Kristin, a 42-year-old mother of five, is addicted to a legal supplement called tianeptine, also known as gas station heroin. She sits on a trampoline in her backyard in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 9, 2023. Privacy Policy. Besides the $10 to $15 a day they spend on smokes and $500 a month in rent, almost all of their money goes toward Zazas.. Back home from the methadone clinic, she waited for the various medications to take the edge off as she chain smoked on a worn-out grey couch in her backyard, which was littered with a mishmash of items, including a trampoline, surfboards, and a Confederate flag. Licensed by the State Department of Health Care Services, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADHP), Brain zaps, or sudden nerve shocks that can be painful. In terms of classification, tianeptine is a tricyclic antidepressant. It looks like it largely relies upon GABA and 5-HTP as its main ingredients, although it also contains Lemon Balm and Caffeine. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. I did this to me. Unlike many of the prescribed antidepressants, tianeptine has practically negligible interaction with the monoamines, such as serotonin and dopamine. I came across ZaZa Red Liquid Shot at a local smoke shop. ), Kristin, 42, takes a dose of the opioid methadone, in hopes that it will curb her tianeptine cravings, at a clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 9, 2023. Florida has struggled with opioid addiction because of its history with pill mills, pain clinics that loosely prescribed prescription opioids. Late symptoms: These include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, dilated pupils, goosebumps, nausea, vomiting, cravings, and depression. I did not experience any favorable experiences from ZaZa Red, and felt it was a waste of money and time. Zaza Red Proprietary blend is comprised of: Combretum Quadrangular Leaf Tianeptine Piper Methysticum. My anxiety is stupid high, she said as she broke down in tears, covering her eyes with her hands. Zaza Red ingredients, primarily tianeptine, have a short half-life, meaning they wear off quickly. There are some sugars and vitamins, probably for flavor and energy to counteract the taste and the sedative effects the other ingredients invoke. True-Code-5259. Toxicologist unravels the dangerous medical mystery of ZaZa, Alabama's 'gas-station dope' When use of an obscure antidepressant exploded across the state, William Rushton, M.D., who directs UAB's medical toxicology program and the state's poison control hotline, began an investigation that led the Alabama Department of Public Health to halt sales. Since they dont have a car, he walks the six miles to and from a local smoke shop that sells them, which takes him more than two hours. ZaZa drug is the street name of tianeptine, an antidepressant that is approved for use in several European countries but not approved in the United States. I almost heard heavenly bells.. Sometimes her father, who she said sold coke, provided her with the drugs. So keep reading to find out everything you might want to know. Other common names for Zaza Red (tianeptine) in the United States include: Zaza White and Silver are slightly different from Zaza Red as their packages also claim to contain phenibut or kratom. Mississippi legislators have passed a bill to make tianeptine a Schedule I controlled substance, though it hasnt yet taken effect. True-Code-5259 . Those with previous opioid addictions, including Jason and Kristin, have said the withdrawal that sets in is worse than being dopesick from heroin or fentanyl. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers. There are case reports of using buprenorphine/naloxone for treatment of the withdrawal and dependence. She doesnt have many customers who buy tianeptine, but those who do, including Jason and Kristin, buy in bulk. Josh started taking a bottle and a half a day but only lasted a few weeks before he decided to quit, taking various prescription and over-the-counter medications to make himself sleepy when he was in the throes of withdrawal. Because Zaza Red is similar to antidepressants, combining it with alcohol will cause additional effects and risks. Im drinking wine because I dont have any Zazas and the store didnt have any so Im trying to warm up from the inside, she said. The term "zaza weed" first gained popularity in Google searches in March of 2020, thanks in part, but not . It's commonly sold as "Tiana," "ZAZA Red," and "Tiana Red." And it hasnt simply found favor among former opioid addicts either; academics or athletes appreciate the get-up-and-go experienced after Zaza Red use. In patients with depression who also have bipolar symptoms, tianeptine will worsen the outcomes of depression-mitigation. My permatolerance is so high that I would take 7 or 8 at a time and only once did I get a truly nice high. A couple of accidents latershe broke her neck in a car crash and fell in a ditch and broke her armand Kristin was using even stronger prescribed opioids like Dilaudid, a brand of hydromorphone. She said he stayed for a total of three weeks, doing behavioural therapy and group support, but Jorandby didnt think medications like methadone would be useful because tianeptine doesnt function exactly like an opioid. He says this is an epidemic. Kristin holds out some Zaza Red tianeptine capsules in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 9, 2023. Patients may have to take large numbers of pills every 4-6 hours to prevent withdrawal symptoms. The presence of additional ingredients can only intensify or otherwise complicate Tiannas results. JavaScript is disabled. According to a new paper published in the Journal of Clinical Toxicology, the drug structurally resembles tricyclic antidepressants, some of the earliest depression treatments. Bottles of these pills are being sold at gas stations for just $30. Reach out to our compassionate treatment specialists today. He was a great friend, but he was never really a good role model, she said. Minutes after Jason confirmed with the clerk that the store didnt have any other brands of tianeptine, Kristin called him. Im panicking. Its labeling needs more truthful details, and its general packaging leaves much to be desired. By now, youre surely wondering, what is Zaza Red? Some believe that tianeptine withdrawal is worse than a typical opioid. At Northridge Addiction Treatment Center, we are committed to taking a whole-person approach to uncover and treat the roots of your addiction. She graduated to injecting pills for six months, before going back to only taking them orally. Tianeptine has a disturbed acid profile, which contributes to yeast growth in both cases. I have to make sure that I wake up about 30 minutes before everybody so I can take my Zazas and let them start working. MAX Red (15ct), MAX White (15ct), MAX Silver (15ct), Extra Strength Red (15ct), Extra Strength White (15ct) 1 review for ZAZA Plus - Increase . Prolonged use or exceeding the recommended dosage may be habit forming. Shes worried that simply banning tianeptine would leave people in withdrawal and potentially lead them to take more dangerous drugs. You can upload: image, audio, video, document, spreadsheet, interactive, text, archive, code, other. As awareness about the drugs effects, including links to fatal overdoses, has grown, Alabama, Tennessee, Minnesota, Georgia, Oklahoma, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio have banned tianeptine. WATCH: Recovering patient describes experience using PHRENZE Red, RELATED: Drug recovery centers calling for 'PHRENZE Red' to be pulled off of store shelves, RELATED: Overdose deaths in Alabama up 31% since the pandemic. Not like kratom and much more like a traditional opioid I got sick of it because I no longer enjoy it All side effects and only a shitty high. Zaza. One man buys 10 bottles at a time, she said. On March 15th, 2021, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADHP) officially banned Zaza Red and declared all tianeptine-based products as Schedule II controlled substances illegal to sell or possess. For more information, please see our The longer and higher amounts of Zaza Red someone has been taking, the more severe the withdrawal will be. In theory, methadone could ease the desire for the drug by acting on those same receptors. This product may impair your ability to drive or operate machinery. The supplement tianeptine, sold under brands like Zaza and Tianaa Red, is causing excruciating withdrawals, leaving people broke and even suicidal. The highly addictive drug is also showing up under brand names like TD Red, ZaZa Red, Tiana, and Nootropic. I felt dizzy, disassociated (not in a good way), and overall upset that I had taken it. You need to read this if youre about to buy headshop kratom. But the daily experience for many tianeptine users is indistinguishable from traditional opioid addiction, with withdrawal symptoms including nausea, chills, restless legs, agitation, insomnia, diarrhea, and an overwhelming sense of doom. Sometimes that helps. If you or someone you know has been impacted by tianeptine addiction or a state ban on the drug, wed like to hear from you. Ingredients: Combretum Quadrangular Leaf, Tianeptine, Piper Methystricum ZAZA Red Shot Formula #1 Proprietary Blend -1.35G Ingredients: Phenibut (free amino acid ), Caffeine, GABA, 5-HTP ZAZA Red Shot Formula #2 Proprietary Blend: 850mg Lemon Balm Powder Extract, Caffeine, Gaba, 5-HTP Now save 20% use the code Daily20 at checkout + a free gift. If you see Zaza Red for sale, do not buy it. Before making any decisions regarding your health, please review your ideas and confirm all data with a licensed medical professional. This site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The presence of Tianeptine may explain the addictive nature of Za Za Red and its potential for being a life-threatening product. Many here are currently addicted, as well as former users who remain to offer advice and encouragement from the other side. The following strategies can help control diarrhea, gastrointestinal spasms, stomach pain, and vomiting caused by detox and withdrawal: Eat bland foods: White toast, white rice, and bananas may help. Basically it's just gas station dope that goes by the brand name ZAZA Red. Its definitely addictive.. (Octavio Jones/VICE News). What i do is i buy 2 bottles a week. It had been 14 hours since shed taken seven tianeptine pillshalf a bottle of a legal supplement known as gas station heroinswallowing them in one gulp and washing them down with a Monster energy drink. You Must Be 18+ to Use This Product. To learn more about tianeptine sulfate, view here. Always consult your physician prior to taking any dietary supplements. One of them is a robot that Jason is hoping to build with her sonbut Kristin said Jason hasnt had enough time off work and tianeptine to feel good enough to sit down with him and do the stuff., Kristin, 42, hugs her 11-year-old son in their front yard in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 9, 2023. However, its effects and pharmacology vary from a traditional anxiolytic and antidepressant. Because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate Zaza Red and sellers import it from overseas, there is no guarantee that each batch of Zaza Red contains the same dose or ingredients. If youre thinking about buying ZaZA Red or a similarly branded product, we urge you to read these Notes from the Field from the CDCs Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. In the UK, tianeptine is illegal to import, supply, or produce under the Psychoactive Substance Act. It doesn't . Here is a pic of the product and the ingredients. It is not approved for use in the US. This unregulated drug combo causes a sensation that appeals to recreational drug users. I miss me. Another hour-long walk later, Jason entered their home, where he found Kristin in their bed, shivering. The Marshall County Sheriff's Office said Tianeptine is a highly addictive drug that can give a euphoric high and strong withdrawal symptoms. If you Google za za red pills near me you will find several local smoke shops and convenience stores carrying Zaza Kratom products, but you are unlikely to find prices that compete with those listed online. (Octavio Jones/VICE News). Reducing withdrawals awful physical and psychological symptoms makes patients more agreeable to entering follow-up treatment programs and can reduce their risk of developing protracted withdrawal syndrome. Shes still a nice mom., As they lay on the bed, Kristins phone repeatedly went off every time she received a new text message. It can be found under the brand name of Coaxil or Stablon. The average Zaza Red pill can contain between 12 to 700 mg of tianeptine. According to Dr. Rushton, the withdrawal symptoms associated with discontinuing Zaza red are similar to normal opioid withdrawal symptoms: anxiety, nausea, muscle twitches, etc. Some offer a disclaimer that the vendors are not responsible for any misuse of the product and that only people 18 and older can buy it; some encourage repeated use. (Octavio Jones/VICE News). Tianeptine dosage is imprecise and side effects are severe. (Octavio Jones/VICE News), Normally, Jason, 34, who works a landscaping job that pays him daily, buys Zaza Red, their preferred brand and variety of tianeptine, in the evening. Known as ZaZa, Pegasus and 'gas station heroin,' tianeptine is easy to get your hands on and almost impossible to quit In 2009, 35-year-old Jordan was deployed in Afghanistan when a mortar pounded his military base. PLEASE UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS PRODUCT IS AND HOW IT WORKS, HOW IT IS USED, AND HOW TO CLEAN/MAINTAIN IT BEFORE PURCHASING - DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE CHECKING OUT - WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY MISUSE OR MISHANDLING OF PRODUCTS ONCE PURCHASED AND WILL NOT ISSUE REFUNDS FOR THESE SITUATIONS. But rather acts upon glutamatergic and glutamate mechanisms, causing the brain to adapt to depression and stress. Please refer to our rules before posting! Shortly after banning Zaza Red, Georgia, and Alabama saw an influx of unexplained, severe withdrawal cases, with some people ending up in Intensive Care Units (ICU). They look like they have a bad case of aches and pains. However, tianeptine sulfate is now also marketed on various nootropic sites, proposing that it is superior to sodium salt. Russia, Armenia, Ukraine and Turkey have classified tianeptine as a controlled substance. These deaths were related to either respiratory depression, which is typical for opioid overdoses, or cardiac arrhythmias, which have been linked to tricyclic antidepressants. Claimed Benefits: relieves cough, sore throat, laryngitis, bronchitis, asthma. There are many warnings on the bottle, including the standard disclaimers (do not consume more than 1 bottle every two days, do not use if pregnant, consult a doctor before use). The Phenibut was kicking in! More common side effects. One serving size is one bottle. The sulfate form is not significantly more potent, but it is certainly metabolized at a slower rate, meaning the dose will be more effective throughout the day. Much like any other drug, tianeptine can be developed into various salt forms to help with bioavailability, effectiveness, and overall absorption. The euphoria has mostly disappeared, she said. I have no clue exactly how much tia is in the za za red capsules but I can tell you that I was taking three capsules at a time, one to three times a day usually only dosing twice though. It takes about three to seven days for the tolerance to halve, while it takes 2 weeks to return to baseline. For example, Amazing Botanicals charges $24.99 for a 15-count of kratom extract tablets, while Peace Novelty charges $34.99 for a fifteen-count of Hush Kratom Extract Soft Gels. But typically 40 mg is more than enough to experience the effects. Vaginal Changes. Let us assist you in living the happy life you deserve. It was like, Oh wow, we get to have that feeling back without our children being taken.. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. many use ZaZa red 15ct for test-taking or that rough day at work when you are tired but must still perform use it in the morning to get yourself going and use it in the afternoon to help . In October, Jorandby treated a man who had to leave his job to deal with his tianeptine addiction. Shes no longer worried about losing custody of her child, since shes taking something legal. She shook her legs as she colored in pictures on her phone to pass the time and keep her hands occupied. Our caring and compassionate specialists are eager to help you comfortably navigate this journey to recovery. I felt so much guilt for doing that because I was pregnant. I tried the Zaza reds a few times because I heard they were stronger with the tianeptine and I was going for opiate high. Any time that people think they can find a legal way, sadly, there are some people who are willing to profit on the deaths of our people, he said, adding that the states priority is on cracking down on sales, rather than users. ZaZa Red side effects include: Nausea Vomiting Constipation Abdominal pain Headache Dizziness Vivid dreaming Drowsiness Confusion Tremors Sweating Slowed breathing Loss of consciousness Withdrawal Because ZaZa is similar to tricyclic antidepressants, mixing it with alcohol carries additional risks. (Octavio Jones/VICE News). Definitely has some recreational value, but something that can bite you hard if you're reckless about it. Some classic taper advice. One smoke shop owner in Jacksonville, who did not want to be named, told VICE News she also wants warnings included on the bottles she sells. The guy at the gas station told me they're really strong and I should start with one pill, so the first time I took 3, knowing my tolerance would cause problems. The packaging and advertising usually dont indicate thats a possibility. MUST BE 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER TO PURCHASE. And apparently it's got a very long half-life because I'm still feeling strong effects hours later. Zaza or "exotic" is a blanket term for rare, high-grade strains of cannabis. Its impacted their parenting, Kristin said. But Kristin is near the maximum methadone dose she can get, and while its eased her cravings, it hasnt stopped them. Kristin said the high she got from the Zazas was the same as the feeling she got from painkillers. Each capsule of Zaza Red contains a 700mg Blend of nootropics. Known to most as Zaza or Tianna Reds, Tianeptine has a dangerous side.The war is on Ephe. I would be good for nothing without them, Kristin said. In a clinical setting, it is suggested that tianeptine is just as effective as typical antidepressants, such as amitryptiline and fluoxetine. I have no clue exactly how much tia is in the za za red capsules but I can tell you that I was taking three capsules at a time, one to three times a day usually only dosing twice though. There is something special about ZAZA (Red, Silver, White) Capsules, reads one online ad. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. But instead of a standard alert sound, it was a recording of her sons voice, saying, I love you a lot., Like Kristin and Jason, Josh, a 43-year-old man in Illinois who didnt want his last name used, began using tianeptine after struggling with substance use disordersin his case, alcoholism and hydrocodone addiction. I felt super ill after using this product. Ingredients Combretum Quadrangular Leaf, Piper Methystricum Other Ingredients: May Contain Vegetable Capsules and Vegetable Stearate Used in Manufacturing.