The street name is a misnomer for a drug with such a big impact. Flakka is a colloquial term used by Hispanics that refers to an elegant woman with charm. No doubt this is a sly reference to the drug’s addictive properties.

A Florida Thing

So far, the use of Flakka has been confined largely to Florida. But word travels fast in the drug community, and use has spread to New York, Texas and Ohio and will likely be widespread early next year. The drug is highly addictive, so many dealers may give it out freely, knowing thrill-seekers will be back for more in short order.

Flakka is classified as a Schedule 1 drug by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency, which indicates a drug with a high potential for abuse and no real functions as medical treatments. The chemical components were banned as far back as 2011, but it has taken until now for Flakka to become a street drug.

While some popular drugs like MDMA (known as “molly” or “ecstasy” on the street) induce a warm, friendly feeling, Flakka is the polar opposite. Its mechanisms are re-uptake inhibitors of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are important nerve transmission hormones. While these hormones are normally absorbed by cells after release, Flakka blocks their absorption, leading to a longer effect from dopamine and serotonin, thus producing the “excited delirium” phase of the drug.

The drug is not meant for anyone suffering underlying health issues. Body temperatures can escalate to as high as 106 degrees, a temperature at which body organs, particularly the kidneys, can begin to fail or be seriously damaged. Meanwhile, Flakka's psychological effects include anxiety, paranoia and other aspects of a psychotic reaction. Users feel increased strength and a consequent loss of their sense of reality, leading to behaviors that are dangerous to themselves and anyone unfortunate enough to be in their vicinity.