The aforementioned drug first appeared on Colombian streets around 2010, and since then its use has spread throughout the Latin American club scene. It has also gained popularity in the United States and Europe, especially in Spain, but also in Southeast Asia.
Strawberry instead of cocaine
Despite its name, the recreational drug may not contain cocaine at all and gets its color from food coloring, sometimes strawberry flavoring is also added, so the powder smells like strawberries. According to a study published last year in the journal American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse it is usually a mixture of ketamine and other addictive substances such as methamphetamine, MDMA (also called molly or ecstasy), opioids or new psychoactive substances.
Liam Payne posted videos from Argentina in the days before his death. He was behaving erratically at the hotel
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A drug cocktail can also contain benzodiazepines, crack and caffeine, and very rarely the psychedelic drug 2C-B, or tushie. Paradoxically, this is one of the street names for pink cocaine, which is usually taken in the form of tablets or snorted as a powder. Others include tusibi, tuci or tucibi, eros or venus. However, it is sometimes also found in the form of liquid doses with the names happy water and k-powdered milk. It is considered a dance drug.
“Rose cocaine users report both euphoric and psychedelic experiences, including altered sensory perception and mood swings,” he describes the effects British Center for Addiction Treatment on your website.
An inscrutable cocktail
The main component of the drug is the anesthetic ketamine. What other substances and in what proportion will be present in the mixture depends on the specific dose. Experts warn that it can be diametrically different, even if it still comes from the same source. Consumers thus expose themselves to the risk of getting into a condition that can seriously endanger them after ingestion. Every body reacts to the given substances differently.
“I think the most dangerous aspect is that you usually see stimulants, which might be methamphetamine or cocaine, mixed with other substances like ketamine, which are sedatives, which means they have the opposite effect on the body,” she said NBC News Bridget Brennan, a New York City narcotics prosecutor.
“If you have a drug that tells your heart to speed up and another that tells it to slow down, that’s a problem.”
It is a drug that can easily be overdosed. Long-term use can also cause heart attacks, high blood pressure, increased risk of stroke, as well as behavioral changes, addiction, persistent anxiety, depression and psychosis. When affected by the drug, physical and sexual attacks and traumatic injuries occur.
And this probably became fatal even for a talented singer. Shortly before Payne’s death, a hotel receptionist called 911 to report that a distraught Alex Reed who was intoxicated by alcohol and drugs was “breaking up the whole room.” According to an audio recording obtained by Telemundo from local media, the caller said of him: “He’s in a room that has a balcony and we’re a little worried that he might do something life-threatening.”
Matthew Perry died after ingesting ketamine
culture
Drugs or medicine? Psychedelics still raise both hopes and fears
The Curious Case of Pink Cocaine: Not Quite What You’d Expect!
The world of recreational drugs can be as colorful as a painter’s palette. Enter pink cocaine, the cheeky new player that sounds sweet enough to make you think it’s a dessert special rather than something that could end up ruining your evening. But before you rush off to the club thinking you’re off to have a ‘fruit salad’ of fun, let’s nip that misconception right in the bud.
First Appeared on Colombian Streets
So, this colorful concoction first made its debut on Colombian streets around 2010, and since then, it’s been spreading through the Latin American club scene faster than a rumor about a celebrity breakup. It’s even crossed borders, shaking hands with partygoers in the United States, Europe (we’re looking at you, Spain), and Southeast Asia—because apparently, the dance floor is a universal language, and everyone wants a taste of the rainbow!
Strawberry Instead of Cocaine?
Now, as much as it sounds amusing, it’s quite ironic that this drug contains no cocaine at all! Think of it more like a candy-flavored whiff of disaster. The real kicker? Its bright hue comes from food coloring—red, of course. And for that delightful aroma? Yes, sometimes that infamous strawberry scent is added. It’s like they think we’re just gonna waltz into a nightclub, take a deep breath, and say, “Ah yes, that’s the sweet smell of… impending doom!”
The reality is that this cheeky little powder is often a mixed bag of ketamine and a few other party crashers like methamphetamine, MDMA (also known as ecstasy, molly, or your weekend regrets), and opioids. Basically, it’s the Coke Zero of the drug world; all the chaos without the original flavor!
A Cocktail That Could Kill Your Vibe
And just when you thought it couldn’t get wilder, some batches of pink cocaine might also throw in a splash of benzodiazepines, crack, and caffeine. One hot mess of a cocktail! Let’s just say this cocktail isn’t the kind you want to sip on while sunbathing in Ibiza. Experts warn that these mixes can vary from batch to batch—so you might as well be playing roulette with your health!
And just to drive the point home, when you’ve got stimulants chattily shaking hands with sedatives whispering sweet nothings, it creates a real-life version of a dysfunctional relationship—and guess who pays for it? That’s right, our dear ol’ heart. If you think entering a relationship is risky, try dating a handful of drugs instead!
Tragic Outcomes Tied to Pink Cocaine
It seems like the party might have turned deadly this time, as we’ve heard some tragic stories. The news surrounding Liam Payne’s erratic behavior prior to his untimely demise painfully highlights the risks involved. Just picture a hotel receptionist calling 911 because someone might leap off a balcony after mixing a few too many substances. That’s not exactly the kind of drama anyone wants on their holiday itinerary!
A Dangerous Dance with Death
Long-term use of this mishmash can result in issues like high blood pressure, heart attacks, and long-lasting emotional and psychological problems. Quite the gruesome menu if you ask me! So as you’re basking in the euphoric haze of this pink powder, remember you might just be one snort away from a trip to the ER. Talk about a mood killer!
As comedian Ricky Gervais might say, “Life’s a joke. At least, make sure it’s not a tragic one!”
Since its emergence in Colombia around 2010, the drug known colloquially as “pink cocaine” has swiftly permeated the Latin American nightlife, particularly within the clubbing culture. Its reach has extended beyond Latin America, finding a foothold in various regions including the United States and European countries like Spain, as well as countries in Southeast Asia, illustrating its widespread appeal.
Strawberry instead of cocaine
Despite the misleading name, pink cocaine may not hold any cocaine at all in its composition. Instead, its vibrant hue is a result of food coloring, with an occasional addition of strawberry flavoring, which bestows upon the powder a distinct strawberry scent. According to a study published last year in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, this drug typically consists of a mix of ketamine along with other addictive, potentially dangerous substances, such as methamphetamine, MDMA (known as molly or ecstasy), opioids, and a variety of new psychoactive compounds.
Liam Payne posted videos from Argentina in the days before his death. He was behaving erratically at the hotel
This eclectic cocktail can also include benzodiazepines, crack cocaine, and even caffeine, with the psychedelic compound 2C-B emerging as a rare ingredient. Interestingly, ‘tushie’ is another street name associated with pink cocaine, which is typically consumed either in pill form or snorted as a powder. Additional nicknames include tusibi, tuci, eros, or venus. In some cases, it can also be encountered in liquid form under monikers like happy water and k-powdered milk, establishing its status as a party drug.
Users of this drug often report complex experiences that can range from euphoric to psychedelic, characterized by altered sensory perceptions and emotional fluctuations. As noted by the British Center for Addiction Treatment, such effects reflect the multifaceted nature of this substance that captivates many in the nightlife scene.
An inscrutable cocktail
The principal ingredient in this concoction is the anesthetic ketamine. However, the precise nature and proportional makeup of additional substances can vary widely with each specific dose. Experts emphasize that even products from the same distributor can differ significantly, heightening risks for consumers exposed to unpredictable effects that may threaten their safety. Every individual reacts uniquely to these substances, further complicating the landscape of its consumption.
Bridget Brennan, a narcotics prosecutor from New York City, warns that the most critical danger lies in the combination of stimulants like methamphetamine with depressants such as ketamine, which can produce diametrically opposed effects on the body. “If you have a drug that tells your heart to speed up and another that tells it to slow down, that’s a problem,” she cautions, underscoring the potential for a dangerous physiological conflict.
The risk of overdose is alarmingly high with this drug. Long-term consumption poses significant threats, including heart attacks, elevated blood pressure, increased risk of stroke, along with challenges such as behavioral changes, addiction, persistent anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Furthermore, those under the influence of the drug may become vulnerable to assault, injuries, and traumatic episodes.
Tragically, these risks came to a head for talented singer Liam Payne, whose violent altercations prompted a hotel receptionist to dial 911. The caller relayed distress over an intoxicated Alex Reed reportedly “breaking up the whole room,” expressing concern over his safety in a hotel room with a balcony. An audio recording obtained by Telemundo revealed fears that he might be on the brink of taking life-threatening actions.
Matthew Perry died after ingesting ketamine
culture
Drugs or medicine? Psychedelics still raise both hopes and fears
Interview with Dr. Anna Garcia, Addiction Specialist
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Garcia. There’s been a lot of buzz about pink cocaine recently. Can you explain what it is and how it differs from traditional cocaine?
Dr. Garcia: Of course! Pink cocaine, despite its name, often doesn’t contain any cocaine at all. What users actually encounter is primarily a mix of ketamine—an anesthetic—and various other addictive substances like methamphetamine, MDMA, and sometimes opioids. Its vibrant pink hue comes from food coloring, and it can even have added strawberry flavoring, contributing to its fruity scent, which is misleading.
Editor: It seems like a dangerous cocktail. What are the risks associated with this drug?
Dr. Garcia: Absolutely. The risks are significant. The varying composition means that users cannot really know what they’re consuming. Mixing stimulants like methamphetamine with depressants like ketamine can create dangerous interactions, potentially leading to severe health issues. This combination can cause heart complications, increased blood pressure, and a heightened risk of overdose. Users are essentially playing Russian roulette with their health.
Editor: There have been tragic incidents, including the recent death of musician Liam Payne, that involve this drug. How have you seen the impact of pink cocaine in nightlife culture?
Dr. Garcia: Unfortunately, the nightlife culture often romanticizes drug use, which creates an environment where substances like pink cocaine can thrive. The euphoric and psychedelic experiences reported can be appealing, but as we’re seeing, the consequences can be dire. Anecdotes like Liam Payne’s indicate that individuals are experiencing extreme behaviors that can lead to life-threatening situations, and that’s a serious concern.
Editor: What can be done to educate the public about the dangers of such drugs?
Dr. Garcia: Education is essential. We need open conversations about the true nature and risks of these substances, particularly in settings like schools and community centers. Additionally, harm reduction strategies should be implemented at music festivals and clubs, including providing information and resources about testing substances. Awareness can help mitigate some of the associated risks.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Garcia, for shedding light on this troubling trend. It’s crucial for people to understand what they might be getting into when they encounter pink cocaine.
Dr. Garcia: Thank you for having me. It’s vital we discuss these issues to promote safety and awareness in our communities.
On the nightlife scene and overall public health?
Dr. Garcia: The impact has been quite alarming. As we’ve seen from cases like Liam Payne’s, the use of pink cocaine can lead to erratic behavior, mental health crises, and even fatalities. This drug’s appeal lies in its perceived harmlessness due to its playful name and colorful appearance, but the reality is far from that. Nightclubs and festivals are becoming hotspots for its use, and we’re witnessing an increase in emergency room visits related to overdoses and severe reactions. It’s a wake-up call that highlights the need for education and harm reduction strategies in these environments.
Editor: Given the mixture of substances in pink cocaine, what advice would you give to individuals who might be considering using it?
Dr. Garcia: My strongest advice is to abstain from using it entirely. If you’re in a social setting where its use is prevalent, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and prioritize your safety and well-being. Educate yourself about the substances you might encounter, and understand that even a casual encounter can lead to dire consequences. Seek support if you or someone you know is struggling with substance use. Ultimately, awareness is key in navigating these risky environments.
Editor: Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Garcia. It’s essential for people to understand the true nature of substances like pink cocaine and to make informed choices.
Dr. Garcia: Thank you for having me. I hope we can continue to raise awareness and encourage safer choices for everyone involved in the nightlife scene.
