Anonymously released information regarding Liam Payne’s toxicology report suggests that the singer had various drugs in his system at the time of his death, including designer drug pink cocaine. This notorious party drug often contains a cocktail of several substances, which can differ significantly from batch to batch.
What is pink cocaine?
Pink cocaine is a substance used mostly as a party drug. It is often pink, making it distinctive from other types of cocaine or substances, although it tends not to actually contain any cocaine. It is typically sold as a powder or pill which is snorted or ingested. [1]
Pink cocaine has been found to contain several drugs and different samples can contain varying amounts of each substance. It often contains both a stimulant and a sedative and occasionally a psychedelic substance. [2]
Substances that are commonly found in samples of pink cocaine include: [1][2][3]
- MDMA (ecstasy): MDMA is a stimulant drug with hallucinogenic properties, often used as a party drug, producing euphoria and sensory changes.
- Ketamine: Ketamine is a sedative substance used in veterinary medicine that can produce hallucinogenic effects.
- 2-CB: 2-CB is a designer drug that causes both hallucinogenic and stimulant effects.
- Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine is a potent stimulant that is highly addictive and creates intense effects.
- Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines are a commonly prescribed and abused medication with sedative and anti-anxiety effects and a high potential for addiction.
- Caffeine: Caffeine is a commonly used stimulant, often consumed in coffee and energy drinks.
Pink cocaine might also sometimes contain other drugs, such as fentanyl, which is associated with severe effects and overdose. Due to the varying contents of pink cocaine, people using the drug can experience unexpected adverse effects which can be severe or even life-threatening.
Is pink cocaine the same as Tuci (2C)?
Pink cocaine is known by many street names, including tuci, tucibi, pink powder, and cocaine rosada. The name tuci, or 2C, is used because pink cocaine was known primarily to contain 2C-B. However, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) states that 2C-B is now rarely found in pink cocaine as it has become more difficult to obtain. Now, pink cocaine is made of a mixture of drugs and is dyed pink with food coloring or flavoring. [2]
2C drugs, including 2C-B, are synthetic drugs with a phenethylamine base. They are structurally similar to amphetamines and MDMA and can cause stimulant and psychedelic effects. 2C-B can be sold as pink pills and has also been seen as red, purple, or off-white pills, and yellow or blue capsules. [4][5]
Why is pink cocaine in the news?
Liam Payne, singer and former member of One Direction, died on October 16, 2024, after falling three floors from his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina. [3]
ABC News reported that anonymous Argentinian sources shared results from the toxicology reports, which indicate that Payne had many drugs in his system at the time of his death, including pink cocaine. These sources state that the autopsy found evidence of pink cocaine, containing ketamine, MDMA, and methamphetamine, as well as traces of crack cocaine and benzodiazepines.
Payne had previously spoken in the media about his struggles with alcohol and mental health issues. He reportedly spent 100 days in rehab in 2023, later filming a video in which he spoke about his experiences and said he had been sober for almost six months.
Drug and alcohol addiction can impact anyone and can be caused by various genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors. It can have serious consequences and negative effects on a person’s life and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you may wish to seek professional advice and treatment.
What does the drug do?
The effects of pink cocaine can vary depending on the type of drugs it contains and in what quantities, as well as the amount taken. It can produce sedative, stimulant, and psychedelic effects.
Common effects of pink cocaine include: [1][6]
- Euphoria
- Talkativeness
- Psychedelic effects such as changes in sensory perceptions
- Hallucinations
- Anxiety
- High temperature
- Nausea and vomiting
- Changes in heart rate and blood pressure
Where does pink cocaine come from?
Pink cocaine is thought to have originated in Colombia in 2010, where it became popular in city clubs. It has since been found to be used in many places in Latin America and distributed across the US and worldwide. [6][7]
What are the risks of pink cocaine?
There are many risks associated with pink cocaine, including serious adverse effects, overdose, addiction, and risk of harm.
Adverse effects
Potentially serious effects can include: [1][6]
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Heart irregularities
- Psychotic symptoms, including paranoia and hallucinations
Risks of long-term use can include: [1]
- Heart issues
- Increased risk of stroke or heart attack
- Extreme changes in mood and behavior, including depression, anxiety, and psychosis
Overdose
Because of the mixed content and variable drug quantities, people who use pink cocaine may be at significant risk of overdose. This might include symptoms such as: [6]
- Hallucinations
- Fever
- Severe agitation
- High blood pressure
- Seizures
- Heart failure
- Respiratory depression
Addiction
Pink cocaine use may lead to dependence and addiction, particularly if it is used regularly.
Unknown effects
Because the contents of pink cocaine can vary significantly between samples, people who use the drug cannot know the type or quantity of each drug contained in the substance, making it more difficult to calculate doses safely and increasing the risk of overdose. [2]
This also means that people cannot anticipate the type or degree of effects they will experience. Some people may take it believing it to be 2C-B, unaware that it likely contains large quantities of ketamine or other sedative substances. [2]
Vulnerability
When under the influence of pink cocaine, people may be at increased risk of physical or sexual assault, or accidental or intentional injury. [1]
Pink cocaine FAQs
Is pink cocaine legal?
Pink cocaine is not legal and is unregulated as it is not a defined or specific substance. It often contains a mixture of substances, some of which are illegal and regulated, including MDMA and methamphetamine. It often contains ketamine, which is legal when used in veterinary medicine, but not as a recreational drug for human use. [1][2]
2C-B, previously the primary ingredient in pink cocaine, was legal until 1995 when it was added to the Controlled Substances Act as a Schedule I substance. [5]
How is pink cocaine made?
Pink cocaine is a synthetic drug, made by combining various substances and chemical compounds.
How is pink cocaine different from normal cocaine?
Normal cocaine is a stimulant drug, often sold as a white powder, while pink cocaine contains several substances and can produce stimulant, depressant, and hallucinogenic effects. Pink cocaine typically does not contain cocaine and is often sold as a pink pill or powder.
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