Last updated : December 16, 2024
When Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ was arrested in New York City last month, he allegedly had the designer drug, pink cocaine, in his possession. Also known as tusi, this pink synthetic drug cocktail was created by mixing cheaper substances, such as ketamine, MDMA, caffeine, synthetic opioids, and “psychoactive substances.” Rarely, is cocaine even found to exist in this concoction when analyzed.
Moreover, since there isn’t a specific “psychoactive substance” named, we can’t help but wonder if they just throw whatever they have on hand into the mix. It’s horrifying to consider, however, we all know that drug cartels have no qualms about creating drugs that are “to die for” in the truest sense of the phrase. It’s the money they’re looking for and if human beings die in the process… Eh, then so be it.
The name, tusi, is the phonetic translation of “2C,” a series of psychedelic phenethylamines. Another oddity causing confusion among drug users and researchers alike? When breaking down the make-up of this trending party drug, officials rarely find they contain 2Cs at all.
Delving deeper
Pink cocaine originally came from Colombia but continues to grow in popularity in the United States and other parts of the world. It’s fairly new on the drug scene so researchers don’t know much about long-term effects yet.
In addition to tusi, street names include:
- Tuci
- Tusibi
- Tucibi
All of these names are phonetic spellings of the 2C and 2C-B drugs that were used when initially creating the substance. These days, though, manufacturers use “copycat” drugs, such as ecstasy or ketamine, because they are so inexpensive. Manufacturers use food coloring to turn the drug a candy-colored pink.
How does it affect the body?
Side effects vary since manufacturers aren’t sticking to one specific formula. Instead, taking more of an “everything but the kitchen sink” mentality leaves the user unsure of what the reaction will be after ingesting the drug. It could be that taking a “roll of the dice” attitude lends to the allure. We can’t help but wonder though if it’s more akin to playing Russian roulette.
Other factors that lend to the side effects users experience are:
- Dosage amount
- Individual drug tolerance
- Body mass index
- Individual metabolism cycle
- Whether or not the drug is used with other drugs or alcohol
It’s said that when taken in small doses, pink cocaine likely boosts the heart rate, makes the user feel euphoric, and makes the “senses more sensitive.”
The side effects
Because it contains both stimulants and depressants, pink cocaine is sometimes referred to as being a “speedball.”
Side effects can range from mild to severe and they include:
- Strange thoughts or confusion
- Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there
- Feeling sick to your stomach
- Agitation
- High blood pressure
- Breathing changes
- Low body temperature
- Seizures
There have been rare cases reported about pink cocaine causing someone to experience “excited delirium.” When it happens, the heart suddenly stops beating throwing the user into immediate cardiac arrest. In our opinion, that’s taking euphoria to an extreme. Failure to receive immediate medical care in that instance could easily result in death.
Pink cocaine is a new drug so we don’t know much about the long-term side effects, however, because we have experience with the substances thrown into this synthetic cocktail, we know a little.
Long-term use could affect the body in the following ways:
- Trouble paying attention
- Memory problems
- Depression or anxiety
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Personality changes
It’s not always a pleasant trip
The combination of drugs used to produce pink cocaine, understandably, affects users in different ways. Add to that the body’s reaction to multiple illicit substances in the system simultaneously and we can understand how some users experience uncomfortable, even scary, side effects.
Synthetic opioids and other drugs found in pink cocaine are addictive and the body builds up a tolerance to them, meaning users take higher and higher doses to obtain the desired effect. This places them at higher risk of overdosing. If they decide to quit taking the drug, they will likely experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Lastly, because the drug is made in unregulated labs, there is no way of knowing how strong a dose you’re truly taking.
To reduce the risks of taking this drug, users are encouraged to:
- Have someone with you to call for help if necessary
- Take small doses
- Don’t mix with other drugs or alcohol
Overdose symptoms include:
- Trouble staying awake
- Falling unconscious
- Seizures
Moreover, seek medical attention if the user experiences the following for more than 15 minutes:
- Extreme agitation
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
Treatment plans already in place
Treating those suffering addiction from pink cocaine follows the same rule of thumb as with any drug treatment plan.
- Medical detox is the first step to ease withdrawal symptoms
- Behavioral therapy
- Group therapy
- Peer support groups
- Medication is sometimes prescribed
- Treatment for other apparent mental health conditions
It’s an NPS
New psychoactive substances (NPSs), such as pink cocaine, are gaining popularity on the street and in the club scene. This fact prompted federal officials to issue warnings about the dangers of these drugs to New York citizens. Mostly sold online and through social media apps, a gram of pink cocaine costs anywhere between $20 and $100 depending on the clientele.
The fact that it contains ketamine causes people to be put into what is known as a “k-hole.” That means they feel as if they are in a “blank space.” In other words, they’re disassociated from their brains and don’t know what’s happening around them. Sadly, that definition could also include that they don’t know what’s happening to them either.
This is especially concerning regarding the Diddy situation. News is beginning to surface regarding him—allegedly—drugging partygoers unbeknownst to them. If this proves true, Sean “Diddy” Combs should be put behind bars for a long, long time.
