For many, flakka, also known as the bath salts drug, made its way into the public consciousness with an explosion of gore when news reports started to mention it in relation to Rudy Eugene, posthumously dubbed the “face chewer” and “Miami zombie.” An 18-minute video showing his brutal attack of a homeless man that ended with a fatal shot from a Miami police officer pushed synthetic drugs into the limelight in 2012. At the time, authorities reported that his radical and violent behavior might be attributed to a new street drug: bath salts.
But as quickly as its prominence rose, it fell. While flakka reached peak popularity between 2013 and 2016, it’s almost disappeared today. In fact, most public health organizations collect no statistical data surrounding flakka or other bath salt drugs. These drugs do remain a concern for public health officials and treatment providers because when bath salts and other synthetics become popular, the result is often increasing numbers of overdose deaths. Understanding where flakka came from, how it’s used and what makes it so dangerous can help prevent its spread and keep its use virtually nonexistent.
What Is Flakka?
Flakka (sometimes called flocka drug in slang) is the street name for alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP), a synthetic cathinone. When researching bath salts and flakka, other names such as glass cleaner or gravel come up, but references to “scopohyoscpnol” are often a mistake. Some online posters likely conflated the names of drugs like scopolamine and hyoscine, resulting in a name that doesn’t reference any known drug.
Synthetic cathinones are derived from the khat plant but are designed to be chemically different enough to slip through current laws. Flakka falls into the broader group of substances often referred to as bath salts drugs, but it’s not related to Epsom salts or relaxing in the tub. Bath salts is a street name used to help avoid law enforcement efforts. Some other names include research chemicals, plant food and glass cleaner, according to the DEA.
Flakka is typically a pink or white crystal that can be smoked, snorted, injected or swallowed. Smoking or vaping bath salts is particularly dangerous because these drugs already have rapid onset and intense effects that are made more powerful by these delivery mechanisms. Even small doses can trigger extreme stimulation and unpredictable behavior.
The Rise of Bath Salts and Flakka
Synthetic cathinones first appeared in the United States in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Sold in convenience stores, head shops and online, they were often labeled “not for human consumption” to skirt drug laws. Compounds like mephedrone, methylone and MDPV were part of the first wave of bath salts drug reports.
Flakka emerged as a standout seller due to its low price and intense, cocaine-like high. At only $5 per dose, it was a much cheaper alternative upper. At the same time, a flood of media coverage painted flakka as a “zombie drug,” with reports of bizarre, violent or delirious behavior, sometimes accompanied by paranoia and hallucinations.
While some of these viral stories exaggerated the drug’s effects, the dangers were real. Flakka’s chemical structure makes it a powerful reuptake inhibitor of dopamine and norepinephrine. This can lead to hyperstimulation, elevated body temperature, heart problems and severe mental disturbances.
Why Flakka Became Notorious
Several factors combined to make bath salts a household name in the mid-2010s. Ultimately, it never became the problem that heroin and cocaine did, but it did get lots of news coverage during that time, likely because it was:
- Unpredictable. News footage of people allegedly under the influence of flakka showed them acting erratically, sometimes displaying extreme strength or paranoia.
- Cheap. At $5 a dose, the price drew in users who couldn’t afford more expensive options like cocaine or methamphetamine.
- Strong. Even tiny doses trigger intense effects, making it more desirable for those seeking a cheap pick-me-up.
- Easy to make and ship. Being easy to transport and manufacture, flakka moved quickly through the states, shipping in from China to California for the first time in 2012 and less than a year later becoming the epicenter of an outbreak in Broward County, FL.
Law enforcement crackdowns and scheduling of synthetic cathinones under the Controlled Substances Act helped reduce the drug’s visibility in the United States, but it hasn’t disappeared.
How Accessible Is Flakka Today?
While flakka’s peak notoriety was several years ago, it’s still around. The U.S. laws have shut down legal sales, no matter what the packaging says, but illegal sales continue. Manufacturers constantly tweak the chemical formulas to create new variants not currently covered by the law. This cat-and-mouse game makes total elimination difficult.
In the United States, flakka use has decreased compared to its height in 2015, when it was the second-most seized “bath salt.” In 2015, DEA officials reported 15,000 seizures of flakka, but just 2 years later in 2017, they had dropped to 1,000. Although it’s more rarely used, flakka is still available on the streets.
Short- and Long-Term Health Risks
The risks of flakka use are both immediate and lasting. When first taking a bath salts drug, hyperthermia, excited delirium, aggressive and violent behavior and cardiovascular symptoms are all potential risks. Paranoia and hallucinations are just the start, and overdose deaths are unfortunately common. Continued use can come with the risk of psychosis, cognitive impairment (similar to what you might get after a brain injury), addiction and damage to major organs.
Consequences of Using Bath Salts
While the health risks from using any bath salts drug are significant, the possible consequences don’t end there. Possession, distribution or manufacture of flakka is illegal in the United States and comes with severe penalties.
Even without police action, any medical emergency can also lead to escalating situations. Because users are often unpredictable and violent, first responders may need to restrain individuals, increasing the risk of injury to both themselves and the flakka user.
Signs of Flakka Use
If you think a loved one may be experimenting with a bath salts drug, keep on the lookout for warning signs. If they suddenly display bouts of aggression or bursts of energy, particularly when combined with profuse sweating, that could indicate synthetic drug use. Other signs might include erratic speech, muscle tremors or paranoia.
The earlier someone gets help, the less time the flakka has to do lasting damage.
Treatment and Recovery
Treatment for flakka use typically involves both medical and mental health support. Medical stabilization is often the first step as flakka can cause changes to body temperature and heart rate while also causing dehydration. A medical detox is often recommended to help deal with the withdrawal symptoms. After the patient is stable, ongoing treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy and support groups can be an important part of staying sober.
Getting Help for Flakka Addiction
If you or someone you care about is struggling with flakka or any synthetic drug, the National Rehab Hotline can connect you with confidential, compassionate support. Trained specialists can guide you toward treatment options, answer questions about detox and recovery and provide a lifeline during moments of crisis.