Humans fear the unknown.
This originally stems from a survival instinct. Unknown could mean serious consequences or death. This hesitancy can be especially important when you don’t know the chemical makeup of a substance you’re considering putting in your body.
That’s the danger that research chemicals, officially known as new psychoactive substances (NPS), present. 7 of the 25 most identified drugs reported to the US National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) in 2021 were new psychoactive substances, or research chemicals. These substances are always changing, making them an unknown quantity.
What we do know is research chemicals can cause serious damage. That means a little fear of them is healthy. But that fear doesn’t need to be overwhelming.
The cure to fearing the unknown is making it known, and research chemicals are a topic Wolf Creek is happy to shine a light on. So let’s talk about it – What exactly are research chemicals?
What Are Research Chemicals? Decoding New Psychoactive Substances
“Research chemicals” go by several names, including “designer drugs” and “legal highs,” though federal agencies refer to them as “new psychoactive substances.”
These substances are usually chemically altered derivatives of popular substances, such as heroin and meth. Heroin and meth are controlled substances, making them illegal, but because research chemicals are chemically altered, they technically aren’t illegal.
That doesn’t make them safe. In fact, they can be really dangerous, because their chemical composition is always changing to stay ahead of drug laws. That means people who purchase research chemicals have no idea what they’re actually getting, and the possibilities for new research chemicals are practically endless. Over 1,000 different new psychoactive substances were reported to the United Nations between 2009 and 2022. That number has only increased since.
Because of all of this, the “high,” side effects, and impact on peoples’ health varies with every dose of a new psychoactive substance. It’s rare to get the same substance twice. It ironically also ensures scientists have a really hard time researching them or keeping track of their effects.
Types of Research Chemicals and Their Mental and Physical Effects
It’s impossible to account for every type of research chemical, but we’ll break down some of the most prominent ones in the chart below.
| Type | Details | Examples(s) | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic cannabinoids | They mimic THC, the hallucinogen found in marijuana, but are significantly stronger | Spice, K2, Kronic | Anxiety, agitation, hallucinations, seizures |
| Synthetic cathinones | Stimulants that mimic the properties of Africa’s khat plant | Bath salts | Hallucinations, high blood pressure, high body temperature, fast heart rates |
| Phenethylamines | Technically include amphetamines like meth and MDMA, but research chemical types can also have strong hallucinogenic properties | PMAA, Bromo-Dragonfly | Seizures, high blood pressure, high body temperature, fast heart rate |
| Aminoindanes | While stimulants, they don’t come with the same intense hallucinogenic symptoms some other research chemicals do | MDAI Gold, Pink Champagnes | Euphoria, enhanced empathy, altered perception, fast heart rate, agitation, hallucinations, headache, insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks |
| Piperazines | These stimulants mimic MDMA/ecstasy and are often sold under that name without really being MDMA | Pep pills, social tonics, party pills | Fast heart rate, high blood pressure, high body temperature, dehydration, seizures, serotonin syndrome, irritability, confusion, anxiety, depression, paranoia, abnormal blood clotting, rhabdo (muscle tissue breakdown) |
| Tryptamines | Some tryptamines occur in nature, but research chemical versions have very strong hallucinogenic properties | Foxy-Methoxy | Euphoria, fast heart rate, high blood pressure, restlessness, dilated pupils, disorientation, flashbacks, psychosis |
| Dissociative drugs | Originally developed as anesthetics, but are now popularly misused for their ability to cause “out-of-body experiences” | Ketamine, phencyclidine (PCP), dextromethorphan (DXM) | Euphoria, enhanced senses, high heart rate, high blood pressure, involuntary eye movements, amnesia. Long-term use can cause cognitive complications and mood and psychotic disorders |
| Plant-based NPS | Originally used for traditional medicine, they are typically ingested in fresh or dried leaf form | Khat, kratom | Vary widely depending on the substance, but may include Increased energy, alertness, euphoria, loss of appetite, fatigue, pain relief, relaxation, nausea, vomiting, and respiratory depression |
Does Research Chemical Misuse and Addiction Exist? Signs to Look Out for
Because research chemicals cover such a broad collection of substances, and even research chemicals that are allegedly the same can differ from one another, addiction to them is also different. There’s no such thing as a “research chemical use disorder,” but repeated use of research chemicals could be considered a polysubstance use disorder.
When it comes to addiction in general, you can ask yourself a few questions:
- Have I tried to stop taking this substance but not succeeded?
- Do I take more of it than I meant to?
- Do I feel like I can’t function without it?
- Am I neglecting my responsibilities due to the substance?
- Is it taking a toll on my relationships and health?
- Do I have to take more of it than I did originally to get the same effects?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, it’s a good idea to examine your relationship with substances and consider seeking help. It’s also important to remember that research chemicals are never safe for human consumption, so taking them habitually is already cause for concern.
Getting Help and Treatment for Research Chemical Addiction in Arizona
If reading this blog has been a wake-up call for you – whether it’s for yourself or your loved one – we encourage you to seek treatment. Drug rehab is helpful for any research chemical addiction or polysubstance use disorder.
Wolf Creek Recovery is an addiction recovery center located in Prescott, Arizona. We know polysubstance use disorders are complicated, and that mental health is a massive component. That’s why we offer dual diagnosis treatment, where we tackle our clients’ relationships with substances and any trauma or undiagnosed mental health conditions that are contributing. You or your loved one can still build a life you love. Call us at 1-833-732-8202 to get started.
