As a public service, NEWS of the WORLD reprints The FUNNY STUFF FUNNIES, an educational comic book giving basic facts on drugs and alcohol. Each post reproduces a page from the booklet, which is aimed at young persons and which avoids sermonizing and excessive wordiness.
XVI
Tap phone images for better views.
FY1
CCR: Bad Moon RisingFloyd: Dark Side of the Moon
Cannonball: Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
This page discusses three types of chems commonly used as legal alternatives to banned drugs.
They say it's 'incense'
The main ingredient in some forms of "incense" is similar to THC, the chemical in marijuana that gets people high. In the past, these forms of "incense" were sold under names like K2 and Spice.
In fact there is a group of these lab-made THC-mimicking chemicals known as synthetic cannabinoids. The stuff is sold as incense or potpourri after having been sprayed onto a chopped plant. Users take the stuff and smoke it. It may also come as a liquid, with users consuming it via vaping devices, like e-ciggies.
Supposedly, the stuff is "not for human consumption." But of course it is often found in head shops, which tend to attract drug-users.
Some of these lab-made chemicals have been outlawed. But ingenious chemists keep coming up with new compounds that have similar effects.
Not much research has been done on these chems. But scientists have found that some of them are much stronger than the THC in marijuana.
Another risk is that the "incense" has been laced with fentanyl. That hikes the possibility of a trip to the morgue.
"Incense" overdoses happen. Possible outcomes:
Mind bender "bath salts" are nothing like the Epsom salt people use for bathing. People use the stuff because they find its effects are similar to those of Ecstasy, the drug that boosts sex drive and sociability.
This product, which comes under the heading of "synthetic cathinone," usually is sold as a white or brown crystal-like powder wrapped in packaging with the label "not for human consumption." The stuff might be sold as bath salts, plant food, jewelry cleaner or phone screen cleaner.
This chem, known to some as monkey dust, is sought after as a cheap substitute for stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine. Street Ecstasy (AKA Molly) may actually be composed of synthetic cathinones and not MDMA, which is the original chemical for Ecstasy.
As with other stimulants, this stuff is swallowed in pill or capsule form, snorted, smoked or injected.
A study found that one of these cathinones found in "bath salts" gave a rush that was 10 times stronger than the rush from cocaine. But researchers lack quite a bit of info on this substance.
Much is still unknown about how synthetic cathinones affect the human brain. Researchers do know that synthetic cathinones are chemically similar to drugs like amphetamines, cocaine, and MDMA.
As with some other stimulants, "bath salts" appear to be highly addictive. Withdrawal symptoms include:
Kratom is an Asian herb that acts as a stimulant in low doses and a relaxant at high doses. Hallucinations, delusions and confusion may occur with excessive use. Psychological and physical addiction can occur with prolonged use.
This chem is not outlawed, though there is pressure to ban it. Kratom sellers lobby for the right to sell the stuff, asserting that it is relatively safe. It may have a lower incidence of problems than covid vaccines.
Even so, authorities are concerned that kratom concentrates are far more potent than the traditional forms used in Asia. The key ingredient affects the brain's opioid receptors, implying that the chem has similar effects, including bad effects.
Occasional fatal overdoses have occurred, especially with high usage. Babies of kratom-using moms may need to undergo medically supervised withdrawal, having been born addicted.
Mixing kratom with heroin or alcohol or other chems is asking for trouble. Sometimes two chems acting together pack a much bigger wallop than either one acting alone.
In Southeast Asia, kratom leaves are chewed, meaning mental and physical effects are not usually as strong as those experienced by U.S. users, who buy the stuff in liquid or powder concentrates. The liquid extract is said to be 15 times stronger than the powdered form. Hence, overuse is all too likely when some happy-go-lucky airhead decides to take another swig or two. If one's judgment is already out of whack from alcohol or other chem, the probability of such silliness goes up.
Anyone who decides to experiment by injecting this stuff must have real problems with maturity. How immature can you get?
'Incense'"Incense" is a marijuana copycat, "bath salts" are composed of various related chems that mimic Ecstasy, and kratom is a controversial herbal supplement used as both a stimulant and a get-high relaxant.
'Bath salts'
Kratom
They say it's 'incense'
The main ingredient in some forms of "incense" is similar to THC, the chemical in marijuana that gets people high. In the past, these forms of "incense" were sold under names like K2 and Spice.
In fact there is a group of these lab-made THC-mimicking chemicals known as synthetic cannabinoids. The stuff is sold as incense or potpourri after having been sprayed onto a chopped plant. Users take the stuff and smoke it. It may also come as a liquid, with users consuming it via vaping devices, like e-ciggies.
FY2
Experts warn that you never know what you're getting with "incense," meaning you may face a dangerous, or even life-threatening, situation.
Supposedly, the stuff is "not for human consumption." But of course it is often found in head shops, which tend to attract drug-users.
Some of these lab-made chemicals have been outlawed. But ingenious chemists keep coming up with new compounds that have similar effects.
Not much research has been done on these chems. But scientists have found that some of them are much stronger than the THC in marijuana.
FY3
Some effects of "incense"
Elevated moodNegative effects are possible:
Relaxation
Changes in how things around you are perceived
Heightened sensitivity to music
ConfusionSometimes "incense" users show up at ERs with:
Delusional thinking
Being detached from reality
Extreme anxiety
Paranoia. Extreme and unreasonable distrust of others
Hallucinations. You see and hear things others don't
Rapidly pounding heartJust as it is possible to get hooked on pot, it is possible to become an incense addict. Withdrawal is difficult.
Vomiting
Violent behavior
Suicidal thoughts
Another risk is that the "incense" has been laced with fentanyl. That hikes the possibility of a trip to the morgue.
"Incense" overdoses happen. Possible outcomes:
Toxic reactions
Surging blood pressure
Heart robbed of sufficient blood
Kidney damage
Seizures
FY4
Bath saltsMind bender "bath salts" are nothing like the Epsom salt people use for bathing. People use the stuff because they find its effects are similar to those of Ecstasy, the drug that boosts sex drive and sociability.
This product, which comes under the heading of "synthetic cathinone," usually is sold as a white or brown crystal-like powder wrapped in packaging with the label "not for human consumption." The stuff might be sold as bath salts, plant food, jewelry cleaner or phone screen cleaner.
This chem, known to some as monkey dust, is sought after as a cheap substitute for stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine. Street Ecstasy (AKA Molly) may actually be composed of synthetic cathinones and not MDMA, which is the original chemical for Ecstasy.
As with other stimulants, this stuff is swallowed in pill or capsule form, snorted, smoked or injected.
A study found that one of these cathinones found in "bath salts" gave a rush that was 10 times stronger than the rush from cocaine. But researchers lack quite a bit of info on this substance.
Much is still unknown about how synthetic cathinones affect the human brain. Researchers do know that synthetic cathinones are chemically similar to drugs like amphetamines, cocaine, and MDMA.
FY5
Effects are similar to those observed for Ecstasy:
Excessive friendliness.Some physical effects may include pounding heart, surging blood pressure and heart-related chest pain. High doses can bring on seizures and death. People who become delirious face problems from dehydration to possible kidney failure.
Heightened sex drive.
Feeling of well-being.
Heightened sensitivity to music.
Hallucinations. Seeing and hearing things that others don't.
Increased friendliness.
Panic attacks.
Paranoia. Extreme and unreasonable distrust of others.
Excited delirium. Extreme agitation and violent behavior.
As with some other stimulants, "bath salts" appear to be highly addictive. Withdrawal symptoms include:
DepressionKratom
Anxiety
Tremors
Problems sleeping
Paranoia
Kratom is an Asian herb that acts as a stimulant in low doses and a relaxant at high doses. Hallucinations, delusions and confusion may occur with excessive use. Psychological and physical addiction can occur with prolonged use.
This chem is not outlawed, though there is pressure to ban it. Kratom sellers lobby for the right to sell the stuff, asserting that it is relatively safe. It may have a lower incidence of problems than covid vaccines.
Even so, authorities are concerned that kratom concentrates are far more potent than the traditional forms used in Asia. The key ingredient affects the brain's opioid receptors, implying that the chem has similar effects, including bad effects.
FY6
Van Halen: Running with the DevilOccasional fatal overdoses have occurred, especially with high usage. Babies of kratom-using moms may need to undergo medically supervised withdrawal, having been born addicted.
Mixing kratom with heroin or alcohol or other chems is asking for trouble. Sometimes two chems acting together pack a much bigger wallop than either one acting alone.
In Southeast Asia, kratom leaves are chewed, meaning mental and physical effects are not usually as strong as those experienced by U.S. users, who buy the stuff in liquid or powder concentrates. The liquid extract is said to be 15 times stronger than the powdered form. Hence, overuse is all too likely when some happy-go-lucky airhead decides to take another swig or two. If one's judgment is already out of whack from alcohol or other chem, the probability of such silliness goes up.
Anyone who decides to experiment by injecting this stuff must have real problems with maturity. How immature can you get?
FY7
The author of The Funny Stuff Funnies takes sole responsibility for the content of this e-booklet. This booklet has not been sponsored, either directly or indirectly, by any government or non-government organization or fellowship, such as AA or NA.
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The Lunapic image editor contributed greatly to this booklet's pictorial enhancement. Other image editors used were Palette and Petalica.
Find table of content for Funny Stuff Funnies at this link.
The Lunapic image editor contributed greatly to this booklet's pictorial enhancement. Other image editors used were Palette and Petalica.
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