Mental Health Impact of Synthetic Drugs

Because synthetic drugs are often made with unknown and changing chemical ingredients, the mental health impacts can be serious, leading to anxiety, panic, paranoia, and more. These risks are even higher for young people, whose brains are still developing.

What Are Synthetic Drugs?

Synthetic drugs, sometimes called designer drugs or novel psychoactive substances (NPS), are man-made chemicals that try to mimic the effects of other drugs like cannabis, ecstasy, or LSD. Because they’re constantly changing, they can be unpredictable and dangerous.

For parents, carers, and families, it’s important to have access to clear, reliable information. Below are trusted Australian resources to help you better understand synthetic drugs, their effects, and how to support someone who may be using them.

Some synthetic drugs may sound harmless, even playful, but they can be extremely dangerous. Here are a few examples that parents and carers should know about:

• Meow Meow (Mephedrone): A synthetic stimulant related to cathinones, often compared to ecstasy or cocaine. It can cause hallucinations, paranoia, and severe agitation.
• NBOMe: A highly potent hallucinogen often mistaken for LSD. Can cause intense trips, seizures, and even death in small amounts.
• Flakka (α-PVP): A powerful stimulant known for causing extreme paranoia, aggression, and bizarre behaviour.
• Spice / K2: Synthetic cannabis that can be far more potent than natural cannabis and is linked to psychosis, vomiting, and heart problems.
• Bath Salts: Not the kind for the bathtub, this term refers to synthetic cathinones that can trigger violent outbursts, hallucinations, and suicidal thoughts.
• Plant Food: A vague street name that often refers to synthetic cathinones (similar to “Bath Salts”).
• Monkey Dust: (also known as MDPV): Can cause hallucinations, paranoia, and extreme agitation.
• Gravel: A synthetic stimulant mix, known to cause violent behaviour, confusion, and health complications.

These substances are often sold under misleading or deceptive names and packaging, making it harder to identify what someone is using.

What Are Cathinones?

Cathinones are a class of stimulant drugs chemically related to amphetamines. While naturally found in the khat plant, synthetic versions are made in labs and can have much stronger and more dangerous effects.

The Ever-Changing Landscape of Synthetic Drugs

There are currently over 1,200 known synthetic psychoactive substances circulating globally, and new ones are being developed all the time. These substances are often designed to evade detection and can vary widely in strength, ingredients, and effects.

Because of this, synthetic drugs can be:

• Unpredictable: even a small amount can have intense or dangerous effects.
• Difficult to regulate: they’re often marketed under misleading names or packaging.
• Hard to detect: routine drug tests may not pick them up.

This makes it even more important for parents and carers to stay informed, be alert to changes in behaviour, and know where to go for accurate, up-to-date information.