Why Do Fentanyl Users Bend Over?

You might have seen, on a news clip or on the street, a person seemingly motionless in a crooked or bent posture. This may first appear to be a sleeping or just exhausted person. However, it is usually a sign of something far more distressing when that posture remains the same even after being nudged or talked to. This is not a sign of relaxation and is referred to as the “fentanyl fold.” Fentanyl addicts are left unable to maintain their normal posture in such a condition. Street names for fentanyl include Apache, Chinatown, He-Man, and Jackpot. It’s an alarming sign of fentanyl addiction. And it is one of the most shocking signs of the fentanyl epidemic sweeping through Florida.

What is Fentanyl Fold?

“Fentanyl Fold” is caused by the body’s core muscles becoming severely weaker as a result of fentanyl and other opioid addiction, which impairs motor function control. Motor function is our ability to regulate our body’s movements, such as walking, reaching for and catching objects, and just standing up straight. Individuals often “fold” or “bend” forward, appearing bent over, but occasionally they may begin to “lean” backwards. 

This extreme bend or fold is proof of fentanyl’s more severe impact on the human body than other opioids. 

Fentanyl’s permanent damage to the respiratory organs can also cause this fold. Fentanyl addiction results in respiratory depression, causing dizziness and shortness of breath. Users bend over involuntarily to stabilize their core and improve their breathing. 

Compared to heroin, oxycodone, or morphine, fentanyl can be up to 100 times more potent. One of the primary causes of fentanyl’s risk is its high level of potency. Because of this, fentanyl users exhibit a more dramatic “bend or fold” and a high overdose rate.

Why Do Fentanyl Users Bend Over?

There are plenty of factors that lead fentanyl addicts to bend over. Fentanyl addiction impacts the part of the brain controlling muscle coordination and motor skills, leading to the loss of control over waist muscles, resulting in that ‘bend over’ posture.

Impaired Motor Controls:

Fentanyl causes neurological changes that make users experience extreme relaxation and muscular weakness, which results in difficulties for them to maintain their posture. The user hunches over or bends over due to lack of motor control, noticeably in the neck and back muscles. This posture is a sign of the drug’s significant effects on motor processes in the brain.

Respiratory System Depression: 

Respiratory depression is one of fentanyl’s most harmful side effects. Fentanyl severely inhibits respiration, sometimes to the point of death. Fentanyl reduces oxygen supply by blood to the brain, leading to lightheadedness and vertigo, which makes them bend in an unconscious effort to steady themselves and breathe easily.

Sedation or Loss of Consciousness:

This is another frequent side effect of opioids such as fentanyl. The user slips in and out of awareness in this semi-conscious state. A person who is nodding off may slump, lean forward, or hunch over because they are unable to keep their posture straight. This may cause them to fall over and suffer serious injuries, resulting in further damage. 

Muscle Relaxation: 

Fentanyl causes extreme muscular relaxation, making it difficult for users to maintain their posture. This impacts the signals from the central nervous system that regulate muscle tone. Users may therefore slump, bend, or hunch over as their muscles become weaker.

How Fentanyl Affects the Body?

Fentanyl has a deteriorating effect on the whole body, particularly the CNS and respiratory system. Here’s how this happens:   

Potency and Immediate Effects: 

Although fentanyl can be used for medical purposes in some situations, its illegal use has become more common. The synthetic opioid ,fentanyl, has 50–100 times more potency than morphine. Once it enters the body, fentanyl rapidly binds to opioid receptors, which are found in the brain. These opioid receptors are found in your body’s natural system for controlling pain, pleasure, and certain behaviors. 

Fentanyl initially produces feelings of calmness, relaxation, or pain alleviation. The end result is a deep sedation that can even suppress respiration and other essential body functions.

It might result in: 

• Reduced blood supply to the brain
• Slowed or erratic heart rate
• Cold skin
• Confusion or forgetfulness
• Insomnia

Central Nervous System (CNS) effects:

Your brain and spinal cord are part of your central nervous system, which is impacted by fentanyl. It causes your brain’s gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and other substances to become more active. The neurotransmitter GABA slows down brain activity. Therefore, fentanyl causes a sedative and calming effect by increasing GABA levels. 

Your brain struggles to keep you awake and in control of your body as a result of this fentanyl-induced sedation. It causes a loss of muscular coordination and general body weakness. Extreme fatigue and an inability to carry out daily tasks are followed by symptoms.

Respiratory System Depression: 

Fentanyl slows down breathing, which is one of its most dangerous side effects. The part of your brain that regulates autonomic processes like breathing is affected by fentanyl. Therefore, your brain instructs your body to breathe heavily as the amount of carbon dioxide in your blood increases. Fentanyl weakens this signal, and your breathing becomes shallow and slow. Your blood oxygen levels drop as a result. 

Lack of oxygen in your body and brain increases your risks of experiencing headaches, lightheadedness, confusion, or even unconsciousness. As you fight to stay conscious, the shortage of oxygen can lead to your collapse.

Additional symptoms of respiratory depression include:

• Breathing slowly: A considerable decrease in breathing rate, below 12 breaths per minute.

• Weak pulse: Respiratory depression can be diagnosed by a slowed/weak pulse.

• Lack of oxygen: It causes cyanosis, which is characterized by the blue color of the lips, skin, or nails.

• Breathing Irregularities: Breathing patterns will start to change, or you may find yourself gasping for air.

Cardiovascular Effects: 

Fentanyl has a major effect on cardiovascular health. You might feel lightheaded, dizzy, or even faint as a result of these cardiovascular effects. Fentanyl can cause:

• Bradycardia, which causes organ malfunction and other major health problems by lowering the volume of oxygenated blood flow.

• Hypotension, which further escalates this by lowering blood pressure to essential organs.

These cardiovascular effects can be very lethal when combined with fentanyl’s potent sedation. The effects on your central nervous system can worsen due to reduced blood and oxygen circulation, increasing the possibility of serious implications for your brain.

Behavioral and Psychological Effects: 

Fentanyl alters the brain’s reward system; it produces strong emotions of euphoria or sedation. This feeling is another factor contributing to fentanyl’s high addictiveness, because users are always on the lookout for that high.

This high can cause you to lose awareness of your surroundings. Fentanyl use causes confusion, making it difficult to concentrate or think properly. You might experience hallucinations, where you see or hear things that are not there.

Fentanyl use over time might cause chronic anxiety and sadness. You go through feelings of sedation, confusion, drowsiness, and detachment from reality, as fentanyl impacts your brain’s reward center.

Why is fentanyl more addictive than other opioids?

Fentanyl is more addictive than other opioids because of its high potency and rapid onset of effects. It is estimated to be around 50 times more potent than heroin and 50–100 times stronger than morphine. This means that even very little doses, like two milligrams, can be lethal. Accidental overdoses for fentanyl are very common due to its potency when users are not aware that a product contains fentanyl. In contrast to prescribed opioids, fentanyl is produced illegally and combined with other drugs, making it hard for users to find the exact dose.

Its quick bloodstream absorption is another factor contributing to its risks. Due to its rapid effect, there is extremely little time for reaction or medical assistance. In the current opioid epidemic, fentanyl causes a lethal issue due to its high potency, short detection window, and significant overdose danger.
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