Understanding Synthetic Substances: What You Need to Know

Synthetic substances, sometimes called designer drugs, research chemicals, or legal highs, are lab-made drugs designed to imitate the effects of familiar substances like cannabis, opioids, stimulants, or psychedelics. They’re often marketed as safer or legal alternatives, but in reality, they can be far more dangerous and unpredictable than the drugs they’re trying to mimic.

At Ultimate Treatment Center, we see firsthand how synthetic substances can quickly lead to medical emergencies, mental health crises, and overdose, often without people realizing what they’ve taken.

What Are Synthetic Substances?

Synthetic substances are chemically manufactured drugs created to copy or intensify the effects of other drugs. They’re often sold under misleading names and labels to appear harmless or legal.

Common categories include:

• Synthetic cannabinoids (often sold as K2 or Spice)

• Synthetic stimulants (sometimes called “bath salts” or flakka)

• Novel synthetic opioids (including nitazenes and U-47700)

• Synthetic hallucinogens or dissociatives (such as NBOMe compounds)

These products may be sold as incense, plant food, or “not for human consumption,” even though that’s exactly how they’re used.

Why People Try Synthetic Drugs

Many people don’t start using synthetics because they want something dangerous. Common reasons include:

• Belief they’re legal or safer

• Trying to avoid drug tests

• Stronger or faster effects

• Lower cost or easier access

The problem is that what’s on the label rarely matches what’s inside.

Why Synthetic Substances Are So Risky

Unpredictable Chemistry

Synthetic drugs aren’t consistent. Manufacturers frequently change chemical formulas to avoid regulation, meaning:

• One batch can be very different from the next

• A dose that felt “fine” once can be life-threatening another time

There’s no reliable way to know potency, purity, or even what substance you’re actually using.

Serious Mental Health Effects

Synthetic substances are strongly linked to:

• Panic attacks and extreme anxiety

• Aggression or agitation

• Hallucinations and paranoia

• Psychosis, even in people with no prior history

These effects can last long after the drug wears off.

Dangerous Physical Effects

Depending on the substance, risks may include:

• Seizures

• Irregular heart rhythms or cardiac arrest

• Breathing suppression (especially with synthetic opioids)

• Overheating, kidney failure, or organ damage

Overdose can happen suddenly and in very small amounts.

Common Synthetic Drugs and What They Can Do

Synthetic Cannabinoids (K2, Spice)

• Much stronger than THC

• Can cause paranoia, confusion, vomiting, seizures, or loss of consciousness

• Frequently linked to ER visits and psychotic episodes

Synthetic Stimulants (“Bath Salts”)

• Act like powerful amphetamines

• Can cause intense paranoia, delirium, and dangerous impulsive behavior

• High risk of overdose and self-harm

Novel Synthetic Opioids (Nitazenes, U-47700)

• Some are stronger than fentanyl

• Extremely high overdose risk

• Often mixed into heroin or counterfeit pills without warning

Synthetic Hallucinogens (NBOMe and related drugs)

• Extremely potent, often absorbed through blotter paper

• Can trigger seizures, dangerous behavior, or severe confusion

• Linked to serotonin toxicity and sudden death

Why These Drugs Are Hard to Detect

One of the biggest dangers is that synthetic substances:

• Don’t show up on standard drug tests

• May not be identified in emergency settings

• Make treatment harder because doctors don’t know what was taken

This can delay lifesaving care.

Harm Reduction: Ways to Lower Risk

If you or someone you care about may be exposed to synthetic substances:

• Be cautious of anything sold as “legal,” “herbal,” or “research chemicals”

• Avoid using alone

• Carry naloxone, especially since synthetic opioids may be hidden in other drugs

• Use fentanyl test strips when possible

• Seek medical help immediately if symptoms feel unusual or severe

Asking honest questions about substance use helps providers give better care.

A Final Word

Synthetic substances are one of the fastest-changing and most dangerous parts of today’s drug supply. Even people with experience using drugs are often caught off guard by their strength and unpredictability. If you’ve had a scary experience, feel out of control with use, or just want to talk through safer options, help is available. You don’t have to wait for things to get worse. At Ultimate Treatment Center, we offer compassionate, evidence-based addiction treatment focused on safety, honesty, and support.