Gas Station Heroin

Estimated reading time: 23 minute(s)

When you think of a gas station, a typical picture comes to mind with a handful of pumps next to a fully-stocked mini-mart. Some high-end stations may even offer high-quality clothing and food to give customers a good shopping experience as they fuel their automobiles. Additionally, some people also find gas stations a good place to load up on hot dogs and slushies, while others love picking up some energy drinks for themselves.

Of all the things you may find at a gas station, the randomly assorted supplements may perhaps seem the most out-of-place item ever. Some of these supplements offer better sleep at night, while others claim to boost your energy levels. More recently, people have been finding different types of supplements in many gas stations across the world. Known as tianeptine or gas station heroin, this supplement is being widely advertised as an easy way to boost focus and energy. However, not many people know that gas station heroin can even take their life, causing side effects and dangers similar to those triggered by opioids and heroin abuse.

So before you reach out for a bottle of gas station heroin, you must fully understand what you are choosing to put in your body and its possible effects.

What is Gas Station Heroin?

Also known as Zaza, gas station heroin is a popular street name for a compound called tianeptine. For those wondering what is tianeptine, it is a chemical previously used to manage depression in certain parts of the world. However, it has been majorly replaced by other less-harmful and more modern alternatives in the recent past. In countries where people still use it, the typical dosage is between 25 to 50 milligrams per day. However, given its opioid-like effects, some people in the United States have been using it in doses of up to 3000 milligrams per day.

Experts have warned the masses about the illegal status of gas station heroin in the country, especially since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it for medical use. Additionally, its use is banned in many states. Because the country has not fully banned it, many companies continue to hock it in various stations and online stores. Similar to kratom, an illegal plant-based drug that companies continue to illegally market and sell as a dietary supplement.

The problem with Zaza and kratom is that these substances never undergo rigorous testing to determine their safety and efficacy levels. Consequently, different companies continue to sell them under different names making people believe that they can manage various types of pain and other medical conditions.

Gas Station Heroin Tianeptine Side Effects & Potential Dangers

While gas station heroin does not have heroin in its composition, it is capable of causing similar effects. The drug may not be as potent as heroin either, but many people continue to buy and use it to maintain their opioid use. However, many of them remain unaware of the potential side effects this substance can cause.

Mentioned below are the dangers and side effects associated with the use of gas station heroin pills:

Physical Side Effects

Because tianeptine interacts with specific neuro receptors in the brain, it can lead to various physical side effects ranging from mild to severe intensity. These side effects may include nausea, pain, constipation, dizziness, and headaches. Additionally, tianeptine can also trigger physical agitation, hypertension, tachycardia, vomiting, and other problems. In higher doses, gas station heroin can make a person drowsy while making them struggle with breathing issues.

Mental Side Effects

Because of gas station heroin’s direct interaction with the brain, it can affect a user’s mental state. In safe doses, the product can elevate the user’s mental state while reducing depressive symptoms and stress. Its optimal use is also claimed to boost clarity and strengthen cognitive powers as it increases brain neuroplasticity. However, these potential benefits also come with a risk of multiple side effects, especially when abused. The common mental side effects may include anxiety or even psychosis.

Overdose

It is possible to overdose on gas station heroin, leading to life-threatening circumstances. Some common tianeptine overdose symptoms may include difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, seizures, irregular heartbeat, and coma.

Withdrawal

Abruptly stopping the use of tianeptine after using it for a long time can trigger withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms may include nausea, muscle aches, vomiting, tremors, and other dangerous reactions.

Other Effects

Tianeptine can also cause miscellaneous side effects on the body, such as liver damage, gastrointestinal issues, kidney damage, internal bleeding, and strictures. While used intravenously, the use of gas station heroin can even prove life-threatening. The injectable form of this substance can cause significant damage to the vein and skin, often requiring surgery for correction.

Side effects due to co-use

Tianeptine or Zaza can be particularly dangerous when used with other substances. Combining it with other substances not only increases the incidence and severity of side effects but also makes an overdose more likely. For instance, the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding may significantly increase in people who use tianeptine and Acemetacin. Similarly, using the substance with a benzodiazepine can increase the severity of side effects and make addiction and dependence more likely.

Interestingly, combining gas station heroin with certain natural foods may also bring damage. For instance, using it with grapefruit can inhibit the body from breaking down and eliminating the substance. As a result, the serum concentration of tianeptine may start rising, making it more dangerous.

Tianeptine Addiction and Abuse Help

There are many rehabs and healing centers offering help and support to people fighting tianeptine addiction and abuse. The treatment options included in these rehab programs include the following:

• Detoxification: The medical detoxification services help individuals safely withdraw from tianeptine without experiencing any uncomfortable symptoms or cravings.
• Inpatient Treatment: An addiction may rehab also offer inpatient treatment programs with round-the-clock support and care.
• Outpatient Treatment: These programs allow patients to continue living at home while visiting the rehab during fixed hours to engage in therapy. This flexibility allows them to continue working or attending school while seeking recovery.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment: Also known as MAT, these treatments help provide symptomatic relief so that patients can continue working toward recovery with high motivation.
• Behavioral Therapy: Different behavioral therapies, such as dialectical behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, can help patients find and overcome the potential triggers of gas station heroin addiction.

FAQs

Is Zaza similar to opioids?

Zaza or tianeptine is commonly abused because of its euphoric effects, which are quite similar to the ones produced by opioids. It is comparable to opioids due to the strength of its effects and its high potential for addiction. The use of this chemical has reportedly been associated with many harmful effects and adverse reactions. Toxicity, withdrawal, and dependence are some common phenomena that both gas station heroin and opioids may lead to.

What are some other names for tianeptine?

Tianeptine or gas station heroin may be available under different names, such as the following:

• Coaxil®
• Red Dawn
• Pegasus
• Stablon
• Tianna
• ZaZa Red

What is the legal status of gas station heroin?

The FDA negates regulating any dietary supplements, nor does it approve them before they come into the market. However, it has interfered with and sent warning letters to many companies selling tianeptine products. Due to the associated negative effects, some states have even put a pan on the use of this substance. These states include the following:

• Alabama
• Tennessee
• Indiana
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Mississippi
• Michigan
• Ohio

How to know if someone is abusing gas station heroin?

If you or someone you know has been abusing gas station heroin, the problem may lead to a few characteristic signs. Behavioral signs are one of the most common manifestations of an underlying addiction. For instance, someone abusing it may become withdrawn from family and friends, struggle to concentrate and engage in risky behaviors. A sudden shift in financial habits is another sign of underlying tianeptine abuse. Lastly, this addiction may make someone more reclusive, irritable, agitated, and an insomniac.