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Herbal Highs
It's a dirty job but somebody's got to do it. Lowri Clarke looks at the highs and lows of herbal drugs...
It’s nearly midday. Dragging my aching feet home on the dawn of this particular day, after a prolonged floor-stomping session at a breaks night followed by the inevitable after-party, and I am surprised by the luminance of my surroundings. Everything is tainted by that curious, humming, psychedelic glow which tends to cling to normality after being up all night raving, head full of class A drugs. My body is tired now. But my mind is a veritable hive of activity. Everything is funny, and I don’t want to go to sleep. That means the party will be over. All night I have been enjoying tingly rushes that run all over my scalp and down my spine. I have been going wild on the dance-floor for virtually 7 hours straight and chatting inanely to whatever poor fool stumbles into my field of vision. And yes, I have been telling all my friends that I love them. People have been looking at me strangely as I careen through their little groups, limbs chaotically flailing, in search of the crispest stereo sound with which to enjoy that Drummatic Twins remix. Lately I’ve been feeling kinda strange… I have felt inescapably high and completely wired all night, and even now, at lunchtime on a cold bleak Sunday, I’m still buzzing and fear that sleep may elude me. I haven’t, as you might imagine, been boshing the magic beans. (Don’t tempt me). Instead, as a healthy alternative, I have been sampling some fairly new brands of legal highs, and bugger me, do they get you twisted.
What are they?
Marketed as an alternative to illegal psycho-active drugs, Herbal Highs have been around for decades. In the past few years, their manufacture has become more sophisticated and the current competitors closely mimic the effects of MDMA, amphetamines, other stimulants such as cocaine and some mild hallucinogens. The main ingredients in most of the brands on the market are Sida Cordifolia and Ma Huang, and although many other herbal stimulants (and sometimes large doses of caffeine) are present, these herbs are by far the most powerful. Sida Cordifolia is an Asiatic herb which has been used in India to treat asthma, colds and flu for at least 2000 years. The stem of this herb contains the active compounds Ephedrine and Pseudo-ephedrine. Ephedrine can also be found in the Chinese herb Ma Huang (from the tree ephedra sinensis) which has been reported to have stimulant effects such as shivers up and down the spine, sensitive skin and muscles, and feelings of exhilaration. In China the herb Ma Huang is sold as a medicine and as an aphrodisiac.
Although Herbal Highs contain herbal ingredients, or compounds extracted from herbs, this does not necessarily eliminate the possibility of damage, and many, particularly those containing Ephedrine, do have similar side effects to synthetic drugs. Higher doses can be quite unpleasant, possibly causing muscle spasms and even heart attack. These products should not be used by people with heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, or kidney disease. Side effects can include a racing heart, dry throat, anxiety, tremors and cold feet and hands. In the US, Ephedrine products have been banned or restricted in at least 20 states since 1997, following a small number of deaths as a result of severe misuse.
New School
A new breed of legal highs known as p.e.p pills have recently been put on the British market. These are not herbal highs, but “semi-synthetic legal highs, developed as a drug harm minimisation solution”; to quote Spiritual Highs – the company responsible for the manufacture of p.e.p’s. The pills contain a blend of the stimulant benzylpiperazine (BZP) and other less potent chemicals from the piperazine family. Synthesised from the pepper plant, BZP was originally used as a worming treatment for internal parasites in cattle. Taken on its own, it acts as a mild stimulant. It causes wakefulness, euphoria and increased vigilance. But when it is mixed with other piperazines, the effects become more euphoric, even psychedelic, lasting up to eight hours. Side-effects include dry mouth, restlessness and an alcohol-like hangover and headache the next day. BZP also has diuretic properties, so if you are mixing with alcohol, your hangover will be a lot worse. Other users report a few amphetamine-style side-effects such as insomnia and anxiety. In the US BZP is illegal; scheduled under class one, alongside cannabis, LSD and crack cocaine, but it remains legal in the UK, and its powerful effects are leading more and more clubbers to try getting high on something that will not end in conviction if they are searched.
In the name of research (of course), I tested the ‘Dance’ Pep pills, and the ‘Orange Xtra’s’ from the Head Fuel range. (Yes, you can mix your herbal highs! But in moderation). I was stunningly impressed by both brands. They are amazing, and the effects are very similar to ecstasy and speed, complete with euphoria, massively dilated pupils, excitement, high energy and empathy, and the inability to sit still. The active ingredients in Herbal Highs have not been found to deplete serotonin – one of the major causes of depression in ecstasy users – which is a very seductive reason to use them as an alternative, especially when they are so good. However, they do not agree with everyone. Some users experienced severe nausea and the sensation of crawling skin. If this happens, do not do any more. Doing more will not make these feelings go away – but worsen them. Eating a banana and drinking fruit juice prior to taking any pills from the Head Fuel Range is said to ‘maximise the experience’ as your body needs a good supply of vitamins and minerals – this may also prevent you feeling queasy.
Although you may feel ‘protected’ because the pills are legal, overuse can lead to some unpleasant effects and you may be awake for days. According to a pep-selling website: “Taking more than the recommended dosage will cause side effects typical of ATS drugs” (Amphetamine-Type Stimulants). The Head Fuel Range carry the warning: ‘Do not consume if you plan to sleep in the next 8 hours’; a piece of advice I noticed when my vision had finally cleared at midday on Sunday - with the prospect of a busy night shift looming large in a mere four hours time. You have been warned. Just because they are legal – doesn’t mean they won’t get you fucked. So it’s ONE AT A TIME, even if you think you’re hardcore.
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