We’ve all seen the little dietary supplements at gas stations: the ones that are supposed to give you energy while driving or improve your immune system. But some dietary supplements aren’t what they seem. Clever packaging allows drugs that elicit mood-altering responses to hide amidst the gas station shelves.
What is a gas station pill?
Gas station pills are the types of supplements you can find at mini-marts or shops where you pump your gas. Sometimes, these “supplements” are intentionally misleading. They may come in different forms like liquids, powders, etc. While some may help with energy or give you a dose of B vitamins, others harbor potentially addictive or destructive ingredients.
Gas stations are nontraditional places to purchase supplements. They are not robust like a grocery store or well-regulated like a pharmacy, which allows companies to sell potentially dangerous substances in plain sight.
When a product is sitting on a shelf at a store, casual buyers don’t often question whether it’s safe. In the United States, it often feels like products filter through several layers of testing before someone confirms their safety and distributes them. Because of this, many unsuspecting people purchase gas station pills, believing there’s no risk.
Food and household items sold at grocery stores and the like are seldom dangerous— why would something innocuous be at a gas station?
This is exactly how these substances “hide in plain sight.” The FDA regulates a number of products, but the line blurs when it comes to dietary supplements.
What does it mean for a product to be regulated by the FDA?
When something is “FDA approved,” the FDA has considered it safe and effective for its intended use. It’s gone through rigorous testing, and the FDA has determined that its benefits outweigh its associated risks.
If something is “FDA regulated,” that just means it’s under the FDA’s jurisdiction, which extends to a number of things, like food, over-the-counter and prescription drugs, vaccines, cosmetics, and dietary supplements. The FDA must approve high-risk items like pace-makers and prescription drugs, but FDA approval for the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements and cosmetics is not their responsibility but falls upon the manufacturers of those products.
Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), as long as a supplement contains ingredients that are “generally recognized as safe,” then it may be marketed without FDA approval.
However, some products on shelves at gas stations include ingredients that are not “generally recognized as safe.” Drugs like phenibut, kratom, and tianeptine may trigger an opioid-like response in consumers. This is dangerous if the consumer has a history of addiction or is in recovery from opioid use.
However, their presence at non-traditional health shops (convenience stores) allows them to slip under the radar as “dietary supplements.” Once a supplement is on the market, the FDA may intervene if it’s misbranded.
Trending and emerging drugs such as fentanyl, delta-8, and tianeptine are making their way into the lives of many Americans. Fentanyl is being mixed with other recreational drugs and sneaking its way into the counterfeit prescription drug industry. Delta-8 is sold in states where THC is legal and illegal, and it may produce similar effects. Gas station supplements are unregulated by the FDA. A variety of potentially addictive or destructive ingredients may be found in these “safe” products.
Let’s take a look at some of these emerging drugs:
- Fentanyl: Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine. It takes 2 mg or less of fentanyl to kill an adult who is not opioid-tolerant. In comparison, this is the same amount as several grains of salt. Criminal drug networks are mass-producing counterfeit pills and falsely selling them as legitimate prescription pills. Drug dealers are now adding fentanyl to these fake prescription pills, counterfeit opioid medications, and other drugs such as ecstasy due to its potency, which makes it relatively inexpensive.
- Tianeptine: Also known as ZaZa Red, it is an addictive, unregulated drug sold as a supplement in gas stations. Because it’s often sold as a “dietary supplement” online and in gas stations or minimarts, people are unknowingly becoming addicted. Rising cases of overdoses have alarmed the FDA. Although it’s not an opioid, it interacts with the body in a similar way to opioid drugs. It’s addictive, abuseable, and easy to overdose on.
- Delta-8: Delta-8 is a psychoactive substance found in the cannabis plant. This substance is made synthetically from CBD or delta-9 THC because it is not naturally found in large amounts in the plant and can be sold in states where THC is legal and illegal, due to it being a different component than the traditional illegal delta-9 THC. The FDA has not evaluated or approved delta-8 products for use and has received reports of adverse effects such as hallucinations, vomiting, loss of consciousness, and more.
- Phenibut: A central nervous system depressant that works similarly to Xanax. It may have labels that say “anxiety reliever” or “mood enhancer. ” Phenibut may be addictive, and it’s possible to overdose on it. A phenibut overdose manifests similar symptoms to those of an opioid overdose. However, opioid reversal drugs like Narcan do not work on phenibut, making this supplement very dangerous.
- Phrenze: A combination of kava extract and phenibut. Taking too much can result in an overdose. It may produce an opioid-like effect for users, but like phenibut, opioid-reversal drugs do not work on it. Phrenze may be marketed as a mood enhancer. It’s possible to become addicted to it and suffer from withdrawal symptoms.
- Erectile Dysfunction Pills: Supplements claiming to be a quick fix to erectile dysfunction (ED) may contain undisclosed amounts of sildenafil or tadalafil – the main ingredients in Viagra and Cialis. This is dangerous as it could cause a drop in blood pressure, impacting those with underlying health conditions. Even the ED pills claiming to be safe herbal alternatives may be dangerous. Blood clotting, stomach aches, and diarrhea are just a few of the possible symptoms.
- Ashwagandha: A popular herb for its stress and anxiety-relieving properties. It is possible to take too much, causing upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting. On occasion, taking too much over a long period of time has led to liver damage. Since it’s considered a dietary supplement in the United States, it is not regulated by the FDA.
How do I keep myself safe from gas station substances?
It may feel overwhelming to learn about companies “hiding” drugs on shelves. There are a few ways to keep yourself from accidentally consuming something with negative consequences.
- Check Ingredients
- Although gas station pills are unregulated— so there’s no guarantee what chemicals are inside— they do have some ingredients listed to communicate to regular buyers. If something innocuous claims to be “anxiety-reducing,” check the package for an ingredient like phenibut.
- Additionally, the packaging for many of these gas station supplements is bright and colorful as they try to market to teens and young adults. Look out for the words “dietary supplement” and images of cannabis leaves, droppers, or other substances on the packaging.
- Be Skeptical of Claims
- If a product claims to eliminate anxiety— will it? Or will it offer short-term relief? Don’t let something with claims like “brain-boosting,” “mood enhancing,” or “increase cognition” fool you. These claims have not been properly evaluated for accuracy.
- Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
- If you’re looking to begin taking a supplement, consult with a healthcare provider first. Even dietary supplements you find in traditional drug stores may negatively interact with other medications. If you have pre-existing health conditions, consider speaking with a professional before adding a new drug to your routine.
Have a question we didn’t cover?
If you or someone you know often patronizes the gas station’s menagerie of quick fixes, the Missouri Poison Center is open 24/7 to answer any questions you might have. Every call is confidential and free. Speak with one of our experts at 1-800-222-1222.
If someone you know has taken a substance and is nonresponsive or short of breath, call 911 immediately.
All content posted from Hiding in Plain Sight: Gas Station Pills.
