The Cerebret (セレブレ, Serebure?) is a drug taken by Twilights in order to maintain bodily functions and stay alive.
Description
Cerebret is a drug that was first created during the war to enhance strength, speed and agility.[1] Despite its potency, Cerebret is addictive and toxic in large or repeated doses. Originally when Cerebret was manufactured, it was not made with overdoses in mind and, if one deliberately overdosed, their state would be extremely unstable and it would be impossible for them to gain the same amount of power every time; they would eventually end up an invalid.[2]
The official versions sold by government approved vendors are expensive, so black market versions as well as private formulations circulate the poorer segments of the Twilight population. Normal humans are prohibited from buying Celebret by the government, and its distribution is strictly controlled. A Twilight must present their Tag in order to purchase the drug and failure to do so results in a denial of purchase.
Variants
There are two kinds of Cerebret:
| Type | Uses | Costs |
|---|---|---|
| 'Upper' (アッパー, Appā?) | Acts as a stimulant, increasing the physical capabilities of the user tremendously at the cost of a reduced lifespan. | When overdosed on Upper, users gain severely numbed pain receptors but also run the risk of incurring organ damage and a manic state. |
| 'Downer' (ダウナー, Daunā?) | It is used as a depressant or tranquilizer, slowing the senses and movement. If taken after Upper it can help maintain the body's stability. | When overdosed on Downer, it can cause loss of consciousness, risk of organ damage and fatigue. They are usually taken together to neutralize the effects of one another and their symptoms are generally only visible when taken alone.[3] |
Usage
Cerebret can be administered via three methods: pills, injections or bullets. Twilights require a controlled, continued amount of Cerebret in order to stay alive, as it maintains their vital functions and negates pain. Failure to regularly take Cerebret results in withdrawal symptoms, including dizzy spells, nausea, palpitations and migraines. More severe cases include haemorrhages, convulsions, hypothermia, hallucinations, laboured breathing and other irregularities in cardiopulmonary activity--after a certain amount of time, death occurs.
| Type | Uses | Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Tablets | When crushed and ingested by mouth, the offset of effects are comparable to that of a dose administered by an autoinjector, so in an emergency situation the tablets can be taken in this matter. | A daily dosage is necessary for sustaining vital systems. The relative severity of the "price" paid varies greatly with the dosage amount. |
| Autoinjector | Used primarily to alleviate symptoms of toxicity or withdrawl, or when a Twilight has been active for too long a period. Best results are achieved when administered directly to the femoral or jugular veins, Autoinjectors deliver a higher dosage than tablets. | On the battlefield when Twilights have sustained life threatening injuries, uppers are sometimes administered to grant them painless deaths. Autoinjectors are very expensive, so only a small population, those with substantial economic means, posses them. |
| Bullet | Loaded with downers, bullets are used for their rapid tranquilizing effects. | Since bullets contain the same dosage of downers as autoinjectors, firing as a subject multiple times can result in death by overdose in a worst case scenario. |
Background
It was developed as a biological enhancement drug by the Western Allied Forces in the year 1902 during the unification war of East and West. It was used to optimize the physical abilities of soldiers who were deployed in battle. However, numerous fatalities and cases of psychological damage where ascribed to the drug's strong addictive potential and toxicity. It was later on banned when the war ended in 1912.[1]
Users
Many offspring of Cerebret users display hereditary congenital abnormalities due to the effects of the drug. While they possess superior physical abilities, they also suffer from a range of physiological and mental disorders. Most rely on regular dosages of Cerebret to keep withdrawal symptoms and toxicity levels under control. While some variations exists between individuals, their life spans are generally short, which is the source of the name "Twilights".[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 GANGSTA. Manga — Vol. 3 Chapter 12.
- ↑ GANGSTA. Manga — Vol. 6 Chapter 32.
- ↑ GANGSTA. Manga — Vol. 5 Chapter 28.