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Harmful effects of gorilla tobacco
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According to the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the tobacco's substances are absorbed by the lungs followed by other parts of the body, including the brain, after being smoked. (Shuterstock/File)
T
embakau Super Cap Gorilla (Gorilla brand “super tobacco”) has once again absorbed the attention of the Indonesian public.
An anonymous rehab patient in Yayasan Harapan Permata Hati (Yakita) foundation in Ciawi in Bogor, West Java, who consumed the so-called gorilla tobacco and several other synthetic cannabises like Ganesha, Nataraja and Hanoman for two years, opened up about this experience.
“My body has tremors or makes sudden movement now,” said the patient on Wednesday as quoted by tempo.co. The patient also shared how short memory loss at times was common as well as changes in behavior.
(Read also: Ill-equipped rehab centers left staggering)
According to the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the tobacco's substances are absorbed by the lungs followed by other parts of the body, including the brain, after being smoked. Its users will feel like they are being crushed in a gorilla’s embrace when using the tobacco, hence the name. The synthetic cannabinoid-type of drug can also induce effects such as psychotic episodes, agitation, aggression, anxiety, ideas of suicide as well as withdrawal and addiction syndrome.
“Some of the cases include ischemic strokes, hypertension, chest pain, severe kidney failure or even heart attacks,” said BNN spokesperson Kombes Slamet Pribadi.
However, despite the aforementioned effects, the drug named AB-CHMINACA by BNN has yet to be ruled by law. “But, the draft is currently being finalized by the Health Ministry in order to be classified as tier 1 narcotics,” added Slamet. (mas/kes)
