Jayden's tube of Triptocaine
Triptocaine, commonly called "Tripto," is a fictional drug in Heavy Rain. Special Agent and profiler Norman Jayden is addicted to it. It is presented as a slightly luminescent light blue powder kept in a small vial. The route of administration is insufflation ("snorting").
Use[]
According to an early character biography, Triptocaine is designed to mitigate the negative effects of the ARI (Added Reality Interface), an experimental evidence-collecting system used by the FBI. By the time of the game, Jayden has become physically and psychologically dependent on it, and is presented with multiple opportunities to take it or resist. However, there are two occasions where he will "indulge" without the player's input. Dialogue in "Jayden Blues" indicates that he has struggled with staying clean in the past, and he talks himself through resisting the urge to use it throughout the game.
The effects of the drug are never explicitly stated. Lack of use, however, can result in withdrawal due to physical dependence. When Jayden takes Triptocaine, it appears to cause euphoria and make it easier for him to focus his thoughts.
The name of the substance appears to refer to two different types of drug. The prefix tript- is reminiscent of tryptamine or tryptophan, precursors/derivatives of serotonin, suggesting some serotonergic effect. The suffix -caine is common among local anesthetics, the most famous being cocaine and novocaine. The anesthetic effect associated with the suffix -caine is due to a pharmacology unrelated to the euphoric effects of cocaine. It is likely, however, that the name is meant to allude to cocaine's euphoric effect alone, as Triptocaine is not used as a local anesthetic. Cocaine's euphoric effects are due to its action as a TRI (i.e., a reuptake inhibitor of serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline). Taking the two affixes together, it can be surmised that this drug is a TRI with additional affinity for serotonin transporters and/or receptors.
This said, the withdrawal effects are very different from those of a serotonergic drug or of cocaine. Instead, they are somewhat like an exaggerated form of alcohol or heroin withdrawal. The nosebleeds, however, are more indicative of stimulant-type action.
It is additionally likely that the drug is broken apart by enzymes in the stomach, as it is only insufflated, although this method of administration could be due to its rapid onset.
Experimental Nature[]
It is implied that Triptocaine, like the ARI, is experimental in nature. It is only seen or mentioned in conjunction with ARI use or by those that use the device. This suggests that it was specifically developed to be used in concert with the ARI, but users became addicted to it because of the feelings of relief and well-being it brought them. The development notes for Jayden's Heavy Rain Chronicles episode imply that the creation of Triptocaine coincided with or predated the FBI's use of ARI, as Jayden's partner and lover Jack Reilly is noted to possess a vial of it during the initial presentation of the device.
The withdrawal symptoms and cravings Jayden experiences throughout the game indicate that it causes both physical and psychological dependence. Like all drugs that cause physical dependence, once the body becomes dependent on the substance, a drop in the amount of the drug in the user's system will result in some form of withdrawal. For example, persons ending heavy use of caffeine or attempting to quit tobacco use often demonstrate irritability, restlessness, headaches, and other symptoms. Taking more of the drug, while in a state of withdrawal, alleviates symptoms.
It is suggested that the FBI provides several vials of the drug, likely due to its intended use as a counter-balance to the side effects of the ARI. Reilly is noted to have had a hidden stash of it in his penthouse (which Jayden intended to dispose of), and Jayden can lose or get rid of two vials (one in "Mad Jack" and one in "Jayden Blues") and still be seen using the drug in later chapters. This is especially notable in "Smoking Mirror," wherein he is seen surrounded by several empty or partially empty vials.
Prior to Reilly's death, he admitted to Jayden that he was addicted to Triptocaine and intended to reveal the truth about it and/or the ARI. However, he was killed before he could do so, with his death staged to look like a fatal Triptocaine overdose. It is mentioned that at least one other person died of an apparent overdose, but it is unclear if this was an actual overdose or another cover-up.
Effects[]
Jayden taking Triptocaine
Besides the detrimental withdrawal symptoms Jayden suffers from throughout the game, Triptocaine has some positive effects. It appears to make it easier for Jayden to focus his thoughts, as an unused line of dialogue has him suggest to himself that "everything will become clearer" if he allows himself to take it. Jayden also experiences apparent feelings of euphoria when taking it, possibly explaining its addictive nature. However, it is also possible that his reaction may simply be relief at the cessation of his withdrawal symptoms.
It can be assumed that Triptocaine works to lower users' blood pressure, as several of Jayden's symptoms from using the ARI (headaches, blurred vision, fatigue, vertigo, and pale skin) indicate that the device causes abnormally high spikes in blood pressure.
Withdrawal Symptoms[]
The game itself never clarifies which symptoms can be attributed to Norman's Triptocaine use and which can be attributed to prolonged use of ARI. Likewise, it is never made clear if Jayden's possible death in "Solving the Puzzle" is linked strictly to his use of ARI, strictly to his dependence on Triptocaine, or a combination of both. However, analyzing the patterns in which his symptoms manifest shows that many of them are actually due to ARI use, with a consistent pattern of symptoms appearing when Jayden is observed to have taken the drug or is suffering withdrawal from it.[1]
- Anxiety: When suffering from severe withdrawal in "Jayden Blues," Jayden exhibits anxious behavior, with his thoughts becoming almost entirely focused on either avoiding the drug or convincing himself to take it.
- Cold sweats: Jayden complains twice of cold sweats (once in "Mad Jack" and again in "Fish Tank"). His thoughts indicate this is specifically a symptom of Triptocaine withdrawal.
- Nausea: In "Mad Jack," Jayden mentions in his thoughts that he feels ill while suffering from withdrawal.
- Tremors: Jayden's hands often tremble as a sign of oncoming withdrawal. He also complains of this (along with the cold sweats mentioned above) in multiple chapters.
Overdose[]
A Triptocaine overdose causes nosebleeds, convulsions, and death, as seen in "Smoking Mirror."