Pink cocaine is a drug that has a fairly recent history but has become more widespread in the news recently.

Because of its rising prevalence, it’s essential to know the risks of pink cocaine, the effect it has on your body and brain and how addictive it can be. Find out more in this article.

 

What is Pink Cocaine?

Despite its name, the pink cocaine drug is not actually cocaine. It is a synthetic drug that often contains a hallucinogenic and stimulant compound, 2-CB. The drug was created in the 1970s for psychotherapeutic use before becoming a banned substance in the 1990s.

It has become more well-known since around 2010, when South American drug cartels began using and selling it – making its way over to Europe. Now, pink cocaine is a known party drug used recreationally around the world.

Pink cocaine now more likely contains a mix of ketamine, MDMA, benzodiazepines and other unknown substances. The drug gets its street name due to its powdery form and colour – the result of food colouring being put in it.

 

How Does Pink Cocaine Affect the Body and Mind?

Pink cocaine effects can be hard to pin down due to not knowing what is in the drug. As it has stimulant properties, you can expect it to produce feelings of euphoria, boost your energy, make you more talkative and increase your alertness.

Being a hallucinogenic as well means it will impact your brain greatly. You can expect to have intense sensory experiences as well as visual and auditory distortions.

This mix of up and down sensations can take its toll on your body. Increased heart rate, blood pressure, confusion and agitation, as well as an impact on your brain function, are all possible pink cocaine effects.

 

The Key Dangers of Pink Cocaine

The primary dangers of pink cocaine are not to be ignored. The fact that pink cocaine is cut with unknown substances increases these dangers hugely – it’s a simple fact that with this drug, you don’t know what you are ingesting.

Potency

Without testing, there is no knowing how potent the drug will be. It could be more you are used to or not what you expect – meaning a little could do a lot of damage.

High Risk of Overdose

Pink cocaine carries a high risk of overdose. You can do so after your first time taking it because of the unknown substances that may have unintended effects on you.

Severe Physical & Psychological Effects

Pink cocaine has the potential to cause severe physical and psychological effects that you don’t expect. These include seizures, vomiting, confusion and delirium.

Physical Health Risks of Using Pink Cocaine

There are many more physical risks of pink cocaine than have already been listed.

There will also be pressure on your cardiovascular system, leading to increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure. This increases the chance of you having a stroke or heart attack.

Dehydration and nausea are also serious concerns. The setting where pink cocaine is taken – a party atmosphere with dancing, pressed close to others – will make these things worse.

Repeated use can lead to organ damage. Your kidneys, lungs and brain are all at risk with chronic pink cocaine use.

Mental Health Risks and Psychological Effects

Pink cocaine brings with it risks to your mental health, too. Due to the hallucinogenic effects, paranoia, anxiety, and hallucinations are all real possibilities. Especially if the trip it causes is bad – this can have long-lasting impacts that may trigger psychotic episodes long after you took pink cocaine.

The scary thing about the psychological effects of pink cocaine is that they can persist after the drug has worn off. Substance abuse will have a huge impact on mental health if you are already predisposed to depression and other issues. Continued abuse will worsen these problems, making your anxiety more severe and prompting more panic attacks.

Risk of Addiction and Dependence

Whilst cocaine addiction is more commonplace, 2C-B is not traditionally as addictive as other stimulants, but it still carries the risk of dependence.

Cocaine is both physically and psychologically addictive as it directly impacts dopamine pathways in the brain. The euphoric and hallucinogenic effects of 2C-B are what makes the drug addictive.

People chase the euphoria the drug gives them, using the drug again and again to replicate the feeling. Addiction sets in as they continue to take the drug despite the consequences and escalating risks, now psychologically dependent.

Also, pink cocaine often contains MDMA and other substances that are addictive, too.

 

Why You Should Avoid Synthetic Drugs Like Pink Cocaine

Pink cocaine should be avoided at all costs. This sentiment spreads to synthetic drugs in general. While many drugs that come from natural sources are dangerous if abused, the fact that pink cocaine and other synthetic drugs are wholly created in labs makes the dangers more unknowable.

It’s important that you are aware of dangers and make safe choices. If you or someone you know is struggling, then you should seek professional help in the form of a drug rehab.

Unpredictable Effects

The simple fact is that you don’t know what is in synthetic drugs. They contain a mixture of unknown substances, often not what you expect, and this can bring unexpected results. This increases the possibility of unforeseen adverse reactions.

High-Risk Potential

Synthetic drugs, such as pink cocaine and fentanyl, can be much more potent than the drugs they are trying to mimic. This potency increases the risks of taking the drug massively. Overdosing becomes a much more serious possibility, even if you are not a chronic user of the drug. Synthetic drugs like pink cocaine are also highly addictive.

Lack of Regulation

Pink cocaine and other synthetic drugs are often made in unregulated labs and countries outside the US and UK where there is a lack of regulatory guidelines. With illegal drug manufacturers able to produce these types of drugs in labs they completely control, they are not answerable to anyone and can cut the drugs with any substances to lower costs and increase the risk for users.

 

What to Do If You or Someone You Know Is Using Pink Cocaine

It’s hard to watch someone go through drug abuse. It’s important to know that you try to help them, as the issue will only worsen if left alone.

This conversation is never easy, but there are things you can do to increase the chance of your words having a positive effect.

  • Prepare – educate yourself about addiction and plan what you will say.
  • Avoid judgment – it’s not time for blame but empathy and compassion.
  • Listen – try not to argue back and show that you care. They are in pain and should be heard.
  • Be honest – express your concerns specifically and emphasise that you care. Do not slip into lecturing and pile on the guilt they already feel.
  • Expect a long road – don’t think one conversation will turn it around. Many more may need to occur before they get help. Be ready for the denial and the promises – this is just the first step.

 

Learn More About the Dangers of Pink Cocaine Today

It’s always important to know how dangerous substances are, and pink cocaine is no expectation.

If you are worried about your pink cocaine use, we at Ocean Recovery can help. We are a private drug and alcohol rehab dedicated to helping those suffering from addiction. For more info, call us now at 0800 880 7596.

John Gillen - Director at Ocean Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: November 15, 2024

John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.