With the ever changing landscape of addictions and harmful chemicals in the world today, it’s easy to lose track of or keep up with all that is out there. One of the last places one would think to look out for dangerous addictive drugs would be on the counter of a gas station next to the candy and cigarette lighters.
Make no mistake, that strange packet of striped pills, or that colorful fruit flavored drink may contain powerful drugs legal only by loopholes and marketed to anyone willing to buy it. Another primary reason for a drug user to choose these convenience store options is that they do not show up in most common drug tests allowing detection to be avoided.
Here is a list of what we are calling “gas station drugs”. These chemicals vary in severity and danger. All of them can be addicting.
Kratom
Kratom is an herbal supplement derived from a plant native to Southeast Asia. Either sold as a powder or a liquid, it can produce an effect similar to common opioids and stimulants. It’s marketed as an energy booster, pain reliever, and “mood enhancer.”
Depending on the amount and regularity ingested, Kratom can be extremely addictive and can cause withdrawal symptoms that rival that of the most severe opiate withdrawals. Ironically it is often used to counteract the withdrawal symptoms of opiates, but itself has severe side effects. Kratom is currently not regulated by the FDA.
Common side effects include:
- Muscle pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weight loss
- Dry mouth
- Liver damage
- Constipation
- High blood pressure
- Trouble breathing
- Confusion
- Seizures
Tianeptine
Tianeptine is a class of drug known as an atypical tricyclic antidepressant. Sold in gas stations and head shops under such “brand” names as “ZaZa” “Tiana” and “Neptune’s Fix”, it often comes in either pill form or liquid elixir. Tianeptine is also called “gas station heroin” because in addition to causing euphoria in large doses, it causes horrible and severe withdrawal symptoms similar to heroin or other opiates.
Merchants carry this product specifically due to its profitability. Once a person experiences the adverse effects from trying to stop use, they will pay anything to get more.
Highly addictive; common side effects of daily use and withdrawal are:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Rapid heartbeat
- Drowsiness
- Abdominal pain
- High blood pressure
- Agitation
Phenibut
Phenibut is a synthetic depressant originally developed in Russia during the 1960s. Like many drugs sold in convenience store settings, Phenibut is not FDA approved or regulated and will not show up on most conventional drug screens. It is often packaged as a “dietary supplement” or “mood enhancer”.
The effect produced is reported to be similar to a benzodiazepine or other central nervous center depressant. It is often mixed with other dangerous chemicals to increase euphoria making it even more harmful.
Some common side effects are:
- Confusion
- Increased heartrate
- Dilated pupils
- Delirium
- Irritability
- Seizures
- High blood pressure
- Muscle spasms
- Slowed breathing
In Summary
As proven by alcohol and in many states THC, just because it is “legal” does not mean that it is safe. There is no way of knowing what exactly one is ingesting when taking these unregulated, unapproved substances.
From the perspective of an addict, all chemicals carry the risk of addiction and even life threatening consequences. If you or anyone you know is currently suffering from addiction please contact us. We can help. Give us a call anytime, day or night – 800-725-0922.
