Synthetic Counterfeits: An Interview on Modern Drug Analogs

Interview Date: May 28, 2024
Interviewers: phØBoŠ, hŮmAnǿ1Đ, Pavluu
Guest: ChemGor (owner of the Entropy channel, chemical supplier, and industry insider)

1. THC and Its Synthetic Analogs

Pavluu: Hi! We’ve briefly introduced you, so let’s get started. Today, we’d like to talk about synthetic analogs of various psychoactive substances (PAS), especially those available on our market. We know you’re more than competent on the subject, so let’s dive right in.

Let’s start with synthetic cannabinoids. How relevant are they on the market right now? Are they used to substitute and sell as natural THC?

ChemGor: Synthetic cannabinoids are used worldwide, not just in Russia as some might think. In Russia, their popularity depends on the region and city. For example, in St. Petersburg, they’re widely used, while in Nizhny Novgorod, they’re almost nonexistent. Currently, there are two types of cannabinoids: fully synthetic ones like JWH-018 and its modifications, and newer types like Delta-8, Delta-9, HHC-P, and other recent innovations.

They are definitely used for substitution, and quite actively. There are many ways to create a product that’s indistinguishable from the original isolate or even buds. In Europe, fake vape liquids, wax, and other concentrates are common. In Russia, we mostly get counterfeit isolates.

phØBoŠ: Are these synthetic THC analogs hard to distinguish from the real thing, or can an experienced user tell the difference?

ChemGor: There are combinations of cannabinoids that might make even an experienced user doubt, but it could just feel like a bit of paranoia from good weed.

phØBoŠ: Delta-8/9 is well-known in the West and openly sold, with tests available for different cannabinoids. Is there any way for an average user here to detect a fake?

ChemGor: I don’t see any way to detect it without chemical analysis. I haven’t seen such test kits here. Personally, I avoid all store-bought products now. You could try extracting reagents, but it’s complicated.

Pavluu: I’ve heard that old, poorly stored hash is sometimes soaked with JWH-018 or other THC analogs to restore potency. Do shops do this, or do they get fakes from the start?

ChemGor: Both happen. I’ve seen people try to restore 10kg of “dry” hash with reagents similar to the natural product. In Europe, they produce a lot of natural but weak CBD bases, which are then turned into fake isolates and shipped everywhere.

phØBoŠ: Are there any aftereffects from synthetic cannabinoids that could indicate you smoked a fake THC product?

ChemGor: You’ll likely have a stronger craving to smoke, and without the chemical isolate, you can’t eat or sleep, and you might sweat at night—even if you smoked regular THC.

Pavluu: Have you tried any of these yourself?

ChemGor: Unfortunately, yes. A few years ago, I smoked Diablo hash from Moldova for a week and realized I’d fallen into that trap.

To make this hash, you need three ingredients: terpenes (for smell), a base (any hash base), and a reagent (for effect). It’s basically like spice, but with terpenes. For example, ZKittles, which many love, is like that.

phØBoŠ: What’s the profitability of this kind of trade, especially with substitution?

Assuming you already have equipment and leftover fertilizers, growing 1g of high-quality bud costs 100–250 rubles and sells for 2,000–3,000 rubles—a 1,000% margin. What about synthetics?

ChemGor: The main question is legality. In most European countries, producing synthetic isolates is legal. It’s much cheaper if you do it wholesale, and you don’t have to wait for plants to grow—you can sell immediately.

Pavluu: Last question in this section: How relevant is the spice market in Russia in 2024? Is it openly sold?

ChemGor: It’s a niche with money and demand, but not enough supply yet. With hash costing 2,500 rubles and lasting only a night, many are turning to cheaper synthetic options, which are becoming more common.

2. Stimulant Analogs

hŮmAnǿ1Đ: Where did all the amphetamine go? Any thoughts?

ChemGor: The common theory is that it was intentionally wiped out. But there are nuances: precursors were replaced with Chinese analogs, and the market started making whatever was cheaper and easier. Professional cooks don’t care what they make.

hŮmAnǿ1Đ: Are amphetamines made from these precursors more dangerous?

ChemGor: The problem is, with new precursors, we never fully understand their effects on the body.

hŮmAnǿ1Đ: Salt (synthetic cathinones) has taken over the market, but amphetamine is still available. Is it real or substituted?

ChemGor: Most likely, it’s close analogs.

Pavluu: Anything from this list?

ChemGor: In our case, it’s usually 4-Fluoroamphetamine.

hŮmAnǿ1Đ: What about salt analogs like a-PPP, a-PHP? Are they on the market?

ChemGor: They’re probably everywhere, but only the end user can really tell—sometimes after running naked down the street.

hŮmAnǿ1Đ: What about cocaine analogs? Do they exist, and what do they cost?

ChemGor: They exist—there are analogs for every substance and more. Research chemicals (RCs) are a huge business with more categories than classic drugs. There’s a rumor that a group in China, under special services, sells a cocaine analog structurally identical to fishscale cocaine in Russia, but I haven’t seen it myself. I have seen very similar analogs, though—they look just like good fishscale, with the same shine and texture.

3. Modern Opiates

Pavluu: Heroin is out of fashion; everyone’s on “honey” (methadone). Is it because of stronger addiction, or was heroin pushed out for other reasons?

ChemGor: Heroin still exists in tight circles, but there’s more methadone now. Even Tajiks are getting into it for obvious reasons.

hŮmAnǿ1Đ: Is there anything stronger than methadone? Fentanyl?

ChemGor: Yes. Fentanyl is just the beginning.

Pavluu: Is it available here?

ChemGor: No, or if so, only locally and very rarely. It’s unofficially banned by both law enforcement and marketplaces.

Pavluu: Here, it’s only used as an anesthetic in surgeries. What synthetic opiates are trending globally?

ChemGor: Mainly fentanyl and its analogs, oxycodone, and new Chinese analogs like MX, I-MX, etc. Most opiates go to the US, where pills (oxycodone, etc.) are the main form, not powders.

Pavluu: Do you think the opioid crisis in the US and Canada is a deliberate Chinese strategy, or just about profit?

ChemGor: The facts speak for themselves: a kilo of substance that can make a million pills costs up to $8,000. I doubt they buy it by the ton, but maybe I’m wrong. The profit is strange—$8,000 per month per sale, and the same amount per day for shipping to Russia. It could be a side business or something much worse.

phØBoŠ: I remember “white Chinese” on the market—what’s replaced it?

ChemGor: That was fentanyl.

phØBoŠ: Naloxone is now recommended for every opioid user to prevent overdose, right?

ChemGor: Yes, that’s correct. I hope no one neglects it—it’s important these days.

phØBoŠ: Is methadone replacement therapy effective, or just state-sanctioned opiate sales?

ChemGor: I don’t have a clear opinion. I think we should address the root cause, not just the symptoms.

4. A Few Words on Empathogens and Psychedelics

phØBoŠ: Have you seen MDMA analogs on the market?

ChemGor: Of course, it’s not rare. The milder, more pleasant analog is usually MDA (the European version), while the harsher, more toxic one is Chinese Eutylone.

Pavluu: There are Telegram posts listing various mephedrone analogs. Is substitution common here, and does it make sense?

ChemGor: Not really. Flephedrone is more common in Europe. Making analogs is complicated and not worth it—it’s easier to just make mephedrone than to find precursors for analogs.

Pavluu: I’m not a chemist, but it seems like mephedrone quality has dropped in recent years. Has the synthesis method changed?

ChemGor: They still use BK-4 (bromoketone, banned in Russia since 2019). The issue is who’s making it, their qualifications, equipment, lab conditions, and especially the final purification. There are too many amateurs now, and that’s the main problem.

Pavluu: How easy is it to become a mephedrone cook without experience?

ChemGor: No comment.

phØBoŠ: What about psychedelics? We’ve written about LSD-25 often being replaced with N-BOME or DOB/DOI. Any thoughts?

ChemGor: As with mephedrone, substitution is unlikely except for the ones you mentioned. These are rare and unpopular substances, hard to synthesize or source. No one bothers with them.

5. The Sudden Finale

Pavluu: We’ve touched on China and the idea that their government is intentionally spreading drugs worldwide. Can you elaborate?

ChemGor: As conspiratorial as it sounds, I’m convinced Chinese intelligence has a division responsible for distributing drugs and their components globally.

hŮmAnǿ1Đ: Opium Wars 3.0?

ChemGor: Worse. They really decide who gets what and where. China is the world’s main dealer. The scary part is that, in Russia, we allow ourselves to be flooded with these drugs. It’s all at the state level, so I won’t comment further.

hŮmAnǿ1Đ: Do you think there’s a logic to their choices?

ChemGor: Yes, I do. In Europe, they send everything for club drugs: ecstasy, pure MDMA, amphetamine, sometimes mephedrone. In the US, it’s an opioid epidemic, organized by them. In Russia, it’s all for alpha-PVP, mephedrone, spice, and other “weapons of mass destruction,” shipped daily by train and truck.

phØBoŠ: Is this a centralized process, or are there many small producers exporting stealthily?

ChemGor: I believe there are many factories in China, running non-stop and overseen by intelligence. They make precursors.

hŮmAnǿ1Đ: So it’s a legal and relatively transparent business?

ChemGor: Not transparent, but legal. All these precursors are legal there. They ship them worldwide, and it’s up to you to decide whether to make drugs or medicine. The scale is terrifying.

ChemGor: All drugs except marijuana, cocaine, and Afghan heroin start in China. They control the market. If they stop shipping one precursor, demand for another drug rises. They’re monopolists and control the global drug flow, except for the substances I mentioned. Even the disappearance of spice was their decision, not ours.

hŮmAnǿ1Đ: What’s their ultimate goal?

ChemGor: As I said, it’s probably not just commercial. Sometimes the prices are surprising. The Chinese are running experiments on a massive scale, testing how their latest creation catches on, whether it’s a synthetic opioid for the US or something else. Every year, it gets more hardcore.

For example, in the US, it’s now common to mix synthetic opioids into Xanax and other popular pills. See the photos below. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg—I don’t even want to go further.

[Photos: Unknown substances]

It’s important to understand that governments don’t really fight drug trafficking—it’s pointless. Instead, they try to regulate it, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. Overall, it’s easier to participate than to resist. And China is the main player and organizer.

Pavluu: I agree with every word. I think that’s enough for our cozy chat. Damn those Chinese, I never liked them. Thanks for such a heartfelt and at the same time terrifying conversation! I hope it gives readers something to think about.

phØBoŠ: Thanks, man! Great talking to you. My mind is blown.

hŮmAnǿ1Đ: I’m shocked by what I’ve read.

Pavluu: Thanks again!

ChemGor: Thanks for having me, guys. It was a pleasure, even if the topic wasn’t pleasant. See you next time.

Your friends, Zvezda Smerti and Entropy