ORN Summer 2026 - An Overview of Tusi (“Pink Cocaine”): A Novel Drug Concoction that Typically Contains Both Ketamine and Stimulants-2026-08-12

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Joseph Palamar discussed “2C,” also known as “pink cocaine,” explaining that it is not a single drug but a highly variable pink or purple powder mixture, usually containing ketamine plus other substances such as MDMA, cocaine, methamphetamine, caffeine, or sometimes fentanyl/xylazine. He emphasized that the name “pink cocaine” is misleading because it is not a form of cocaine, and the contents can differ widely by batch and location.<br /><br />He reviewed international and U.S. testing data showing that actual 2C-B is rarely present in products sold as 2C. Instead, ketamine is the most common component. He also described the appeal of the substance in club and party settings, noting that it is marketed to young people and has been linked to media attention following celebrity deaths and news coverage.<br /><br />The talk covered the effects and risks of the major components: ketamine’s dissociation, memory problems, K-hole experiences, bladder damage, and overdose risks when combined with alcohol or opioids; MDMA’s euphoria and post-use “crash”; cocaine’s cardiovascular dangers; and methamphetamine’s long-lasting stimulant effects and paranoia. He stressed that mixing these drugs creates unpredictable and potentially dangerous outcomes.<br /><br />Palamar concluded that better surveillance, drug-checking, and public education are urgently needed because current surveys and toxicology systems often fail to identify 2C accurately or distinguish it from its component drugs.

Keywords

pink cocaine

2C

ketamine

MDMA

cocaine

methamphetamine

drug checking

polydrug mixture

club drugs

toxicology surveillance