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Discover the truth about purple drank ingredients, their effects, and the dangers of lean consumption.
In order to explore the purple drank ingredients, it's crucial to first understand what a lean drink is and its origin.
Lean drink, also known as "purple drank," is a beverage made from codeine-based cough syrup, soda (such as Sprite, 7-Up, or Mountain Dew), and hard candy. The combination results in a purple-colored concoction consumed to achieve a dissociative euphoric high.
The origin of lean dates back to Houston as early as the 1960s, with its use spreading to other states in the South in the 1990s (Wikipedia), manifesting in the party scene in the late 1990s.
The popularity of lean surged due to its glamorization by rap and hip-hop artists, particularly those based out of Houston. These artists often mentioned the drink in their lyrics and videos, unfortunately, leading to several artists losing their lives due to the effects of this dangerous beverage.
The term "purple drank" gained nationwide attention in June 2000 with the release of Three 6 Mafia's single "Sippin' on Some Syrup" (Wikipedia). The beverage is popular in hip-hop culture, especially within the Southern United States.
Despite its popularity, lean is a hazardous substance. The super-sweet combination of soda, cough syrup, and Jolly Ranchers provides a flavor and mouthfeel that stays on the tongue for an extended duration, appealing to first-time users. However, it produces mild "euphoric side effects" on the user, accompanied by "motor-skill impairment, lethargy, drowsiness, and a dissociative feeling from all other parts of the body" (Wikipedia).
In the following sections, we'll delve deeper into the individual components of lean, its potential dangers, and the demographic trends related to its usage.
A better understanding of lean drink, also known as "purple drank," involves recognizing its ingredients. This mixture is notorious for its potentially harmful effects and its popularity in some social circles.
The key ingredient in lean is a codeine-based cough syrup. Prescription cough medicine containing codeine, a powerful opiate, is often used as the main ingredient because of its potent effects [1]. Codeine in high doses can induce a euphoric high, which is the desired effect for those who consume lean.
In addition to codeine, other preparations of lean utilize cough syrups containing substances like promethazine, hydrocodone, and dextromethorphan (Wikipedia). These substances can amplify the intoxicating effects of lean, making it a dangerous concoction when misused.
The second key component of lean is soda. Typically, sweet, fruit-flavored drinks are used to mix with the cough syrup to make it more palatable. Popular choices include Sprite, Mountain Dew, or Fanta. The soda not only masks the taste of the cough syrup but also contributes to the characteristic color of the drink (Wikipedia).
Lastly, hard candies are added to the mixture to enhance its sweetness and flavor. The most commonly used are Jolly Ranchers, which are often chosen for their vibrant colors and fruity flavors (Wikipedia). The candy not only adds to the sweetness of the drink but also gives lean its distinctive purple color.
In summary, the primary purple drank ingredients are codeine-based cough syrup, sugary soda, and hard candy. These ingredients, while seemingly innocent when used correctly, can create a potent and dangerous mixture when combined and misused. Efforts to understand these ingredients and the risks associated with them are crucial in addressing the problem of lean misuse.
While the consumption of lean, also known as "purple drank," may result in a dissociative euphoric high, it's important to illuminate the significant health risks associated with this drink. The purple drank ingredients include codeine-based cough syrup, soda, and hard candy, but the dangers extend far beyond a simple sugar rush.
The primary ingredient in lean, codeine, is an opioid that can have serious effects on the central nervous system. When consumed in high doses, lean can slow the central nervous system to a potentially fatal level. This can result in a slowed heart rate and reduced breathing, both of which can lead to respiratory depression and even overdose [2].
The risk of overdose is another significant danger associated with lean. Given the opioid nature of codeine, the risk of overdose is high, particularly when consumed in large quantities or in conjunction with other substances. An overdose of lean can lead to severe health consequences such as brain damage, organ damage, coma, or even death. Furthermore, lean can interact adversely with certain psychiatric medications and herbal supplements, thereby increasing the risk of an overdose.
Beyond the immediate risk of overdose and the impact on the central nervous system, lean consumption can result in a range of other adverse health effects. One such effect is impaired vision. Opioids like codeine, even in small amounts, can cause blurry vision, double vision, or difficulty seeing in the dark. This can present significant challenges in day-to-day life and can contribute to accidents and injuries [2].
In summary, while the consumption of lean may be popular among certain demographics, the dangers associated with its ingredients are serious and can lead to significant health repercussions. It's essential to raise awareness about these risks to deter the use of lean and promote healthier alternatives.
Understanding the demographics of lean use can contribute to the development of targeted preventative measures and interventions. It's important to consider the prevalence among different groups as well as geographic trends in lean consumption.
The use of lean, also known as purple drank, is most commonly reported among teens and young adults in social settings, such as parties [2]. This concoction of soda, hard candy, and codeine-based cough syrup is appealing to younger individuals due to its sweet taste and euphoric effects.
According to a study published on ScienceDirect, purple drank use was found to be most prevalent among Native Americans and Hispanics. The survey also revealed that males reported lean use more frequently than females. Additionally, it was found that students who identify as LGBT were more likely to use purple drank compared to their heterosexual counterparts.
Geographically, the use of purple drank has been predominantly associated with the southern United States, particularly the Houston, Texas area. However, a survey conducted at a large public university in the southeastern United States in 2011 and 2012 found that 6.5% of students self-reported having ever used purple drank, with a higher prevalence among students from urban areas.
Despite the focus on specific areas, it's important to note that the consumption of lean is not confined to these regions. The appeal of the drink's sweet taste and the accessibility of its ingredients have led to its usage becoming a broader issue that extends beyond state and regional boundaries.
Understanding the prevalence of lean use among different demographic groups as well as geographic trends can help in the development of targeted interventions and preventative measures. It's important to continue monitoring these trends to effectively address the misuse of purple drank ingredients and to mitigate its adverse health effects.
The misuse of purple drank ingredients and their resulting effects not only pose a significant health risk but also have broader social implications that are of concern.
Epidemiological data uncovered a varied spread of the misuse of the "purple drank" mixture, indicating that it's not exclusively associated with a specific type of user, as previously suggested in American newspapers and social media. Groups that were initially identified included African-American teenagers, athletes, and rappers. However, the misuse of this substance has been found to extend far beyond these demographics. The misuse of codeine cough syrup began to draw national media attention following high-profile arrests of National Football League (NFL) players and the deaths of popular rap artists. This misuse involved a mixture referred to as "purple drank," which typically includes codeine cough syrup, promethazine hydrochloride, a soft drink, and sometimes alcohol.
Owing to the widespread misuse and the serious health risks associated with consuming purple drank, there's a pressing need for further evaluation and control measures. The review of the "purple drank" phenomenon considered its clinical and social implications, emphasizing the need for new digital tools for further social and medical evaluations of this drug trend. This underscores the need for increased vigilance, thorough research, and effective education strategies to curb the spread and misuse of this dangerous concoction [4].
The consumption of 'lean' or 'purple drank,' made from codeine-based cough syrup, soda, and hard candy, can slow the central nervous system to the point of causing death when consumed at high doses [1]. There's a pressing need for comprehensive strategies that address this issue both at a clinical and a societal level to effectively mitigate the health risks and societal damage wrought by the misuse of purple drank ingredients.
[1]: https://www.ashleytreatment.org/addiction-treatment/lean-drink/
[2]: https://www.addictioncenter.com/opiates/codeine/lean-addiction-abuse/
[3]: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306460313000920
[4]: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32748711/
[5]: https://www.addictioncenter.com/opiates/codeine/lean-addiction-abuse/#:~:text=Lean%2C%20also%20known%20by%20the,%2C%20and%20the%20antihistamine%2C%20promethazine.
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At Wellbrook Recovery we’re committed to helping you reclaim your life from drug and alcohol addiction with comfort and dignity. We dedicate all of our resources and expertise to help every individual in our care find peace and lasting recovery by providing them a tailored program with all levels of treatment. Our complete care encompasses all aspects of the addiction, rehabilitating their physical, mental, and emotional health.
Our individualized approach to treatment ensures that each person receives the care and support they need to achieve lasting recovery.
Let our expert staff help bring you to be your best self, with comfort, dignity, privacy and professionalism. We treat the person, not just the addiction. Wellbrook offers a recovery experience like no other in Wisconsin.
