Flakka (Gravel)

Flakka (alpha-PVP) is a synthetic drug that looks like aquarium gravel. It is incredibly cheap and extremely dangerous, often leading to news-making incidents of bizarre and violent behavior.

* **Body Heat:** Users feel like they are burning alive, often stripping off clothes in public. * **Paranoia:** Belief that they are being chased by demons or police. * **Strength:** Fear-based strength that can make the user dangerous to themselves and rescuers.

* **Renal Failure:** The muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) can shut down the kidneys in hours. * **Brain Damage:** Severe hyperthermia literally 'cooks' the brain cells. * **Death:** Sudden cardiac arrest is frequent due to extreme physical stress.

Flakka recovery starts with deep-sedation medical management to protect the patient from their own violent impulses as the drug leaves their system.