Synthetic cathinones

Taking synthetic cathinones does involve risks, which are similar to other stimulants. Here’s what they could do to you:

• Make your heart beat faster and increase your blood pressure which could damage the heart.
• Over-stimulate the nervous system and cause fits (seizures).
• Anyone with a heart condition, blood pressure problems, epilepsy or asthma can have a very dangerous reaction to a synthetic cathinone.
• Synthetic cathinones can change the body's temperature. Dancing for long periods in a hot atmosphere, like a club, increase the chance of overheating and dehydration. Users should take regular breaks from the dance floor to cool down and watch out for any mates who are on it – as they might not realise they're in danger of overheating or getting dehydrated. In extreme cases, this could even cause death.
• Drinking too much (including water) can also be dangerous. This is because synthetic cathinones, similar to ecstasy, might stop your body making urine. If you drink too quickly you might affect the amount of salt in your body, which can be as deadly as not drinking enough water.
• Some synthetic cathinones, such as those found in monkey dust, can cause you to be aggressive or violent and behave unpredictably.
• Because the effects are so unpredictable, if you do decide to take synthetic cathinones, you should start by taking a small dose and wait for the effects to kick in before taking any more – you may find that the first dose is enough.
• Injecting synthetic cathinones, or sharing injecting equipment, can spread blood-borne viruses, such as HIV or hepatitis C. There is also the risk that veins may be damaged and an infection or clot may develop. Injecting drugs is generally a more dangerous way to take drugs and might cause you to overdose.

• They can make you anxious and paranoid and in rare cases can make you have hallucinations.
• You may feel low or depressed after using synthetic cathinones.

As with all drugs you can never be sure of what you’re buying and what might be in the drug. Sometimes one synthetic cathinone is mixed with another synthetic cathinone and/or caffeine. Synthetic cathinones may also be added with other drugs like MDMA (sold as ecstasy pills) or cocaine so you may not know that you are taking them.

• This is a Class B drug, which means it’s illegal to have for yourself, give away or sell.

• Possession can get you up to 5 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.

• Supplying someone else, even your friends, can get you up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.