5-IT, or 5- (2-aminopropyl) indole, is a dangerous drug that killed 14 people in Sweden within a month. 5-IT is a harmful psychoactive substance with a stimulating and hallucinogenic effect, i.e. similar to the action of amphetamines. That is why the European Commission calls on the Member States to bring the new drug to control measures. Check how the 5-IT drug works and why it is so dangerous to life.
5-IT , or5- (2-aminopropyl) indole , is a synthetic substance with a stimulating and hallucinogenic effect. Why is the new drug so dangerous? In the period from April to August 2012 alone, this substance is believed to be responsible for the deaths of 24 people in Germany, Sweden, Great Britain and Hungary. The drug was found alone or in combination with other substances during an autopsy. In addition, he also contributed to the deaths of 14 people in Sweden within a month. In addition, 21 cases of severe poisoning caused by the use of 5-IT have already been reported in EU countries.
- 5-IT is a harmful psychoactive substance that can be lethal, emphasized Viviane Reding, EU Justice Commissioner, and urged member states to adopt the Commission proposal as soon as possible, "so as to subject the substance to criminal law measures." Currently, 5- (2-aminopropyl) indole is already controlled in at least seven EU countries (Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Hungary and Italy) and Norway.
5-IT - how does it work? Symptoms of taking 5-IT
5-IT acts on the central nervous system and, like amphetamines, may induce temporary states of euphoria. However, after taking a high dose or after prolonged use, symptoms similar to amphetamine psychosis may develop, i.e. delusions, hallucinations or other disturbances in thinking. This is likely due to the increased activity of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Therefore, the characteristic symptoms of taking the new IT-5 drug may be:
- euphoric states,
- dilated pupils,
- increased pressure,
- quick breath,
- anorexia, anorexia,
- increased urine output.
5-IT: side effects. What is the risk of taking the drug5-IT?
Studies by the Scientific Committee of the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) show that 5-IT can cause a number of serious side effects. Among them are:
- hyperthermia, i.e. excessively high body temperature, which should be lowered as soon as possible. Otherwise, the proteins in the nerve cells of the brain can be damaged and hence die. Usually the symptoms of hyperthermia are weakness, headaches and dizziness, nausea and visual disturbances,
- tachycardia, i.e. faster heart rate,
- anxiety,
- confusion,
- convulsions.
With prolonged use, as with most drugs, serious symptoms may occur which can lead to death, e.g. heart attack, stroke, suicide attempt (hallucinogenic effect), kidney and liver failure.
5-IT - where can this dangerous drug buy your child?
According to the information provided by the European Commission, 5-IT is most often in the form of a powder, as well as tablets and capsules, and is available in online stores that offer this type of stimulants and in stores selling legal highs. In the latter, the drug 5-IT is usually sold as an experimental chemical. As we read in the press release of the European Commission, the new drug was also detected in samples of a drug-related product called BenzoFury and in tablets similar to ecstasy.
People who like to experiment with this type of drugs look for answers to the question of how much drug should be taken to achieve the desired effects on internet forums. "Internet users recommend different doses, often too high" - comments an employee of the Swedish government organization dealing with the case. He noted that even if someone had previously taken a certain dose of IT-5 and survived, it does not mean that a given amount of the drug does not pose a threat to he alth. Please note that the IT-5 tablet may be a mixture of several different psychoactive chemicals with a greater or lesser content of 5- (2-aminopropyl) indole. This is why 5-IT and other drugs sold online are so deadly.