What's in Party Pills?

Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 April 2011 08:45

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Party Pills: Otherwise known as herbals, legal highs, social tonics...

Up until recently, party pills containing BZP (benzylpiperazine) and similar piperazine substances to BZP were a popular legal drug alternative - as of March 2008 however they have been classified as Class C drugs, the same as cannabis, making them illegal to possess, sell, buy or import. Prior to this, party pills containing BZP were easily available, cheap, and didn’t involve the risk of legal consequences. From 1 April 2008 it became illegal to sell and supply BZP and similar piperazine substances, and from 1 October 2008 it became illegal to possess and use anything which contains these substances.
This new law has sparked a mixed reaction from people. To voice your views click here to post on the message boards.

BZP & TFMPP:

(Benzylpiperazine) and TFMPP (Trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine) are the two most common ingredients in party pills or herbal highs. Although these pills are called ‘herbal highs’ the active ingredients (BZP and TFMPP) are not natural at all – they are actually artificial. Some are even called dietary supplements, implying that they replace something that’s missing in your diet – however, no normal balanced diet contains these chemicals.
BZP has stimulant-type properties, resulting in similar effects to those caused by amphetamine (NOT methamphetamine). The effects of a 100mg dose last 6 to 8 hours.
TFMPP, when combined with BZP has a mild hallucinogenic effect.

Other ingredients in party pills:

Party pills often contain a number of other ingredients. Some of these are ‘active’ and can have an effect on the central nervous system. These include Phenylalanine, which can be dangerous for some people (particularly those who suffer from the hereditary disease Phenylketonuria), and piper nigrum, tryptophan and tyrosine.