The Rise of So Called Legal Substances

Lynn Riemer on February 5, 2025

Featured Image of a man at a convenience store counter.

Questionable substances are starting to show up in pills and liquid shots across the US in gas stations, vape shops, kratom stores, and tobacco shops. They are also available online and are unregulated or tested by the FDA. Many warnings have been sent out over the last couple years, but they continue to be available. Most are listed as unapproved drugs or supplements by the FDA. These are being mixed with other dangerous substances that can make them extremely dangerous if ingested.

In this article we delve into the specifics of several key substances, including Phenibut, Phenazepam, Kratom, Kava, and Tianeptine, examining their potential dangers, side effects, and the risks associated with their unregulated sale and use.

Phenibut: Synthetic gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)

Bags of powder representing the way phenibut is often sold online.

Phenibut is a non-regulated synthetic coming out of Russia and sold over-the-counter (OTC) as a dietary supplement. It has a calming effect and acts like a benzodiazepine (Xanax). Phenibut was initially designed to be an analog of GABA that has the potential to cross the blood brain barrier. It is known on the street as a mood enhancer, sleep aid, exercise-recovery-booster, and a “smart” drug.  The label recommends it be used to treat anxiety, fear, insomnia, tension, stress, fatigue, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, alcoholism, and irregular heartbeat. It is also recommended for improving memory, learning, and thinking. There is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. It is considered an unapproved drug by the FDA, and is banned from being sold as a dietary supplement in the US.

Phenibut is unsafe for most people to use and causes dizziness, nausea, poor balance and fatigue. In large doses it may cause trouble breathing, unconsciousness and death. (Jouney EA. Curr Psychiatry Rep, 2019;21:23). Acute intoxication with phenibut is characterized by rapid heart-beat, visual hallucinations, tremor, nausea and vomiting (Kupats E. Pharmacopsychiatry 2020 Sept;53(5):2010). Chronic use of phenibut may lead to dependence/tolerance with related withdrawal symptoms that often require treatment (Hardman HI. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2019 May 20;19(2):125) Withdrawal signs/symptoms can occur 3-4 hours after use and may also include visual and auditory hallucinations, psychomotor agitation, derealization, depersonalization, increased light and sound sensitivity, muscle pain/twitches, tachycardia, nausea, tremor and insomnia.  

Phenibut is a central nervous system depressant. When mixed with other CNS depressants (alcohol, sedatives, or opioids) the risk of overdose is much higher. Phenibut may be addictive and should not be abruptly discontinued. Quitting Phenibut requires medical assisted treatment and supervised tapering of the substance (similar to Xanax).

Phenazepam

Image is of a rectangle packet with an image of a smilely face winking and wearing a black top hat with a red band around the crown above the brim. Verbiage on top right says, "Mr. Smiley Relax Max relaxation bars." The bottom has a rectangular puffed out plastic area that contains 2 white, long, thin rectangles with 3 lines across them. The look like 4 small squares stacked on top of each other. They resemble prescription Xanax pills but contain Phenazepam, not Alprazolam.

Phenazepam has gained popularity as a recreational drug in the United States. It is a benzodiazepine with anxiolytic, euphoric, anticonvulsant, amnestic, muscle relaxant, and hypnotic (sleep-inducing) effects. The effects of the oral dose last over 60 hours. Its extreme potency makes overdose common and overdose symptoms may last many days or weeks. Side effects include hiccups, dizziness, loss of coordination, drowsiness, and amnesia. As with other benzodiazepines, when abruptly discontinued following prolonged use, severe withdrawal symptoms may occur including restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, seizures, convulsions and death. Fatalities have been reported when the drug is taken with prescription opioid drugs and alcohol.

Phenazepam does not currently have an accepted medical use in the United States. It is sold over the internet and at local retail shops where it is promoted as a “research chemical.” It has been sold as a powder, in tablet form, in dropper bottles as a solution and as an “air freshener” commonly known as “Zannie.” Zannie is sprayed in the mouth. When used with antidepressants, sleep medications, pain medications, or alcohol, it can prove fatal. Although phenazepam is currently not controlled, sale for human use remains illegal.

Kratom

Image is small plastic jar with white lids and pink label around it. In front of the jar are 3 red gummy squares with some sugar like substance sprinkled on them. The writing on label says FRUIT PUNCH with Kratom Gummies under it. Below that is "A bite sized boost of tropical fruit flavors and verdant plans with punch." On top of the white lid is a small price tag that say $54.99.

Kratom is a plant common to Southeast Asia, commonly known as Thang, Ketum, Thom, and Biak, and acts as both a stimulant and a narcotic. The plant has over 25 alkaloids, the most active is Mitragynine which is more potent than morphine. Kratom is available in capsules, gummies, concentrates or extracts, tinctures or shots, and as loose plant material which can be used to make a tea or chewed. You can buy Kratom in gas stations, vape shops, tobacco stores, kratom stores, and online. In the US the abuse of Kratom has increased dramatically in recent years. 

Image is a brown bottle looking container with a tan label wrapped around it. In from of the bottle are 3 yellow looking capsules. The writing on the label says JUST KRATOM on top with CAPSULES below it. Under that is the word TRAINWRECK with a black line above and below the word. Below that is Mitragyna Speciosa with a chemical structure under that and 30 ct in the middle.

Users experience different effects based on dose. At a low dose the user becomes talkative, energetic, alert, and excited. At a high dose, the user’s pupils constrict, and they enter a calm and dreamy state, sudden sleepiness, are less sensitive to pain, have a dry mouth, may itch, and have nausea. Doctors report overdose signs are similar to an opioid-like effect and users may exhibit confusion, paranoia, severe prolonged vomiting, lethargy, respiratory suppression. Kratom may be used as a substitute for opioids and to ease opioid withdrawal. It is addictive, has no recognized medical use, and has caused many deaths. Kratom is not in the Controlled Substance Act, however, DEA has listed Kratom a Drug and Chemical of Concern. 

Image is small bottle with a green lid and a yellow/tan label wrapped around it with leaf images and the word O.P.M.S in the middle with the word GOLD under that. Then in smaller font is the word Liquid. On the bottom of the bottle is green background with the word KRATOM EXTRACT.

Kava

Image is a small bottle that has multiple colors. The bottle is black with a red wave from bottom middle up the left side of the bottle. The top has a brown wrap that says shake well. In the middle of the bottle in large letters in a black box is the word TYSON. Below that is TYSON TONIC. Below that is KAVA & KRATOM BLEND with Mocha below that. on the bottle of the bottom is 2oz(60ml).

Kava, also known as Yagona Leaf and Piper methysticum is a plant from the South Pacific with psychotropic and sedative effects similar to Xanax and other benzodiazepines. Typically consumed as either a beverage or extract, kava is considered to be non-alcoholic but psychoactive.  Kava is becoming a great social drink and people use it to loosen up, relax and enjoy a happy and relaxed mood. Kava Bars are popping up all over the US. Drinking Kava may result in a good night’s sleep without the problem of having a morning hangover. Its popularity is currently on the rise and it is gaining momentum as a better, healthier alternative to alcoholic drinks. 

Kava is legally sold in the U.S. as a dietary supplement and is marketed as a sleep aid and muscle relaxant. Despite the substance’s legal status, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released an advisory in 2002 that kava products may cause severe liver disease. The FDA cited reports from other countries of hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure as a result of long-term kava use. These reports regarding liver problems led to regulation of the substance in Germany, France, Canada, Switzerland, and the UK.

Mixing Kava with Kratom can be extremely dangerous. Kava shouldn’t be mixed with other sedating type drugs/medication. The combination can cause extreme drowsiness and breathing problems. Kava should never be taken by anyone with Liver disease or Parkinson’s disease. 

Tianeptine (gas-station heroin, Neptune’s fix, ZAZA drug)

Image is of a small black plastic container with a screw on lid. There are rivets around the lid. Their is a purple label with a shield with gold wings in the middle with TD on wings and below that is the word MEGA. On the right of the shield on the purple strip say EXTRA and the left of the shield the word STRENGTH. Below that between 2 lines in gold is the words DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS. Under that on the bottom of the bottle in white is 15 capsules. In Front of the vial are 3 capsules that are two tone, white and red. They resemble Tylenol capsules.

Tianeptine (gas-station heroin, Neptune’s fix, ZAZA drug) is a unique tricyclic antidepressant – a class of medications used to treat major depressive disorder. It stimulates the same biologic receptors as opioids. Tianeptine is legal in all US states except for Michigan, Minnesota and Alabama where it is considered a scheduled controlled substance. Tianeptine is not approved for human consumption and it does not qualify as a dietary ingredient or additive and is not recognized as safe by the FDA. To bypass the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Tianeptine is either sold as “not for human consumption”, for “research only”.  The product is available online. Sellers are making dangerous and unproven claims that Tianeptine can improve brain function and treat anxiety, depression, pain, opioid use disorder, and other conditions.

It is sold as a white powder to treat anxiety, depression and opioid-use disorder. It belongs to a growing group of unregulated, potentially addictive drugs which are easy to obtain. Buyers assume the drug is a safe alternative to opioids. However, users quickly develop tolerance resulting in rapid increase in dose and frequency of use. The clinical effects of Tianeptine abuse and withdrawal mimic opioid toxicity and withdrawal. 

Image is of 4 small bottles. The one on the left has a green lid with a yellow label. The on to the right has a red lid and a pink label. The one to the right has a brown lid with a whitish tan label. The one on the left has a blue lid with an orange label. All of the bottles have the same image on them. The image is in a circle in the middle of the bottle. It is a picture of the roman God Neptune. He is a bearded man holding a trident. On top of the picture is the words NEPTUNE'S FIX. Their is a banner below his beard that reads TIANEPTINE. Below the circle it says ELIXIR, and below that is 0.338 fl oz (10ml).

The FDA and CDC issued a warning about the hazards associated with Tianeptine. According to the CDC, 20 cases of Tianeptine ingestion associated with severe effects were reported to state Poison Control in New Jersey between June and November 2023. 

All of the patients had an altered mental status upon evaluation, while other effects included: 

  •  tachycardia (11 patients), 
  •  hypotension (10), 
  •  seizure (eight), 
  •  prolonged QT interval (seven), 
  •  prolonged QRS duration (four), 
  •  cardiac arrest (one).

What can be done?

One of the most effective ways to help people stay away from Gas Station Drugs is to provide them with the facts, so they can make good decisions for themselves. To learn more about how you can help students and youth visit our homepage actondrugs.org.