Information about ‘Legal Highs’
‘Legal highs’ like Mephedrone have recently received a lot of attention, as they have been linked to some serious health risks and some of the substances were made illegal in April 2010.
Mephedrone (4-Methylmethcathinone) is part of the Cathinone family of drugs, which is chemically related to amphetamines like speed and ecstasy. Other related drugs include butylone, methylone, methedrone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). These drugs usually come in a white powder and are normally snorted or ‘bombed’ (wrapped in paper and swallowed). All cathinones are now illegal and are Class B drugs. For more information about the classification of substances and sentencing, click here.
Effects: The effects of these substances are similar to ecstasy and cocaine, with people becoming more excitable, talkative and energetic after taking them. Some people experience euphoria and empathy with others.
Risks: The risks are also similar to those of related substances, with users experiencing fast heart rate, anxiety and panic, and also poor circulation with fingers and toes turning blue. Most of these effects stop once the drug has worn off but mephedrone has been linked to deaths, and long-term use could cause some negative psychological effects like anxiety or depression. It is also possible for cathinones to over-excite the nervous system and cause fits, which can be very dangerous.
It is common for people to ‘fiend’ on mephedrone – to be unable to stop using it once they’ve started until their whole stash is used up. It is not thought to be physically addictive but people can become psychologically dependent.
Minimising the risks: A lot of the health risks of mephedrone and other cathinones are not known yet as they are relatively recent drugs. The safest way to avoid any health risks is to avoid taking them, or cut down your use. It is always best to avoid mixing drugs.
Other 'legal highs'
Naphyrone is closely related to the cathinone drugs, with similar effects and similar risks such as over-stimulating the heart and circulatory system, anxiety and panic attacks and the possibility of psychological dependency. Naphyrone was made illegal in July 2010 and is also now a Class B drug.
‘Ivory Wave’ is a powerful stimulant, another ‘legal high’ which may contain some of the above substances as well as other drugs. It has been reported to have similar effects to cathinones, though they can be stronger and last much longer and therefore carry higher health risks as the body is put under greater strain. There have been a lot of presentations to hospital as a result of people taking Ivory Wave, with some of the reported risks being extreme anxiety, paranoia, fits, changes in blood pressure, high heart rate and the possibility of kidney failure. It is marketed as a ‘legal’ substance (though it is usually marked ‘not for human consumption’) but if it contains any of the cathinones or other drugs which are illegal, it will be a Class B and anyone caught with it could face a fine or prison.
There are a lot of other ‘legal’ substances and ‘herbal highs’ out there – just because something is legal does not mean it is safe (and often, just because something is marketed as legal doesn’t necessarily mean it contains no illegal substances). Many of these are very new drugs, with potentially very serious health risks that are not always known, and if something goes wrong, medical staff may not know how to treat it. Like any drugs, the safest thing to do is avoid them, but if you are going to take something, make sure it is in a safe environment with people who will take care of you if something goes wrong.