I know this question is odd, but unfortunately we have a lot of unhoused addicted people in my city. I often see them sitting on a bench bent at the waist in half like a rag doll, or standing somewhere half bent over, like stooped over nodding out I guess? I don’t really know anything about substance use, but it’s such a strange sight, what substances cause them to bend over like this?
Poor souls. The mayors of big cities here have asked the provincial government to declare a state of emergency due to homelessness and addiction being so rampant, but Doug Ford doesn’t give a shit about them.
“La chimique”. A variable, super seedy blend of lab thc, alhocol-infused tobacco and who knows what else
It is most likely Fentanyl, or some other form of opiate. Prolonged abuse causes them to lose control of their muscles around their core and this is the result.
I used to work near a hot spot for homelessness and drug use in San Francisco and witnessed it everyday. The things these people go through with that addiction are downright horrendous and the “Fentanyl Fold” or “Fent Bent” is actually one of the lesser symptoms. The skin infections, kidney problems, and digestive issues can become pretty severe. I’ve seen quite a few screaming in agony because their kidneys are messed up and they can’t urinate. People with infected swollen hands or feet. You can literally smell them rotting. Too much to list here honestly. It is a terrible drug that does permanent damage to people at best, and is just a slow agonizing death at worst.
God that sounds horrific. I had no idea.
There is a thing called “fentanyl fold”, when fent users bend over at the waist. So my guess would unfortunately be fentanyl
It’s not just fentanyl, it’s opioids in general. Junkies have been doing this long before fentanyl was available.
True, but fentanyl is really popular right now.
Ohhhhh! I didn’t know that was a thing! Thank you. Fentanyl is a real problem here so of course that would be it.
These poor people. It’s absolutely dreadful what’s happening.
It’s refreshing to find somebody with even an ounce of compassion for those folks, let alone the genuine care you have. Thanks for caring.
I’ve heard it called the “lean” locally. I’ve been told it’s from Heroin. Seems Fentanyl is also a contributor
Research has not yet pinpointed what exactly causes the fenty fold, as fentanyl use is not known to directly affect the spine. Instead, it’s becoming clear that it is a neuromuscular side effect of synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Studies from the Journal of Applied Physiology and the Harm Reduction Journal highlighted similar findings that fentanyl use can lead to severe and widespread muscle rigidity, particularly in the trunk muscles, which restricts respiration and affects posture and mobility.
Fentanyl.
I’ve known it as the heroin nod, where they are literally falling asleep on their feet.
Heroin or other opioids. It’s a problem where I live, too.
Aww. It’s so terrible to see them this way, especially because it’s been an exceptionally cold December.
Not mentioned here but there was some other drug, a tranquilizer called xylazine that was being used to cut fentanyl that I heard was largely to blame.
I heard they stand to try to stay awake and not sleep through their high, but I could be wrong.
It’s apparently a neuromuscular reaction to the drug in the spine. Called the fentanyl fold, someone told me in another comment. I wonder what the long term damage neurologically is.
It reminds me of a condition owls get sometimes where certain muscles in their neck become overstressed and can’t be used, so you have an owl that can’t stand straight. The way to treat it is a full body cast so the muscles can relax. (IIRC)
Oh interesting! Thanks for the information.
Thats the fent zombie bow
They’re in another world
opiates
there’s many street names for it but basically “the nods” makes the most sense. They are literally falling asleep
