What Causes the ‘Nodding’ Effect in Fentanyl Users?

What Is the ‘Nodding’ Effect in Fentanyl Users?

Fentanyl is a potent opioid that’s said to be 20 to 40 times stronger than heroin and 100 times the potency of morphine. Just a tiny amount can be a life-threatening dose. Even worse, fentanyl is often added to illicit drugs like counterfeit painkillers as a cheap way of making drugs stronger. Because this isn’t happening in controlled settings, drug makers can add too much of the substance – and someone who doesn’t even know they’re buying fentanyl can accidentally overdose on it.

The “nodding” effect, sometimes called “nodding out,” “the fentanyl fold,” or “fenty lean,” can look like someone is falling asleep while standing, sitting, or even while they’re talking. Their head might tilt, and their eyes might roll back or close entirely.

So, why do fentanyl users lean over? Fentanyl is a powerful drug that acts as a sedative and depressant on the central nervous system, which leads to many different impacts on things like motor control and breathing. It causes significant muscle relaxation that, when combined with the impaired motor control, causes folding, leaning, or slumping. Fentanyl also makes users drowsy and nearly sedated, which can make it even harder for their brain to command their body to stand back up during a “nodding” incident.

Is Nodding a Sign of Overdose?

Now that you understand why do fentanyl users lean over, it’s important to recognize when things like “nodding” or “leaning” could indicate that the person is having a medical crisis and needs emergency care.

If someone seems to be very high on drugs like opioids, they might have noticeable symptoms of use like small pupils, frequent scratching, slurred speech, and even nodding off.

There are many outward symptoms and inner feelings of a fentanyl overdose, including possible overdose signs like:

• They’ve lost consciousness.
• They’re not responding to things like loud noises, bright lights, or your attempts to shake them awake.
• They’re still awake but can’t talk or communicate.
• Their breathing is slow, shallow, or stopped entirely.
• Their skin is pale or clammy, or their skin tone, fingernails, and lips are changing to blue or gray.
• They’re making loud noises that sound like choking or snoring.
• They’re limp and unresponsive.
• Their pulse seems slow, or there’s no pulse.

If you suspect someone is having a fentanyl overdose, time is of the essence, and their life is in grave danger – they need immediate emergency medical care.

What Should You Do If Someone Is Nodding and Won’t Wake Up?

The most important thing to do if you think someone is having an opioid overdose is to call 911 immediately – medical attention is needed as soon as possible. The warning signs of a medical emergency include slow or stopped breathing, being unresponsive, not answering you or responding to things like noises and lights, and changes to the color of skin, lips, and fingernails. Here are the other things that could save someone’s life during an overdose:

• Shake the person, shout, or pinch the back of their arm to try to get them to wake up. If they do, ask them if they can speak to you, and monitor their breathing.
• If you have access to naloxone, frequently sold under the brand name Narcan, use it. The most common method is a nasal device that requires you to click a plunger once it’s up a nostril. This medication can help reverse an overdose and could save their life.
• Call 911 immediately, and let them know details like their breathing, if they’re responsive, and if you’ve tried to administer naloxone (if so, tell them if they responded to it or not).
• Perform CPR or rescue breathing if possible if they’re not breathing or their heart has stopped until emergency responders have arrived.

Some people might think they should try just to administer the naloxone and consider that enough as long as the person responds to the naloxone. However, it wears off in a short amount of time, and they will likely wake up confused and unsure of what happened. Stay with the person, roll them onto their side in the recovery position in case they vomit, and look after them to ensure they’re OK.

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Can Long-Term Fentanyl Use Make Nodding More Severe?

Because fentanyl has such a substantial effect on the person’s central nervous system, the risks of severe overdose issues like labored breathing and erratic pulse can quickly kill the user. People who use fentanyl are also exposing themselves to a host of other medical problems, even if they don’t overdose, including short-term effects like:

• Dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion
• “Nodding off” or leaning
• Slow or labored breathing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Constricted pupils
• Scratching their skin

Long-term use of fentanyl can easily lead to many other physical and mental problems, including:

• Addiction/substance use disorder
• Depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation
• Inability to control impulses
• Constipation and digestive problems
• Sexual dysfunction
• Weight loss and reduced appetite
• Menstrual problems

So, why do fentanyl users lean over? The way this drug affects and depresses the central nervous system can lead to problems with motor skills, alertness, and breathing – and this can quickly make someone start to display those characteristic signs of leaning. If you or a loved one is struggling with these side effects of this life-threatening drug, it’s time to find a fentanyl treatment center.

 

Key Takeaways on Why Do Fentanyl Users Lean Over

• Fentanyl is a potent and highly addictive opioid said to be 100 times more powerful than morphine.
• It’s frequently added to other drugs, like counterfeit, as a cheap way to boost the strength of illicit drugs.
• Fentanyl has a powerful effect on the central nervous system that can cause users to lean over and go in and out of consciousness.
• Illegal fentanyl is a major driver of fatal drug overdoses.
• If you suspect someone is overdosing, it’s crucial to call 911 and administer naloxone immediately if possible.

The answer to why do fentanyl users lean over is the same answer to why people are at such a high risk of fatal overdose on this drug – this substance has a powerful effect on users, and it can quickly lead to slow or stopped breathing. If you or a loved one is struggling with fentanyl addiction, you need professional help immediately to break the chains that this addiction has you in. Call Resurgence Behavioral Health at 855-458-0050 today to learn how we can help you improve your mental health.

Resources

• Government of Canada – Fentanyl
• National Harm Reduction Coalition – Recognizing Opioid Overdose
• National Harm Reduction Coalition – Responding to Opioid Overdose