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The Inside Story of Effects on Synthetic Marijuana Users

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The Inside Story of Effects on Synthetic Marijuana Users

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The Hard Lives of Britain's Synthetic Marijuana Addicts

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Legal highs are set to be outlawed by the British government in response to a growing number of news reports about students overdosing on the synthetic drugs after using them recreationally.

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Synthetic cannabis is primarily a combination of natural herbs and synthesized chemicals, intended to cause effects similar to those of marijuana. It's sold under various brand names, especially K2 and spice. These terms are commonly applied to any form of synthetic cannabis, regardless of the actual brand name. Additional street names for this product include "fake weed," "Bombay Blue" and "Black Mamba."

The specific ingredients in synthetic cannabis can vary significantly, as no standard formulation exists for this drug. Synthetic cannabis is a new designer drug, so the risks of long-term use are currently unclear, making any use of it potentially very risky. You can find a reputable K2 or spice addiction recovery center by calling today.

Ingredients in Synthetic Cannabis

"Synthetic cannabis is primarily a combination of natural herbs and synthesized chemicals, intended to cause effects similar to those of marijuana."Several of the ingredients in synthetic cannabis produce mild psychoactive effects, so the resulting blend has a significant intoxicating effect similar to that of marijuana. Active ingredients commonly found in synthetic cannabis include the following:

Canavalia maritime

Nymphaea caerulea

Pedicularis densiflora

Leonotis leonurus

Leonurus sibiricus

Nelumbo nucifera

Scutellaria nana

Zornia latifolia

Scientific analysis of the ingredients in synthetic cannabis has shown that many of the ingredients listed on the package are not actually present in the product. Synthetic cannabis frequently contains a large concentration of synthetic tocopherol, although this ingredient is not listed on the package. The German government conducted an assessment in 2008 that was unable to determine all of the significant ingredients in synthetic cannabis. It is therefore unclear whether the effects of this drug are primarily caused by the natural herbs or the synthetic chemicals.

Use of K2 and Spice

Synthetic cannabis was first developed in the early 2000s and first sold under the name "spice" in 2004. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that synthetic cannabis is most popular among high school seniors and is second only to marijuana. Twice as many boys in this age group use synthetic cannabis as girls, according to self-reports in 2012. The primary reasons for its popularity are likely the perception that synthetic cannabis is a natural product as well as its easy access. The fact that the ingredients in this product aren't typically detected in standard drug tests is also a contributing factor to its popularity. Call our K2 and spice recovery hotline at 1-888-319-2606 Who Answers? to talk about rehab and recovery treatment options for addiction to synthetic marijuana.

Safety Concerns

Scientists have not yet conducted official studies on the effects of synthetic cannabis. The most common effects that are not generally caused by marijuana include agitation and vomiting, although these effects are primarily associated with high doses. Dr. John W. Huffman was the first person to synthesize many of the artificial ingredients in synthetic cannabis, also known as synthetic cannabinoids. He has stated that no one should use synthetic cannabis because its effects are unknown.

Treatment Risks

"Scientists have not yet conducted official studies on the effects of synthetic cannabis."One user has reported using 3 grams of the Spice Gold brand of synthetic cannabis per day for several months. The doctors who treated him stated that this patient exhibited signs of addiction and experienced withdrawal symptoms when he stopped using the product. Another patient who had previously experienced psychotic episodes while smoking marijuana reported that his symptoms recurred when he began using spice. His psychiatrists noted that marijuana contains cannabidiol, which is a natural antipsychotic drug. The lack of an antipsychotic drug in synthetic cannabis may increase the probability of a psychotic episode compared to marijuana.

Patients who are at risk for psychosis should abstain from any substance that contains synthetic cannabinoids. K2 use is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarctions. Synthetic cannabinoids may also increase the chances of convulsions in the user. Find the best facility for treating a dependence on synthetic cannabis by calling us at . When you call our K2/spice addiction recovery hotline, we can point you toward the best addiction recovery program options in your area.

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Find a Reputable K2/Spice Addiction Recovery Hotline

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Synthetic cannabis is primarily a combination of natural herbs and synthesized chemicals, intended to cause effects similar to those of marijuana. It's sold under various brand names, especially K2 and spice. These terms are commonly applied to any form of synthetic cannabis, regardless of the actual brand name.

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No one knows what they're actually consuming when they smoke K2/Spice. The small packages of K2/Spice are distinctly labeled "Not for Consumption," but people do it anyway. The chemical formulas in each package are not consistent. This means, that while one person may experience a very relaxing feeling and enjoy the experience, another person may take another package, smoke it, and fall into a coma.

NIDA. (2018, February 5). Synthetic Cannabinoids (K2/Spice). Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/synthetic-cannabinoids-k2spice on 2018, March 11

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First introduced for sale in London in 2004

Competitive brands of Spice entered US Market and became more known throughout 2008

Sold legally in retail establishments

Interviews with patients in rehabilitation facilities showed that chronic intake of either K2 or Spice lead to compulsive cravings

11.4% of 12th graders used Spice or K2 during 2011

The Drug Enforcement Administration made 5 of the active chemicals in the drugs controlled and illegal, but manufacturers can slightly alter the chemical formulas to keep selling the drugs "legally."

Narconon. “The History of Synthetic Drugs (Spice, K2 and Bath Salts).” Narconon International, Narconon International, 2018, www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/synthetic-drugs-history.html.

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Synthetic Cannabinoids
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Cannabinoid receptors, which are found all throughout the body, are part of the endocannabinoid system which is involved in various physiological processes including wanting to eat, how well you receive pain, mood, and how well your memory functions.
Cannabinoid receptors are of a class of cell membrane receptors in the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily.

"Marijuana." UXL Encyclopedia of Drugs and Addictive Substances, edited by Barbara C. Bigelow, vol. 4, UXL, 2006, pp. 491-514. Gale Virtual Reference Library, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3448100076/GVRL?u=lom_inac&sid=GVRL&xid=6b8007ef. Accessed 11 Mar. 2018.

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K2 is a mixture of herbs, spices, shredded plant material. These are usually sprayed with cannabinoids. These are similar to the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
It is normally sold in small plastic bags of dried leaves labeled as "incense" that can be rolled up like a cigarette and smoked.

Nienstedt, Andrea. "K-2 Synthetic Marajuana Marijuana (Spice)." The Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health, edited by Laurie J. Fundukian, vol. 1, Gale, 2013, pp. 529-531. Health & Wellness Resource Center, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX2760500149/HWRC?u=lom_inac&sid=HWRC&xid=10e3567b. Accessed 11 Mar. 2018.

“Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.” Drug Free NJ - K2 Spice, www.drugfreenj.org/drug-encyclopedia/k2-spice/.

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Schedule I Narcotic

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Elevated, happier mood

Feel relaxed, both brain and mind

Altered perceptions (hallucinations) of surrounding objects and conditions

Symptoms of psychosis - to feel separate from reality

To see and think things that aren't really there

Bigelow, Barbara C., editor. UXL Encyclopedia of Drugs and Addictive Substances. UXL, 2006. 5 vols. Gale Virtual Reference Library, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/pub/9781414406190/GVRL?u=lom_inac&sid=GVRL. Accessed 11 Mar. 2018.

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Rapid Heart Rate (Reduced blood flow to heart)

Vomiting

Violent Behavior

Suicidal Thoughts

Addictive

Headaches

Anxiety

Depression

Irritability

Psychotic Effects

extreme anxiety

confusion

Paranoia—extreme and unreasonable distrust of others

Hallucinations—sensations and images that seem real though they are not

Nienstedt, Andrea. "K-2 Synthetic Marajuana Marijuana (Spice)." The Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health, edited by Laurie J. Fundukian, vol. 1, Gale, 2013, pp. 529-531. Health & Wellness Resource Center, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX2760500149/HWRC?u=lom_inac&sid=HWRC&xid=10e3567b. Accessed 11 Mar. 2018.

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Blaze

Red X Dawn

Black Mamba

Bombay Blue

Genie

Fake Weed

Spice

Zoh

Bliss

These are just a few names for K2/Spice. In a directory, there are over 700 street names for synthetic marijuana. These are the most used names, however.

“Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.” Drug Free NJ - K2 Spice, www.drugfreenj.org/drug-encyclopedia/k2-spice/.

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Spoiler alert, there are none.

No Medical Uses

Banned in US Military Personnel

Banned in some states (illegal in Michigan)

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Spice - Relevance to Age Group (Continued)

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Spice - Relevance to Age Group (Continued)

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Real marijuana can cost about $350, but the synthetic marijuana can only cost about $50 online, or even just $10 in simple places.
This makes it very easy for teens, ranging anywhere from 13-18 years old, to take some money that they've gotten from a birthday, relative, etc., and to just go to a corner store, head shop, and buy some K2 or spice.

NIDA. “Spice.” NIDA for Teens, NIDA, 1 May 2017, teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/spice.