Buzz
Each era confronts its own version of a 'zombie drug.' From the gin epidemic in 18th-century England to the crack crisis of the 1980s, individuals battling addiction are often compared to the undead. This politically charged analogy stems from exaggerated law enforcement tactics and sensational media portrayals that vilify drug users. Frequently, political agendas drive such labels. The rhetoric is misleading, as there are indeed horrifying substances capable of stripping individuals of their autonomy, and scientists continuously develop new drugs with the potential to render users 'zombie-like.'
10. Coupe Poudre
During the early 1980s, ethnobotanist Wade Davis journeyed to Haiti to uncover the mystery of coupe poudre—zombie powder. He spoke with Voodoo practitioners and gathered samples from various parts of the island. Laboratory tests showed that seven out of eight samples contained common components, including cane toad poison, tree frog irritant secretions, and tetrodotoxin, a neurotoxin found in puffer fish. Davis determined that tetrodotoxin was the key ingredient in coupe poudre.
Numerous accounts describe individuals falling into a coma-like state after ingesting tetrodotoxin, a toxin found in the liver and ovaries of puffer fish. Voodoo priests would administer the toxin to a victim, who would be pronounced dead and buried, only to be later exhumed and revived by the priest. The tree frog irritant caused skin lesions, enabling the tetrodotoxin to enter the bloodstream. Davis’s findings suggested that zombification was used as a penalty for those who broke the laws of Bizango societies, which were established by escaped slaves.
9. Brooklyn Zombie Epidemic
In 2015, Brooklyn authorities were summoned to the Myrtle Avenue and Broadway subway station to address a group of 'zombies.' Several individuals were moving in a robotic, trance-like manner, emitting groans and moans, with vacant stares. Blood and urine tests conducted on the eight men showed they were under the influence of a synthetic cannabinoid 85 times more powerful than marijuana.
In 2009, pharmaceutical leader Pfizer patented AMB-FUBINACA, now marketed as 'AK-47 24 Karat Gold.' This synthetic drug modifies the chemical structure of THC, the main psychoactive component in marijuana. AMB-FUBINACA is 50 times more potent than earlier synthetic cannabinoids like 'spice' or 'K2.' Primarily manufactured in Chinese laboratories, it is sold on the dark web. A single kilogram, priced between $1,950 and $38,000, can yield up to 15,625 doses, potentially generating $500,000 in profit for dealers.
8. Flakka
Flakka, also known as 'gravel,' is an extremely addictive synthetic drug. Its scientific name is alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone, or alpha-PVP. First created in the 1960s, these pungent white or pink crystals can be consumed orally, snorted, smoked, injected, or vaporized. These 'second-generation bath salts' replicate the effects of cocaine and methamphetamine at a much lower cost. Flakka is ten times more potent than cocaine, and its stimulating effects can persist for several days.
Flakka causes a dangerous spike in body temperature, potentially leading to kidney failure or death. One of its most alarming side effects is a condition called 'excited delirium,' characterized by paranoia, hallucinations, and extraordinary physical strength. Flakka has been linked, whether accurately or not, to horrifying acts of violence, including two cannibalistic attacks in Florida, earning it the label of a 'zombie drug' in the media. In 2014, the DEA imposed a temporary ban on alpha-PVP, but drug manufacturers are expected to circumvent the law by modifying its chemical composition.
7. Zombie Jihadists
Captagon is the preferred drug among ISIS fighters in Syria's ongoing civil war, with some fearing it is producing an army of 'zombie jihadists.' This amphetamine-based drug eradicates fear, empathy, pain, and exhaustion. Advocates claim it boosts energy, enhances physical strength, and heightens alertness. In small doses, it can keep users awake for 48 hours and sharpen their senses. However, larger doses trigger paranoia, violent behavior, and a desire to kill. Reports suggest that the terrorists responsible for the Paris nightclub attack were under the influence of captagon.
Scientifically known as fennethylline, captagon has rumors of users consuming 30 to 40 pills at once. Many doubt the accuracy of claims about its 'zombie-inducing' effects, attributing such reports to the placebo effect, religious extremism, and media exaggeration as more plausible explanations. They argue that the idea of an army of zombie jihadists is improbable. Nonetheless, captagon users on the battlefield value its ability to suppress concern for their own lives or the lives of others.
6. Methcathinone
In June 2015, authorities in China revealed the confiscation of 1.8 tons of a dangerous substance referred to as a zombie drug in Xiamen. Methcathinone, an inexpensive yet highly addictive stimulant, is notorious for inducing violent behavior in users. Law enforcement likened its effects to a 'flesh-consuming substance that transforms individuals into zombie-like states.' Commonly called 'cat,' this drug remains relatively obscure in Western regions. Its production involves simple ingredients like ephedrine from cold medications, paint thinner, and sulfuric acid. Interestingly, the synthesis process emits a scent reminiscent of pistachio ice cream.
The simplicity of production and affordability are fueling the widespread use of this drug across South Africa. It delivers intense stimulation and euphoria at a significantly lower cost compared to cocaine. Originally derived from khat, a stimulant plant chewed in regions like the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, 'cat' was first synthesized by German chemists in 1928. It gained popularity as an antidepressant in the Soviet Union during the 1930s and 1940s but was eventually prohibited due to widespread misuse.
5. Zombie Dust
Zombie dust is a combination of Halcion, a strong sedative also known as triazolam, and cocaine. Halcion, first patented in the 1970s, was designed to address extreme cases of insomnia. When mixed with a high-energy stimulant like cocaine, it forms a potent blend that, as described by Motley Crue's drummer Tommy Lee, 'keeps the body alert while numbing the mind.' This concoction became a staple in the band's drug regimen during their 1987 Girls, Girls, Girls tour.
The tour turned into a disaster, largely due to the influence of zombie dust. Nikki Sixx nearly died from an overdose. Throughout the tour, a drug supplier trailed the band's bus in a flashy Excalibur sports car, its license plate boldly displaying 'DEALER.' The record label eventually intervened, canceling the European leg of the tour. The band was fortunate to survive their intense encounter with zombie dust.
4. Meow Meow
Mephedrone, commonly referred to as 'meow meow,' is wreaking havoc across India. Police reports indicate that 80% of addicts in Mumbai are hooked on this white powder. Those under its influence are often described as 'zombies,' appearing pale, emaciated, and lifeless, as if they are 'dead on their feet.'
Priced at approximately $15 per gram, meow meow is significantly cheaper than cocaine, costing about one-sixth of its price. It can be consumed by snorting or swallowing, delivering prolonged bursts of energy, euphoria, and heightened sexual desire. However, users often experience severe weight loss, mental breakdowns, and hallucinations. The comedown is brutal, frequently accompanied by suicidal thoughts. Many users report feeling like 'zombies' and enduring intense hallucinations of deceased individuals and demonic figures.
Meow Meow remained legal in India until 2015. Israel outlawed it in 2008, followed by Europe in 2010. In 2013, a disturbing incident involved a British user who, under the influence, stabbed his mother and then used the same knife to sever his own penis.
3. Devil’s Breath
Scopolamine, often called 'Devil’s Breath,' is arguably the most terrifying drug globally. Extracted from the borrachero tree in Colombia, it transforms individuals into 'zombies,' stripping them of their ability to form memories. This odorless substance can be blown into a victim’s face, erasing their free will. It is also tasteless, making it easy to mix into drinks. Criminals frequently use it to manipulate victims into surrendering their possessions or draining their bank accounts, effectively turning them into compliant puppets.
Devil’s Breath disrupts specific neurotransmitters, impairing memory recall and making individuals highly susceptible to suggestion. Historically, it was used to coerce widows of deceased leaders to follow their husbands into the grave, where they were buried alive. Joseph Mengele, the infamous Nazi 'Angel of Death,' often administered scopolamine to his victims during experiments. The CIA also utilized it as a truth serum in Cold War interrogations. Today, scopolamine is still prescribed to manage Parkinson’s tremors and alleviate motion sickness.
2. Krokodil
During the 1990s, physicians in Russia’s Far East and Siberia encountered numerous patients with blackened, scaly skin resembling crocodile hide. This condition was caused by 'krokodil,' a homemade drug designed to replicate heroin’s effects. The substance, which corrodes the body from within, quickly became known as the 'zombie drug.' By 2011, Russia and Ukraine reported more than 120,000 individuals addicted to krokodil.
All the ingredients needed to make krokodil, also known as desomorphine, can be purchased at a local pharmacy. The primary component is codeine, an opiate commonly found in cough medicines. This codeine is combined with hydrochloric acid, paint thinner, and red phosphorus extracted from match heads. The resulting foul-smelling yellow liquid is sold at a fraction of heroin’s price. Injection sites quickly decay, sometimes causing flesh to fall off in chunks. In 2013, a man in Missouri lost a finger after using it as an injection site for krokodil.
1. Nyaope
Nyaope, also called 'whoonga,' is a devastating drug epidemic in South Africa. This lethal mix of heroin, rat poison, detergent, and HIV antiretroviral drugs has created a wave of drug-induced 'zombies.' Initially confined to urban areas, the cheap drug has now spread nationwide. Users are often compared to the walking dead, consumed by an insatiable craving for more. Many communities are now gripped by fear as the crisis worsens.
Nyaope poses a significant risk to HIV treatment efforts in South Africa. Instead of using their medication to manage their health, users are smoking it for its intoxicating effects. This misuse severely weakens their immune systems, worsening their HIV condition. Additionally, the drug promotes risky sexual behavior, potentially accelerating the spread of the disease. Sold for just $3 to $4 per bag, nyaope delivers a powerful but brief high, driving users into a relentless cycle of seeking more.
