{"id":19342,"date":"2025-06-01T17:52:42","date_gmt":"2025-06-01T16:52:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/?p=19342"},"modified":"2025-06-01T17:52:42","modified_gmt":"2025-06-01T16:52:42","slug":"whats-the-fenty-fold-and-why-does-it-happen-to-fentanyl-users","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/2025\/06\/whats-the-fenty-fold-and-why-does-it-happen-to-fentanyl-users\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s The \u201cFenty Fold\u201d And Why Does It Happen To Fentanyl Users?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

What Is The \u201cFentanyl Fold\u201d?<\/h1>\n
\n
\n

by <\/span>Jessica Sherer B.A., Ashford University –

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n

The \u201cfenty fold\u201d (also \u201cfenty lean\u201d or \u201cfentanyl fold\u201d) is a startling but common occurrence among regular users of fentanyl, and other illicit drugs like\u00a0xylazine, where they are bent at the waist, slumped forward, in a rigid position. Their heads are bowed, their knees are bent, and they are often unable to respond or move.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n

\n

While jarring to witness, the fenty fold has become a sad yet common phenomenon in cities like\u00a0San Francisco\u00a0and\u00a0Baltimore, where fentanyl use has grown rampant alongside the growing nationwide trend. Chronic users of fentanyl can be stuck in this position for minutes to hours, with possible complications including decreased breath rate, poor circulation, and increased risk of falls and injuries.<\/p>\n

Research has not yet pinpointed what exactly causes the fenty fold, as fentanyl use is not known to directly affect the spine. Instead, it\u2019s becoming clear that it is a neuromuscular side effect of\u00a0synthetic opioids\u00a0like fentanyl. Studies from the Journal of Applied Physiology and the Harm Reduction Journal highlighted similar findings that fentanyl use can lead to severe and widespread muscle rigidity, particularly in the trunk muscles, which restricts respiration and affects posture and mobility.<\/p>\n

Additionally, doctors and addiction professionals think the fold is also connected to the central nervous depression caused by\u00a0opioids. After using fentanyl (usually in large amounts), people enter a state of slowed consciousness (nodding out), where their bodies and brains are functioning at a depressed level. This system depression leads to muscle weakness, which causes bending, and slowed thought processing, which inhibits the brain from instructing the body to stand upright, resulting in prolonged time spent in an unnatural position.<\/p>\n

While more research is needed on the causes of fentanyl fold, it is clear that it is an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous\u00a0side-effect of fentanyl use.<\/p>\n