What is Monkey Dust? Drug Effects & Dangers

You might have heard about bath salts in the media after someone committed a violent assault while under the influence of the drug in Florida.[1] This event caused a lot of fear surrounding the drug, and rightfully so. Bath salts can cause significant mental health issues, including psychosis, delusions, and hallucinations.

Bath salts are referred to as synthetic cathinones. They are chemically similar to cathinones found in the Khat plant.[2] They are man-made stimulants that can lead to a potent high characterized by strange and even violent behaviors.

There are many different types of bath salts out there. In recent years, a new bath salt has risen in popularity. “Monkey dust” is a bath salt drug that people have begun abusing around the world. Unfortunately, abusing this substance can lead to psychosis, organ damage, and even life-threatening overdoses.

In this article, you will learn:

• What is monkey dust?
• What are the dangers of abusing monkey dust?
• What are the symptoms of a MDPV overdose?

What is the “Monkey Dust” Drug?

“Monkey dust” is a new drug that has become popular in Australia and the UK, especially in the club or rave scene. It is also referred to as zombie dust, cannibal dust, and methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV).[3] Monkey dust is a synthetic cathinone or a type of bath salt that can produce a potent high.

Synthetic cathinones like monkey dust belong to a class of drugs known as new psychoactive substances (NPS). These are unregulated substances that have no medicinal uses and are created to mimic the effects of other naturally occurring drugs. Bath salts in particular were made as a replacement for illegal stimulant drugs, as loopholes in laws make it easy to get away with the sale and use of bath salts.

The effects of monkey dust may include:

• Excessive stimulation and increased energy
• Feelings of empathy and closeness with others
• Increased focus and alertness
• Feelings of euphoria or pleasure
• Brighter colors and louder sounds
• Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure
• Narrowing of the blood vessels
• Excessive sweating and dehydration
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations

Unofficially, the monkey dust drug effects are similar to a mixture of methamphetamine and MDMA. This is why it has become common in club and rave scenes in various countries. Unfortunately, the side effects can be dangerous and often lead to long-term addiction.

Dangers of Abusing Monkey Dust

Monkey dust or MDPV is a dangerous drug to misuse. If you are struggling with monkey dust addiction, you should seek help from a professional drug rehab program. Getting treatment will prevent you from experiencing the long-term dangers of abusing this substance.

The dangers of misusing monkey dust include:

Psychosis

Because monkey dust acts as a central nervous system stimulant, you will experience increased alertness, heightened energy, and similar effects to methamphetamine. However, you are also at risk of experiencing substance-induced psychosis.[4]

The symptoms of psychosis include delusions, a detachment from reality, hallucinations, and paranoia. Psychosis causes you to become a danger to yourself and others around you. You could engage in aggressive or violent behaviors.

Organ Damage

Abusing monkey dust can lead to a long list of health problems. Because it is a stimulant, it can cause significant damage to your heart. You could experience effects like heart attacks or cardiac arrest when abusing large amounts of the drug.

MDPV abuse can also lead to kidney or liver damage because these organs help your body filter and eliminate the drugs you consume. When you use large amounts for a long period, your liver and kidneys become “backed up” with the substance. This makes it hard for your kidneys and liver to eliminate the drug fast enough to avoid damage.

Overdose

Lastly, abusing monkey dust comes with a high risk of overdose. When it comes in powder form, it can be hard to estimate what dose you are consuming. As a result, you could accidentally take too much at once.

The symptoms of a MDPV overdose may include:[5]

• Abdominal or chest pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stiff muscles
• Increased or erratic heart rate
• High body temperature and excessive sweating
• Paranoia and confusion
• Aggression or hostility
• Seizures
• Coma

As you can see, the effects of a monkey dust overdose are life-threatening and dangerous. If you believe someone is overdosing on MDPV, contact 911 immediately.

Find Help for Monkey Dust Abuse and Addiction

If you are addicted to monkey dust, recovery is possible. At the Mandala Healing Center, we offer evidence-based and individualized addiction treatment. We aim to provide our clients with the best chance at long-term sobriety possible.

The Mandala Healing Center can help you achieve long-term recovery from monkey dust addiction. Contact us today for more information on how to get started and to receive a free and confidential consultation.

References:

1. NPR: ‘Bath Salts’ Drug Suspected In Miami Face-Eating Attack
2. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Synthetic Cathinones (“Bath Salts”)
3. Science Direct: Methylenedioxypyrovalerone
4. Frontiers in Psychiatry: Substance-Induced Psychoses: An Updated Literature Review
5. Oxford Academic: Postmortem Tissue Distribution of MDPV Following Lethal Intoxication by “Bath Salts”