Lean, also known as “purple drank” or “sizzurp,” is a homemade concoction. This article clarifies what lean is, how it affects the body, its legal standing, and the serious health consequences associated with its use.
Understanding Lean’s Composition
Lean primarily consists of prescription-strength cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine. This syrup is commonly mixed with a soft drink, such as Sprite or Mountain Dew, and often includes hard candy like Jolly Ranchers for added flavor and color. As an illicitly prepared mixture, its potency can vary significantly depending on how it is made.
How Lean Affects the Body
Lean produces its effects through the combined action of its ingredients. Codeine is an opioid that acts on the central nervous system, leading to euphoria, pain relief, and sedation. It also depresses the respiratory system, which can slow breathing. Promethazine, an antihistamine, contributes to the sedative effects and can also act as an antiemetic, reducing nausea.
The combination of codeine and promethazine intensifies the depressant effects on the central nervous system, creating a “high” characterized by drowsiness and slowed reactions. This synergistic effect increases the risk of respiratory depression, where breathing becomes dangerously slow or shallow. Immediate effects can include slowed heart rate, dizziness, impaired motor skills, and confusion.
The Legal Standing of Lean
While “lean” itself is not a distinct controlled substance, its active components, codeine and promethazine, are regulated. Codeine is classified as a controlled substance in the United States, typically Schedule II or III depending on its formulation.
Promethazine is a prescription-only medication. Its recreational use, especially when combined with other substances, is illegal. Possessing, distributing, or manufacturing lean without a valid prescription for the cough syrup is against the law due to the presence of these controlled substances. Penalties can include fines and imprisonment.
Serious Health Consequences
The consumption of lean carries serious health risks, due to the unpredictable potency of homemade mixtures and the depressant effects of its ingredients. A severe danger is respiratory depression, which can lead to life-threatening oxygen deprivation to the brain and other organs. Overdose is a concern, especially when lean is combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants, as this amplifies the sedative and respiratory effects.
Regular use of lean can lead to physical dependence and addiction, with users experiencing withdrawal symptoms if they stop consumption. These symptoms can include agitation, anxiety, muscle aches, insomnia, and gastrointestinal issues. Health problems include seizures and neurological damage due to oxygen deprivation. Long-term use has also been associated with liver damage, kidney issues, and dental problems due to the high sugar content.