“Lean” has almost become synonymous with the production of rap music over the years. It made the headlines back in September when rapper Mac Miller, 26, was found dead at his home on September 7th, 2018, after what coroners later determined to be a fatal “mixed drug toxicity” was found in his bloodstream.
Many US rappers are known to imbibe the concoction, such as the late Mac Miller, Lil Wayne, and Future, who have all written songs about the drink. But what the hell is it you may be asking?
“Lean,” which is known by many other amusing slang names such as Sizzurp, Purple jelly, Texas tea, and Dirty Sprite, is a concoction of prescription-strength cough medicine combined with soda and hard candies like Jolly Ranchers.
The drink has been popularised by celebrities including Rob Kardashian, Soulja Boy, and Justin Bieber, who have posted themselves enjoying the cocktail on social media.
What’s worrying is that these rappers and celebs have spiked an increase in the amount of people making a drinking Sizzurp who are posting to emulate some of their favorite stars. Check out this vice.com report:
So what’s the big deal?
Lean is dangerous and addictive as its primary ingredient is usually codeine, which is an opioid. The effects of large amounts of codeine are likened to those of heroin or morphine.
In recommended doses, codeine is perfectly safe; however, the inordinate amount of codeine in the average dose of lean can be up to 25 times the recommended dose, which can lead to brain or bodily damage and overdose.
Lean can also contain another potentially dangerous drug, a nervous system depressant known as Promethazine. Typically used as an antihistamine or to treat nausea, Promethazine, in conjunction with codeine, can slow breathing to the point of complete respiratory arrest.
For a more in-depth look at how dangerous Texas tea can be, check this out: https://drugabuse.com/library/lean-purple-drank/
Stay safe kids, don’t do drugs, stay in school, do your taxes, erm….change your underwear daily? Here’s some other drug related news.
https://www.trillmag.com//28791/drugs/by-smoking-cannabis-you-are-less-likely-to-use-harder-more-dangerous-drugs/
