicals is more risky than the use of more common, well-studied drugs mainly because of the lack of medical investigation. It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using these chemicals. | ||
==Toxicity and harm potential== | ==Toxicity and harm potential== | ||
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In terms of known risk factors, common issues for research chemicals include the the mislabeling, misidentification, and misrepresentation of products; the adulteration of other compounds; and issues of purity.<ref name="erowid">Experimental & Research Chemicals (Synthetic Drugs, Novel Psychoactive Substances, New Psychoactive Substances, NPS, Replacement Psychoactives) (Erowid) | https://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/research_chems/</ref> Combining research chemicals presents a risk due to the lack of research and understanding of the drugs' pharmacology. For example, if a research chemical has [[MAOI]] effects (like 2C-T-7), this could make it dangerous to combine it with other [[MAOI]]s, [[stimulant]]s and certain substances which release [[serotonin]] or [[dopamine]]. It is recommended to avoid blends or branded products if the active psychoactive compounds are not listed on the labelling.<ref name="tripsit">Research Chemicals (Tripsit) | https://wiki.tripsit.me/wiki/Research_Chemicals</ref> | In terms of known risk factors, common issues for research chemicals include the the mislabeling, misidentification, and misrepresentation of products; the adulteration of other compounds; and issues of purity.<ref name="erowid">Experimental & Research Chemicals (Synthetic Drugs, Novel Psychoactive Substances, New Psychoactive Substances, NPS, Replacement Psychoactives) (Erowid) | https://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/research_chems/</ref> Combining research chemicals presents a risk due to the lack of research and understanding of the drugs' pharmacology. For example, if a research chemical has [[MAOI]] effects (like 2C-T-7), this could make it dangerous to combine it with other [[MAOI]]s, [[stimulant]]s and certain substances which release [[serotonin]] or [[dopamine]]. It is recommended to avoid blends or branded products if the active psychoactive compounds are not listed on the labelling.<ref name="tripsit">Research Chemicals (Tripsit) | https://wiki.tripsit.me/wiki/Research_Chemicals</ref> | ||
Several fatal overdoses have occurred due to [[Bromo-DragonFLY]] accidentally being mislabelled by online vendors as both [[2C-B-FLY]]<ref name="2cbfly">Information on Reported Deaths Related to 2C-B-FLY Misidentified Substance is Most Likely Bromo-dragonfly by the Erowid Crew v1.6 - Nov 9, 2009 | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/2cb_fly/2cb_fly_death1.shtml</ref> and [[2C-E]].<ref name="2ce">Bromo-Dragonfly Fatalities / Deaths by Erowid | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/bromo_dragonfly/bromo_dragonfly_death.shtml</ref><ref name="2ce2">Second Victim Dies After Taking Designer Drug In Konawa | http://www.newson6.com/story/14641463/second-victim-dies-after-taking-designer-drug-in-konawa</ref> The former is active in the 200-800ug range and is significantly more potent than 2C-E. Situations like this can be avoided by simply dosing a minuscule amount of a | Several fatal overdoses have occurred due to [[Bromo-DragonFLY]] accidentally being mislabelled by online vendors as both [[2C-B-FLY]]<ref name="2cbfly">Information on Reported Deaths Related to 2C-B-FLY Misidentified Substance is Most Likely Bromo-dragonfly by the Erowid Crew v1.6 - Nov 9, 2009 | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/2cb_fly/2cb_fly_death1.shtml</ref> and [[2C-E]].<ref name="2ce">Bromo-Dragonfly Fatalities / Deaths by Erowid | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/bromo_dragonfly/bromo_dragonfly_death.shtml</ref><ref name="2ce2">Second Victim Dies After Taking Designer Drug In Konawa | http://www.newson6.com/story/14641463/second-victim-dies-after-taking-designer-drug-in-konawa</ref> The former is active in the 200-800ug range and is significantly more potent than 2C-E. Situations like this can be avoided by simply dosing a minuscule amount of a drug (roughly 0.5 milligrams) and waiting for several hours. It is recommended to do this for all new batches of drugs that you do not completely trust. | ||
Anecdotal evidence from people who have tried research chemicals within the community suggest that there do not seem to be any negative health effects attributed to simply trying research chemicals at low to moderate doses by themselves and using them sparingly, but nothing can be completely guaranteed. For example, in one extreme case, the research chemical [[MPPP]] was found in some cases to contain an impurity called [[MPTP]], which caused brain damage that could result in a syndrome identical to full-blown Parkinson's disease from only a single dose.<ref name="faq"></ref> | Anecdotal evidence from people who have tried research chemicals within the community suggest that there do not seem to be any negative health effects attributed to simply trying research chemicals at low to moderate doses by themselves and using them sparingly, but nothing can be completely guaranteed. For example, in one extreme case, the research chemical [[MPPP]] was found in some cases to contain an impurity called [[MPTP]], which caused brain damage that could result in a syndrome identical to full-blown Parkinson's disease from only a single dose.<ref name="faq"></ref> | ||
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Pharmacological deaths are fatalities caused by the direct action of the chemical in the body and do not include deaths as a result of inebriated behavior. The content below is likely an incomplete list. | Pharmacological deaths are fatalities caused by the direct action of the chemical in the body and do not include deaths as a result of inebriated behavior. The content below is likely an incomplete list. | ||
====Synthetic cannabinoids==== | ====Synthetic cannabinoids==== | ||
*'''[[MDMB-FUBINACA]]''' - MDMB-FUBINACA has gained a reputation as the most deadly synthetic cannabinoid | *'''[[MDMB-FUBINACA]]''' - MDMB-FUBINACA has gained a reputation as the most deadly synthetic cannabinoid drug sold to date.<ref>Identification and analytical characteristics of synthetic cannabinoids with an indazole-3-carboxamide structure bearing a N-1-methoxycarbonylalkyl group. | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25893797</ref> At least 1000 hospitalisations and 40 deaths have been linked to this drug in media and government reports as of March 2015.<ref>25 killed, over 700 hospitalized: Cheap ‘Spice’ designer drug causes severe poisoning across Russia | https://www.rt.com/news/193700-russia-spice-deadly-drug</ref><ref>"Clinical presentations of intoxication by new psychoactive compound MDMB(N)-Bz-F. Thesis of The II Scientific and Practical Seminar 'Methodical, Organizational and Law Problems of Chemical and Toxicological Laboratories of Narcological Services', Moscow" (in Russian). | http://www.narkotiki.ru/objects/narkotiki02/1414709242.ppt</ref> | ||
====Psychedelics==== | ====Psychedelics==== | ||
*'''[[AMT]]''' - Deaths from AMT are rare<ref name="amt">AMT (Alphamethyltryptamine, IT-290) Fatalities / Deaths by Erowid | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/amt/amt_death.shtml</ref><ref name="amt2">Boland DM, Andollo W, Hime GW, Hearn WL. “Fatality due to acute alpha-methyltryptamine intoxication”. J Anal Toxicol. 2005 Jul-Aug;29(5):394-7. | https://www.erowid.org/references/refs_view.php?ID=6603</ref> but, as a powerful [[monoamine]] [[reuptake inhibitor]] (MRI), injury could occur when excessive doses are taken or when it is taken with | *'''[[AMT]]''' - Deaths from AMT are rare<ref name="amt">AMT (Alphamethyltryptamine, IT-290) Fatalities / Deaths by Erowid | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/amt/amt_death.shtml</ref><ref name="amt2">Boland DM, Andollo W, Hime GW, Hearn WL. “Fatality due to acute alpha-methyltryptamine intoxication”. J Anal Toxicol. 2005 Jul-Aug;29(5):394-7. | https://www.erowid.org/references/refs_view.php?ID=6603</ref> but, as a powerful [[monoamine]] [[reuptake inhibitor]] (MRI), injury could occur when excessive doses are taken or when it is taken with drugs such as [[MAOIs]], [[RIMA]]s, [[stimulant]]s and any substance which act as a [[releasing agent]] or [[reuptake inhibitor]] of [[neurotransmitters]] such as [[serotonin]] and [[dopamine]].<ref>Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, opioid analgesics and serotonin toxicity | http://bja.oxfordjournals.org/content/95/4/434</ref> | ||
*'''[[DOC]]''' - There is one reported death from DOC, however, the toxicology report hasn't been released nor has the presence of DOC been confirmed.<ref>DOC (2,5-Dimethoxy-ChloroAmphetamine) Fatalities / Deaths by Erowid | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/doc/doc_death.shtml</ref> | *'''[[DOC]]''' - There is one reported death from DOC, however, the toxicology report hasn't been released nor has the presence of DOC been confirmed.<ref>DOC (2,5-Dimethoxy-ChloroAmphetamine) Fatalities / Deaths by Erowid | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/doc/doc_death.shtml</ref> | ||
*'''[[2C-T-7]]''' - There have been at least three reported deaths related to 2C-T-7 use at insufflated (nasal) doses of 30 mg or more<ref name="one">A Reported 2C-T-7 Death by Erowid July 2003 | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/2ct7/2ct7_death1.shtml</ref><ref name="two">Second Reported 2C-T-7 Death by Erowid Apr 2, 2001 | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/2ct7/2ct7_death2.shtml</ref> or combined with stimulants such as [[MDMA]].<ref name="three">Third Confirmed 2C-T-7 Death by Erowid Apr 10, 2001 | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/2ct7/2ct7_death3.shtml</ref> It is not recommended to [[insufflate]] (snort) this | *'''[[2C-T-7]]''' - There have been at least three reported deaths related to 2C-T-7 use at insufflated (nasal) doses of 30 mg or more<ref name="one">A Reported 2C-T-7 Death by Erowid July 2003 | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/2ct7/2ct7_death1.shtml</ref><ref name="two">Second Reported 2C-T-7 Death by Erowid Apr 2, 2001 | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/2ct7/2ct7_death2.shtml</ref> or combined with stimulants such as [[MDMA]].<ref name="three">Third Confirmed 2C-T-7 Death by Erowid Apr 10, 2001 | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/2ct7/2ct7_death3.shtml</ref> It is not recommended to [[insufflate]] (snort) this drug or combine it with [[MAOI]]s, [[stimulant]]s and certain substances which releases [[serotonin]] or [[dopamine]] because 2C-T-7 may possibly have [[MAOI]] effects.<ref>Sulfur-Substituted α-Alkyl Phenethylamines as Selective and Reversible MAO-A Inhibitors: Biological Activities, CoMFA Analysis, and Active Site Modeling | http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jm0493109</ref> | ||
*'''[[25I-NBOMe]]'''<ref name="one">25I-NBOMe (2C-I-NBOMe) Fatalities / Deaths by Erowid | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/2ci_nbome/2ci_nbome_death.shtml</ref> | *'''[[25I-NBOMe]]'''<ref name="one">25I-NBOMe (2C-I-NBOMe) Fatalities / Deaths by Erowid | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/2ci_nbome/2ci_nbome_death.shtml</ref> | ||
*'''[[25B-NBOMe]]'''<ref name="three">Other or Unknown NBOMe Compound Fatalities / Deaths by Erowid | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/nbome/nbome_death.shtml</ref> | *'''[[25B-NBOMe]]'''<ref name="three">Other or Unknown NBOMe Compound Fatalities / Deaths by Erowid | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/nbome/nbome_death.shtml</ref> | ||
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*'''[[MXP]]'''<ref>Elliott SP, Brandt SD, Wallach J, Morris H, Kavanagh PV. “First Reported Fatalities Associated with the 'Research Chemical' 2-Methoxydiphenidine”. J Anal Toxicol. 2015 May;39(4):287-293. | https://www.erowid.org/references/refs_view.php?ID=8804</ref> | *'''[[MXP]]'''<ref>Elliott SP, Brandt SD, Wallach J, Morris H, Kavanagh PV. “First Reported Fatalities Associated with the 'Research Chemical' 2-Methoxydiphenidine”. J Anal Toxicol. 2015 May;39(4):287-293. | https://www.erowid.org/references/refs_view.php?ID=8804</ref> | ||
====Opioids==== | ====Opioids==== | ||
*'''[[Acetylfentanyl]]''' - Between March 2013 and May 2013, 14 overdose deaths related to injected acetylfentanyl had occurred in Rhode Island. After confirming five overdoses in one county, including a fatality, Pennsylvania asked coroners and medical examiners across the state to screen for acetylfentanyl, which led to 50 confirmed fatalities and five non-fatal overdoses statewide in 2013.<ref>Ogilvie, Laurie, Christina Stanley, Lauren Lewis, Molly Boyd, Matthew Lozier, Matthew Lozier. "Notes from the Field: Acetyl Fentanyl Overdose Fatalities — Rhode Island, March–May 2013". cdc.gov. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 11 November 2013. | http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6234a5.htm</ref><ref>Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. "Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs warns about acetyl fentanyl: | *'''[[Acetylfentanyl]]''' - Between March 2013 and May 2013, 14 overdose deaths related to injected acetylfentanyl had occurred in Rhode Island. After confirming five overdoses in one county, including a fatality, Pennsylvania asked coroners and medical examiners across the state to screen for acetylfentanyl, which led to 50 confirmed fatalities and five non-fatal overdoses statewide in 2013.<ref>Ogilvie, Laurie, Christina Stanley, Lauren Lewis, Molly Boyd, Matthew Lozier, Matthew Lozier. "Notes from the Field: Acetyl Fentanyl Overdose Fatalities — Rhode Island, March–May 2013". cdc.gov. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 11 November 2013. | http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6234a5.htm</ref><ref>Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. "Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs warns about acetyl fentanyl: drug caused at least 50 fatalities in 2013 in Pennsylvania.". Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. | http://www.pa.gov/portal/server.pt/document/1345188/department_of_drug_and_alcohol_programs_warns_about_acetyl_fentanyl</ref> Another 5 deaths were reported in Jefferson Parish, New Orleans,<ref> Grunfeld, David (November 1, 2013). "Couple found dead in Old Metairie home killed by lethal new synthetic drug". NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Retrieved 28 March 2014. | http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2013/10/couple_found_dead_in_old_metai.html</ref> along with three more in North Carolina.<ref> "DHHS Issues Health Advisory for Deadly New Synthetic Drug". NC DHHS Press Releases. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved 27 August 2014. | http://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/dhhs-issues-health-advisory-deadly-new-synthetic-drug</ref> | ||
*'''[[AH-7921]]'''- In a 2014 study which investigated nine fatalities in which AH-7921 was involved, it was concluded that poly-drug use was not a major contributing factor for the deaths and that a more important factor was the person's tolerance to opiates, which led to an overdose when the | *'''[[AH-7921]]'''- In a 2014 study which investigated nine fatalities in which AH-7921 was involved, it was concluded that poly-drug use was not a major contributing factor for the deaths and that a more important factor was the person's tolerance to opiates, which led to an overdose when the drug was taken in excessive amounts.<ref>Fatal Intoxications Associated with the Designer Opioid AH-7921 | http://jat.oxfordjournals.org/content/38/8/599.full</ref> | ||
*'''[[U-47700]]''' - Combined consumption of U-47700 and [[fentanyl]] caused one fatality in Belgium.<ref>Twee doden in België door overdosis met fentanylpleisters | http://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/binnenland/1.2558454</ref> At least 17 opioid overdoses and several deaths in the USA have also been connected with the use of U-47700.<ref>Synthetic opiate makers stay step ahead of US | *'''[[U-47700]]''' - Combined consumption of U-47700 and [[fentanyl]] caused one fatality in Belgium.<ref>Twee doden in België door overdosis met fentanylpleisters | http://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/binnenland/1.2558454</ref> At least 17 opioid overdoses and several deaths in the USA have also been connected with the use of U-47700.<ref>Synthetic opiate makers stay step ahead of US drug laws as overdose cases rise (the guardian) | http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/11/synthetic-opiates-drug-laws-w-18-fentanyl</ref> | ||
====Stimulants==== | ====Stimulants==== | ||
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<references/> | <references/> | ||
{{Template:Responsible use2}} | {{Template:Responsible use2}} | ||
[[Category:Responsible | [[Category:Responsible drug use]] | ||