Designer drugs are synthetic compounds that mimic the effects of other commonly abused drugs. Most designer drugs are chemically similar to other illicit or controlled substances, but have been slightly modified to avoid being classified as illegal. Use of designer drugs has become much more widespread in recent years, raising concerns about the risk to public health and safety. [1][2]
- Designer drugs are synthetically created substances that are made to imitate the effects of other commonly abused prescribed and illicit drugs.
- While some designer drugs are illegal, many can be easily and legally purchased online and are becoming more widely abused.
- There are many health risks associated with the use of designer drugs, including serious side effects, addiction, poisoning, and overdose.
Understanding designer drugs
Designer drugs, also known as new psychoactive substances (NPS) or research chemicals, are synthetic substances designed to mimic the effects of controlled drugs, including opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, cannabinoids, and hallucinogens. Many are chemical analogs of existing drugs with slightly altered chemical structures designed to produce similar psychoactive effects while creating a distinct compound. [2]
Many designer drugs are developed by modifying the chemical structure of an existing substance to circumvent drug laws and regulations. Because manufacturers continually introduce new formulations, these substances can be difficult for public health agencies, lawmakers, and forensic laboratories to identify, monitor, and regulate. [2][3]
Designer drugs are commonly distributed through online vendors and may be labeled "not intended for human consumption” to avoid liability and regulation. Sometimes, these drugs are purchased and resold on the illegal drug market as counterfeits, making it possible that some people are unknowingly exposed.
The use of designer drugs has increased in many parts of the world, particularly in North America and Europe, and represents a growing public health concern. Reports of poisonings, emergency department visits, severe adverse reactions, overdose, and death have been linked to the use of these substances. [2]
One of the greatest dangers associated with designer drugs is their unpredictability. Users may be unaware of the exact ingredients, potency, or contaminants present in a product, increasing the risk of serious health consequences. [3]
Hundreds of new psychoactive substances are currently being monitored internationally by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). While some have been added to national or international schedules of controlled substances, others remain legal in certain jurisdictions or emerge more quickly than regulatory systems can respond. As the landscape of designer drugs continues to evolve, ongoing surveillance, public education, and research remain essential to reducing the harms associated with their use. [1]
Are designer drugs the same as research chemicals?
Designer drugs are also sometimes called research chemicals and may be sold online by companies that appear to market to labs or universities for research purposes. While there are some legitimate vendors of research chemicals, most are selling products directly to consumers who plan to use them recreationally.
The landscape of online retailers selling research chemicals is constantly shifting and changing. For example, a 2019 study of popular online vendors found that 25% of the sites went inactive during a six-month time period. During this time, the available inventory of research chemicals being sold on the sites included in the study also changed, with a number of newly formulated drugs becoming available to purchase. [4]
While designer drugs commonly use the term ‘research chemical’ to avoid regulation, there are some designer drugs which can be purchased online, despite the fact that they are considered controlled substances. These include commonly abused prescription drugs like diazepam, alprazolam, codeine, ketamine, and modafinil. [4]
How designer drugs are produced
Designer drugs are often produced in unregulated labs that specialize in formulating or creating new chemical compounds that are similar to existing drugs of abuse. Many designer drugs are replicas or analogs of existing pharmaceutical or illicit drugs, but may be slightly altered, combined, or cut with other chemicals or filler agents.
Because many labs that make and sell designer drugs are clandestine, there are serious concerns about the quality, safety, and production processes used. This can result in a number of product inconsistencies and impurities that place consumers at increased risk for adverse effects. [2][3]
Historically, most designer drugs and research chemicals have been produced in countries like China and India, which have fewer and less restrictive production standards. Today, there are a number of other regions that are producing designer drugs, which may also be imported to other countries before being sold to consumers.
Types of designer drugs
There are several different types of designer drugs that are sold online, including synthetically compounded cannabinoids, opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, sedatives, and hallucinogens. Within each of these categories, there are several different formulations and compounds, with new analogs created all the time. [2][3][4]
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are some of the most popular types of designer drugs, according to a study conducted in 2019. [4] Synthetic cannabinoids are commonly sold online, as well as in some brick-and-mortar retail locations, including head shops or vape shops. Synthetic cannabinoids mimic the effects of THC by binding to cannabinoid receptors in the brain. Common types of synthetic cannabinoids are sold online under names like ‘K2’, ‘Spice’, ‘Mojo’, ‘Scooby Snax’ and ‘Black Mamba’.
Stimulants
Stimulants are also some of the most popular and commonly purchased types of designer drugs. [4] These include synthetic cathinones (‘bath salts’), pharmaceutical analogs of popular ADHD drugs like Adderall, and analogs that produce similar effects as cocaine, methamphetamines, and MDMA. These drugs boost mood, energy, and euphoria by raising brain levels of the chemical messengers dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin. They do this by interfering with the transporters that normally clear these chemicals away — either blocking that cleanup or forcing extra amounts to be released. [3]
Benzodiazepines
Designer benzodiazepines are another commonly abused type of designer drug that has become more popular in recent years. These include analogs of popular pharmaceuticals like diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and clonazepam (Klonopin). These medications work by activating GABA receptors in the brain, which act to slow the activity of the central nervous system (CNS) to induce relaxing and sedating effects. Some designer benzodiazepines are formulated to be much stronger than existing benzodiazepines, carrying a high risk for abuse, addiction, overdose, and dangerous withdrawal symptoms. [3][4]
Opioids
Synthetic opioid drugs are also sold online as a type of designer drug, research chemical, or NPS. These include analogs of the powerful opioid fentanyl and have similar sedating, analgesic, and intoxicating effects. These drugs work on opioid receptors in the brain, similar to other opiate and opioid drugs. Many designer opioids are formulated to be even more potent and long-acting than existing drugs, and carry a high risk for abuse, addiction, and accidental overdose. [1][3][4]
Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens are another type of designer drug that some people purchase online for recreational abuse. These include analogs of LSD, psilocybin, ketamine, and mescaline, which act on serotonin receptors to cause hallucinations and altered perception. A separate group known as dissociatives — such as ketamine analogs — instead block NMDA receptors, producing a sense of detachment from the body and surroundings. [1][3]
Risks of using designer drugs
There are many risks associated with the use of designer drugs, and most stem from the inability of consumers to verify the ingredients, quality, and dose of the products they have purchased. Because designer drugs are largely unregulated, there are no regulatory or quality assurance standards that are required to make sure the products being produced are safe to consume.
Here are some of the risks associated with using unregulated designer drugs: [2][3]
- Unknown or incorrectly labeled ingredients.
- Unknown potency or dosing guidelines.
- Presence of harmful fillers or additives.
- Poisoning related to harmful or toxic chemicals.
- Inconsistent dosages and risk of accidental overdose.
- Unknown interactions with other medications or substances.
- Lack of information on common side effects.
- Limited research on long-term risks and dangers.
- Unpredictable effects.
- Unreliable or unresponsive vendors.
- Lack of safety or quality assurance.
Depending on the type of designer drug used, there may be additional risks related to the specific effects of the substance being used. For example, people using CNS depressants like benzodiazepines and opioids are at increased risk for respiratory depression, while those abusing synthetic stimulants are at higher risk for cardiac problems. While it’s possible to make educated guesses about the types of risks and dangers associated with a certain type of NPS, most have been poorly studied, meaning their risks aren’t fully understood. [3]
Are designer drugs illegal?
The legal status of designer drugs varies widely depending on the specific substance and the country, state, or jurisdiction a person lives in. While some designer drugs have been classified as controlled substances at the national or international level, others aren’t specifically regulated. The rapidly changing nature of the designer drug market presents a significant challenge for regulatory agencies, as new compounds are introduced faster than many legal systems can respond. [2][3]
In many countries, general laws have been passed to address emerging designer drugs. These laws may outlaw substances that are chemically similar to already controlled or illegal substances, even if the specific compound isn’t regulated. While this means that new designer drugs may be illegal in a certain region, there are still challenges to enforcing these laws. One challenge is that many designer drugs require expensive lab analysis and testing to identify, and many contain a number of different chemicals. [1][2]
Even in places without general laws prohibiting designer drugs, the legal status of a substance can change quickly as governments identify new public health risks and update drug regulations. Unfortunately, many designer drugs only become outlawed after there have been widespread reports of poisonings, overdoses, fatalities, or other serious adverse effects.
Because drug laws are frequently updated and vary substantially between jurisdictions, individuals should consult current federal, national, state, and local regulations when seeking information about a specific substance. What may be legal in one jurisdiction could be prohibited in another, and legal classifications can change quickly.
Designer drug addiction and treatment
Many designer drugs are addictive in nature, and some may even be more addictive than the illicit or controlled substances they are designed to imitate. Depending on the type of designer drug being used, addictions may form gradually or rapidly, and may involve physical dependence, psychological dependence, or both. If you are struggling with an addiction to designer drugs, professional treatments can help.
The best way to begin the process of treatment is to schedule a substance abuse evaluation, which is conducted by a licensed professional who specializes in addiction. During this appointment, you can receive individualized recommendations for options best suited for your treatment goals, preferences, and needs.
