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What Does Lean Do to Your Body?

When discussing the opioid epidemic, most people think about prescription drugs, heroin, or fentanyl. However, another type of opioid concoction, called lean, has become very popular due to hip-hop rap artists and Justin Bieber. So, if you have never heard of lean, you might be wondering what it is and what does lean do to your body. 

What Is Lean?

Lean, also known as sizzurp or purple drank, is a concoction of prescription cough medicine containing codeine and promethazine mixed with sugary soda, like Sprite or Mountain Dew, and hard candies, like Jolly Ranchers. It is often served in a white styrofoam cup. 

The name lean refers to how one feels when using the drug and needs to lean because it can cause someone to lose their coordination while experiencing an extreme rush of euphoria.  

Who Uses Lean?

Lean is a popular party drug most often used by teenagers and young adults. They use it the most because they like how it takes and makes them feel relaxed and euphoric. They often consider drinking lean safer than using other types of drugs. 

However, they have no idea how the lean was mixed or if it could contain other illicit substances. Furthermore, they could easily be consuming as much as 25 times or more of the recommended dosage for codeine and promethazine.  

What Does Lean Do to Your Body?

Since lean contains codeine, an opioid, it affects the central nervous system by binding with opioid receptors in the brain. These receptors are responsible for transmitting pain signals. However, when the drug is misused, it can cause someone to feel highly relaxed, calm, and euphoric. 

Promethazine is another drug found in lean, which is a prescription antihistamine. Antihistamines can make people feel tired and sleepy. However, since it is combined with codeine and sugar, it brings about a euphoric state. 

When high amounts of lean are consumed, it can also cause someone to experience hallucinations and have an elevated sense of consciousness, which can cause “out-of-body” experiences. 

What Does Codeine Do to Your Body?

Codeine, like other opioids, forces the release of endorphins in your brain, which are the “feel good” neurotransmitters, like dopamine. The increase in endorphins is what makes someone feel pleasure while reducing pain. As such, the brain remembers this as positive behavior and will start to crave codeine. 

When you use lean over a long period, your body will slow its natural endorphins production because it relies on codeine to force the release of endorphins. In addition, the body builds a tolerance to codeine, so the feelings one experiences when using lean start to diminish. Therefore, larger amounts of lean must be consumed to achieve a euphoric state. However, as tolerance builds and someone continues to increase the amount of lean they drink, the risk of overdose also increases significantly. 

What Does Promethazine Do to Your Body?

Promethazine blocks the body’s ability to release histamines, which are natural compounds released by the body as an immune system response. For example, when someone has allergies, their body releases histamine, which can worsen their allergies. 

Promethazine can also help with cold symptoms, pain, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and anxiety. In addition, when combined with codeine or other opioids, it elevates and enhances the effects of the opioid drug.

Why Are Teens and Young People More Susceptible to Lean Addiction? 

One of the reasons lean is very popular with teens and young people is they see famous rappers and pop stars talk about using it. As a result, the drug has gained popularity on social media, which, unfortunately, results in teenagers and young people wanting to try the drug. Unfortunately, this can leave them more susceptible to lean addiction. This is because the parts of the brain responsible for pleasure develop faster in teenagers’ and young peoples’ brains than those responsible for reasoning, analyzing, and decision-making. 

As a result, they are more willing to take risks, such as trying and continuing to use lean when they enjoy its effects. Furthermore, they are more likely to find using lean socially acceptable than worry about any negative consequences that could occur from continued use. 

Lean Side Effects

  • Euphoria
  • Calmness
  • Sleepiness
  • Hallucinations
  • Elevated State of Consciousness
  • Engaging in Risky Behaviors/Poor Judgement
  • Vision Impairment
  • Constipation
  • Itchy Skin
  • Slowed Breathing and Heart Rates
  • Memory Problems/Black Outs
  • Unconsciousness
  • Respiratory or Heart Failure
  • Coma
  • Death

Lean Addiction Signs

  • Associating with “new” friends.
  • Isolating from family and friends. 
  • Looking forward to drinking lean.
  • Developing intense cravings for lean.
  • Inability to stop drinking and using lean, even when one wants to quit.
  • Mixing other drugs or alcohol with lean. 
  • Having relationship, school, work, and financial problems. 
  • Stealing money and valuables from family and friends. 
  • Engaging in drug-seeking behaviors.
  • Attempting to get multiple prescriptions for codeine/promethazine cough syrup. 

Lean Detox at our Medical Detox Center in Nashville, TN

When you or someone you care about is ready to get help quitting lean, Detox Nashville in Tennessee provides a caring, supportive, healing, and safe environment to help you take the first steps in recovery. Our luxury medical detox center offers customizable treatment plans to ensure you are successful. Start your lean detox today by contacting us

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