Hazardous Substances
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
Street names: Cal poppy, Eschscholzia, Cup of gold
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Mildly sedating isoquinoline alkaloids (protopine) — chamomile-strength, not opium
⚠Key risks
- CONFUSION RISK: the name invites association with opium poppy — it contains NO morphine; the confusion cuts both ways (false reassurance buyers, and mistaken drug tests are not a thing — different chemistry)
- Very low harm; pregnancy caution
- The actual risk is buying 'california poppy' that is adulterated with real poppy material
✚Overdose signs
- Mild sedation, nausea at high doses
Category comparison — Hazardous Substances
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) | Legal herb | CONFUSION RISK: the name invites association with opium poppy — it contains NO morphine; the confusion cuts both ways (false reassurance buyers, and mistaken drug tests are not a thing — different chemistry); Very low harm; pregnancy caution | $5–$12 per ounce |
| Potassium Cyanide (KCN) | Not a drug — regulated toxic chemical | Lethal dose ~200–300 mg — death within minutes to an hour; No antidote available outside hospital; hydrogen cyanide gas from acid contact | N/A — sometimes sold fraudulently as 'peaceful exit' scams |
| Air Duster (Computer Duster / Canned Air) | Household product — not a drug; no age restriction on purchase | SUDDEN SNIFFING DEATH — the most deadly inhalant: difluoroethane sensitizes the heart to adrenaline; a sudden fright, chase, or exertion triggers fatal cardiac arrest. First-time users die; Frostbite to lungs and airway from direct spray | $3–$8 per can at any electronics/office store |
| Gasoline / Petrol Huffing | Not a drug — fuel product | Extremely toxic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, xylene); Sudden sniffing death — cardiac arrest | Effectively free — siphoned fuel |
| Glue / Solvent Sniffing | Not drugs — adhesives and solvents | The CLASSIC youth inhalant — peak use age 14–15; Sudden sniffing death from cardiac arrest | $1–$5 per tube/can — pocket money prices |
| Refrigerant / Freon Huffing | Not a drug — HVAC refrigerant | EXTREMELY dangerous — refrigerant gases (difluoroethane, tetrafluoroethane) cause sudden cardiac death at high rates; Frostbite to airways | Stolen/siphoned — no price, high death cost |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) look like?
Dried aerial parts; orange-flowered California state flower; mild sedative teas/tinctures
What are the signs of a California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) overdose?
Mild sedation, nausea at high doses Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
CONFUSION RISK: the name invites association with opium poppy — it contains NO morphine; the confusion cuts both ways (false reassurance buyers, and mistaken drug tests are not a thing — different chemistry) Dependence can develop with regular use.
🔗Sources & further reading
Facts on this page are compiled from these primary sources. External links open in a new tab.