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Piperazines

Piperazines
Aka: A2, Blast, Bolts Extra Strength, BZP, Cosmic Kelly, ESP, Euphoria, Exodus, Fast Lane, Frenzy, Happy Pills, Legal E, Legal X, Nemesis, Party Pills, pep, Pep Love, Pep Stoned, Pep Twisted, Rapture, Silver Bullet, Smiley’s, The Good Stuff.

The Drug

The Effects

The Risks

The Law

The Drug
Overview Appearance Use
Overview

What are piperazines? Piperazines are a broad class of chemical compounds which mimic the effects of ecstasy. They were produced as a legal alternative to ecstasy (though have since been classified as Class C drugs) and have been found as a cutting agent in some ecstasy pills. The best known piperazines are BZP (benzylpiperazine), TFMPP, DBZP and mCPP.

The key effects and risks of piperazines include:

  • Feelings of arousal, euphoria, wakefulness and wellbeing
  • Agitation, vomiting, stomach pain, fits, irregular heart rhythms, diarrhoea, allergic reactions and fever have been reported.
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Appearance

Piperazines can come in various forms and shapes. Pills can be red, blue, pink, white, off-white, purple, orange, tan, and mottled orange-brown and cost £5-10. They can carry an impression such as a housefly, crown, heart, butterfly, smiley face, bull's head, autobot, bird flying, Mickey Mouse, five pointed star, Superman and a witches hat.

Piperazines are also sold as an off-white powder, in capsules and as a liquid.

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Use

Piperazines are used in industry to make plastics, resins, pesticides, brake fluid and a variety of materials and products. Piperazine itself is used as a worming agent for pets and farm animals.

BZP was originally evaluated as an anti-depressant drug. Now it is found mainly  as a substitute for MDMA.

The Effects

 

What are the effects of piperazines?

The stimulant effects of piperazines are similar to MDMA (ecstasy) but dose for dose they are not as potent. Effects can last for 6 – 8 hours and include:

 

  • Feelings of euphoria, of being alert, alive and full of energy
  • Decreased appetite and sleeplessness
The Risks
What are the risks? Impurities Getting hooked
What are the risks?

 

What are the risks of piperazines?

Taking piperazines does involve risks. Here’s what they could do to you.

  • Users often suffer a hangover-like reaction that can last for up to 24 hours.
  • Agitation, vomiting, stomach pain, fits, irregular heart rhythms, diarrhoea, allergic reactions and fever have been reported.

 

  • As stimulant drugs, piperazines are particularly risky if taken by anyone suffering from high blood pressure or a heart condition. And you may not know that you have a pre existing heart condition.
  • Perfectly healthy young people can have a fit or heart attack after taking stimulant drugs.
  • In rare cases users may suffer from ‘serotonin syndrome’. It can cause high blood pressure and may be fatal

 

Piperazines and alcohol

Mixing piperazines with alcohol can be particularly dangerous – the effects of these two substances interact, and you may also be less in control, making use much riskier.

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Impurities

 

Impurities

The chemical composition of substances sold as piperazines are changing all the time which is why you can never be sure what you're getting and how it could effect you.

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Getting hooked

Can you get addicted to piperazines?
Early studies suggest that you can become dependent. It is very similar to amphetamine use, i.e. taking speed.

The Law

 

Piperazines and the law

Piperazines are Class C drugs which means that they’re illegal to have for yourself, give away or sell.

Possession can get you up to two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.

Supplying someone else, even your friends, can get you 14 years in jail and/or an unlimited fine.

 

What if you’re caught?

If the Police catch you with piperazines, they’ll always take some action. This could include a formal caution, arrest and prosecution.

  • A conviction for a drug-related offence could have a serious impact. It can stop you visiting certain countries – for example the United States – and limit the types of jobs you can apply for.

 

Did you know?

  • Like drinking and driving, driving while impaired by piperazines is illegal – you can get a heavy fine, be disqualified from driving or even go to prison. 

Allowing other people to use piperazines in your house or any other premises is illegal. If the police catch someone using piperazines in a club they can prosecute the landlord, club owner or person holding the party.

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