What Is Pink Cocaine?
Pink cocaine is a new designer drug. It’s typically a powdery mix of ketamine and illegal substances likely dyed with food coloring. Sometimes it may have a sweet smell, like strawberries.
The drug, which originally came from Colombia, has grown in popularity in the U.S. and other regions around the world. Pink cocaine hasn’t been around very long, so researchers don’t know much about the long-term effects it may have on people who use it.
Other names for pink cocaine include:
- Tusi
- Tuci
- Tusibi
- Tucibi
The nickname tusi/tuci comes from how it sounds when you say 2C -- a group of psychedelic drugs that may have originally been in pink cocaine. New batches hardly ever have 2C drugs in them.
Is pink cocaine actually cocaine?
No, at least not entirely.
Street drugs aren’t regulated by the government, so there’s no way to know exactly what’s in pink cocaine. But despite the name, this drug isn’t just colorful cocaine. In fact, it may not have any cocaine at all.
Researchers have found that most samples of pink cocaine include a mix of ketamine along with one or more of the following:
- MDMA (also called ecstasy or molly)
- Methamphetamine
- Cocaine
- Opioids
- New psychoactive substances (NPS)
NPS are a new kind of synthetic drug. They make you feel like drugs that already exist, such as cannabis and cocaine. But they’re chemically a little different and may not show up on current drug tests. That’s why they’re sometimes referred to as “legal highs.” But they’re not any safer.
Pink cocaine may also include:
- Caffeine
- Benzodiazepines or “benzos”
- Bath salts (the stimulant kind, not the ones you sprinkle in baths)
- Mescaline, LSD, or other hallucinogens
There’s concern that some batches may have fentanyl in them. But there’s not enough research to know if suppliers commonly put this powerful painkiller in pink cocaine.
How Does Pink Cocaine Make You Feel?
Pink cocaine often includes both stimulants and depressants. This mix of “uppers” and “downers” is sometimes referred to as a “speedball.”
You may not be able to predict how you’ll feel when you take pink cocaine. The effects depend on several things, including:
- The type of drugs in your pink cocaine
- How much you take
- Your drug tolerance
- How your body reacts to drugs
- Whether you use alcohol or use other substances at the same time
Your high may feel strongest within 1-3 hours, but the effects of pink cocaine may linger for 4-8 hours.
Small amounts of pink cocaine may:
- Boost your heart rate
- Make you feel excited or happy
- Make your senses more sensitive
What are the side effects of pink cocaine?
Your side effects may be mild to severe. It depends on how much you take and what’s in it. Potential side effects include:
- Strange thoughts or confusion
- Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there
- Feeling sick to your stomach
- Agitation
You might also have physical effects like:
- High blood pressure
- Breathing changes
- Low body temperature
- Seizures
Rarely, you may get something called excited delirium. If this happens, your heart may suddenly stop beating, also known as cardiac arrest. You could die if you don’t get medical treatment right away.
Does pink cocaine have long-term effects?
If you use pink cocaine a lot, the stimulant effect can damage your heart and blood vessels. Ongoing drug use may also change your brain.
Long-term effects from chronic use of pink cocaine, particularly the kind with ketamine and MDMA in it, may include:
- Sleep an/or personality changes
- Memory problems
- Depression or anxiety
- Trouble paying attention
What Are the Risks of Using Pink Cocaine?
Pink cocaine includes a mix of drugs that can affect you in different ways. This combo can trigger side effects that are uncomfortable, scary, or harmful.
Like with other drugs of abuse, you may develop an addiction and tolerance (meaning you need more to have the same high). You may have withdrawal symptoms if you use pink cocaine a lot and then go without it, which can make it hard to stop using it.
This drug is also made in unregulated labs, so there’s no way to know how strong of a dose you’re getting or what substances you’re taking. You might have symptoms you can’t handle or overdose without meaning to.
Pink Cocaine Harm Reduction
The only way to avoid the risks of pink cocaine is to not use it. But if you decide to use it, there are ways to lessen the chances of something bad happening.
Use these pink cocaine harm reduction tips:
Consider drug checking. While pink cocaine usually has multiple substances in it, certain tests may tell you a little more about your batch. Drug checking isn’t easily available everywhere. But nonprofit groups such as DanceSafe or harm reduction programs in your area may be good resources.
You should also:
Have someone with you. A sober friend can call for medical help if you need it.
Take a lower dose. Try a small amount of pink cocaine. Wait to see how you feel.
Don’t mix substances. It’s dangerous to combine drugs, including alcohol.
Call 911 or ask someone to get medical help right away if you see signs of an overdose from pink cocaine (or other drugs). These symptoms include:
- Trouble staying awake
- Passing out
- Seizure
- Agitation that lasts longer than 15 minutes
- Chest pain or trouble breathing for longer than 15 minutes
Emergency workers aren’t there to judge you or report you to the police. All states have some version of Good Samaritan laws, which protects people who call for help during an overdose. Learn the specific laws in your area.
Is pink cocaine addictive?
Drugs found in pink cocaine are highly addictive, and you may not be able to stop using them on your own. Talk to your doctor if you need help quitting. They can refer you to a mental health professional who can help address your substance use disorder.
Treatment for pink cocaine addiction or any substance use disorder may include:
- Medical detox to ease withdrawal symptoms
- Behavioral therapy
- Medication, especially if you use other drugs like opioids
- Group therapy
- Peer support groups
- Treatment for other mental health conditions
Ask your doctor, therapist, or a licensed drug and alcohol counselor how you can get ongoing support to manage your cravings and lessen the chances of a relapse. Other resources include SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 800-662-HELP and FindTreatment.gov.
Pink Cocaine FAQs
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about pink cocaine.
Is pink cocaine legal?
No. Pink cocaine is an illegal substance.
How is pink cocaine made?
Recreational drugs like pink cocaine are typically made in illegal local labs or “kitchens.” Each supplier uses their own mix of substances. There’s no way to know exactly how your product is made or what’s in it.
Are there any medicinal uses of pink cocaine?
No. There is no medical use for pink cocaine. It’s an illicit, recreational drug that can be addictive.
How is pink cocaine different from real cocaine?
Pure cocaine is a stimulant drug made from the coca plant. Pink cocaine is typically a mix of synthetic drugs such as ketamine and MDMA. While the cocaine you buy off the street may have other things added to it, pink cocaine may not include any actual cocaine.
