SPICE (SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA): COMPOSITION AND EFFECTS - ARTE - 2025

The spice or synthetic marijuana is a drug made from a mixture of herbs and crushed vegetal material, to which are added chemicals to mimic the effect of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the psychoactive ingredient in the natural marijuana plant.

This drug also appears under the name of Spice, K2 or fake marijuana (“fake weed” in English). It is one of the so-called emerging drugs; that is, those natural or synthetic substances marketed approximately from the year 2002, related to the culture of clubbers (regulars of electronic music clubs and pubs).

Spice may look like natural marijuana to the naked eye, but the chemicals it contains are extremely addictive and can be deadly. Its effects on brain receptors can be up to 100 times more potent than tetrahydrocannabinol.

The spice in the world

There is a belief that synthetic marijuana has the same effects as natural marijuana, but actually causes serious health and psychotic effects. The most common effects are paranoia, hallucinations, anxiety, and dissociations.

The added chemicals also cause rapid heartbeat, vomiting, confusion, tremors, and seizures.

It is a widely consumed drug in the United States and Europe, where health authorities are very concerned as its use is spreading alarmingly. This has led to it being viewed as a serious threat to public health and safety.

In 2016 in Brooklyn, the alarm went off when 33 people were found who had used synthetic marijuana. These looked like zombies out of "The Walking Dead." Everyone stumbled, fell to the ground, vomited, and gasped. They had to hospitalize most of them.

Therefore, these behaviors are known as the "zombie effect." The person is beside himself, and it may be necessary to seek emergency medical attention.

Another alarming news related to synthetic marijuana is that of a suicide of a teenager in 2010. It appears that the boy used this drug together with his friends an hour before shooting himself with a shotgun.

This incident prompted a law to be proposed to prohibit the use and distribution of synthetic drugs. On June 10, 2012, Barack Obama signed a law to prevent the use of these types of drugs. It included the outlawing of the main compounds in synthetic marijuana.

In some places, its use is so alarming that even the Washington authorities have created a website aimed at young people to make them aware of the effects of this drug.

Although some of the active substances in synthetic marijuana have been banned, the problem is that the producers modify the chemical formulas to be able to circumvent the Law.

Why is this drug used?

Synthetic marijuana can have certain advantages over natural marijuana, causing it to be more and more widespread.

For example, it is easier to obtain. Synthetic marijuana can be found for sale in stores known as smart or grow shops and, to a greater extent, online. Its format is usually attractive, colorful and has pleasant smells.

In addition, its price is affordable, being much cheaper than natural marijuana. Many consume it falsely believing that its components are natural.

Most of the online stores are in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States. This makes its access easier for the youngest. In fact, some studies have found that its habitual users are young high school boys and the homeless.

Another reason why its use is increasing is that it is difficult to detect in drug tests. So those who are undergoing drug testing can take it without it showing in the results.

How is it consumed?

Spice is consumed in a similar way to cannabis, either smoked, mixed with tobacco or natural marijuana, or through a pipe or tube. It is also added to foods such as chocolate cakes or infusions.

The labels of these products often contain messages such as "not suitable for human consumption". Others point out that they contain "natural" material, although the only natural thing about these substances is the dried plants used, since the rest are cannabinoid compounds synthesized in laboratories.

Composition

The cannabinoid compounds found in synthetic marijuana act on the same cellular receptors that receive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from natural marijuana.

Apparently, synthetic marijuana is produced in China without controls or any type of dosage. It has been found that the same product can have different substances and different amounts of chemicals.

It's difficult to know what each dose of synthetic marijuana actually contains. Pesticides and even poison to kill rats have been found in its composition.

On the other hand, the manufacturers of synthetic marijuana indicate on the labels of their products that they contain natural herbs such as canavalia rosea, Egyptian blue lotus or blue water lily, casida, pedicularis densiflora, lion's tail, among others. But in reality these plants are doused in synthetic cannabinoids, far from being a natural effect.

Effects edit

Synthetic marijuana users report experiences similar to those obtained with natural marijuana. That is, relaxation, altered perception and elevated mood.

However, other people have psychotic effects such as extreme anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations.

In some cases, its effects are much more powerful than those of natural marijuana. This is explained because the active ingredient in cannabis acts on the CB1 receptor as a partial agonist. Whereas, in synthetic marijuana, it does so as a total agonist.

Partial agonists are substances that bind to a certain receptor, but unlike total agonists, they only have their effects partially.

Ultimately, the brain cannot process synthetic marijuana properly. Side effects are more likely and depend on the area where that receptor was activated.

By consuming many cannabinoids at once, the effects of synthetic marijuana are not like those of natural marijuana. While people who use natural cannabis can be more relaxed, sociable and sensitive; those who have taken synthetic marijuana appear irritable, nervous, and violent.

Spice overdose

Spice overdose can be uncomfortable, but it is usually not dangerous. It cannot produce death, and the effects wear off after a few hours.

However, with synthetic marijuana, the exact amount of cannabinoids in each dose is not known. This is because they are manufactured in illegal laboratories without controls that regulate it. Thus, overdose is characterized by adverse secondary symptoms that can endanger the health of the person, such as spasms, kidney failure and severe agitation.

Side effects and health risks

Although synthetic marijuana is often touted as a “safe and legal alternative” to marijuana, it has been shown that they can be very dangerous chemicals.

The most recent studies have documented acute toxicity with gastrointestinal, neurological, cardiovascular, and renal effects. Also, chronic use can lead to tolerance, dependence, as well as the development of withdrawal syndrome.

A 2012 report from the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicated that in 2010 there were 11,400 cases of emergency care for people who have used synthetic marijuana.

Among the adverse effects of synthetic marijuana the following have been observed:

- Nausea.

- vomiting

- Nystagmus (irregular movement of the eyes).

- Speech disorders.

- Ataxia (problems coordinating movements).

- Hypothermia.

- Hallucinations.

- Confusion.

- Anxiety.

- Panic attacks.

- Irritability.

- Memory problems.

- Seizures and spasms.

- Tachycardias.

- Hypertension or hypotension.

- Acute kidney failure.

- Acute interstitial nephritis (inflammation of the renal tubules that can affect the kidneys).

- Suicide risk due to suicidal thoughts.

- Violent behavior.

Is it addictive?

This drug can be just as addictive as any other. This is manifested by withdrawal symptoms that appear when consumption is abruptly discontinued.

Some of these symptoms are: anxiety, headache, sweating, irritability, depression, mood swings, suicidal ideas, etc.

How is spice addiction treated?

First of all, you need to carry out a detox. To do this, the person must be without using the drug for a few weeks or more. Once the detoxification is over, a treatment must be carried out to avoid relapse and eliminate dependence as much as possible.

The duration of treatment can be from 1 to 6 months or more. Some programs require the person to stay in a detox or rehab center, although there are also outpatient centers.

The duration and form of treatment will depend on the severity of the addiction, the length of time you have been using and if you have an environment or psychological traits that facilitate use or not.

Psychological assistance is essential, since the addict usually has certain deficiencies, fears or conflicts that force him to "escape".

In order for the addict to feel capable of coping with life, his qualities are strengthened through individual and group therapy. In addition to developing strategies to avoid using again.

References

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2. Burillo-Putze, G., Climent, B., Echarte, JL, Munné, P., Miró, O., Puiguriguer, J., & Dargan, P. (2011, August). Emerging drugs (I): the «smart drugs», Anales del sistema sanitario de Navarra, 34 (2), 263-274.
3. Castaneto, MS, Wohlfarth, A., Desrosiers, NA, Hartman, RL, Gorelick, DA, & Huestis, MA (2015). Synthetic cannabinoids pharmacokinetics and detection methods in biological matrices. Drug metabolism reviews, 47 (2), 124-174.
4. Ford, BM, Tai, S., Fantegrossi, WE, & Prather, PL (2017). Synthetic Pot: Not Your Grandfather's Marijuana. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences 38 (3), 257-276.
5. K2 Zombie DC. (sf). Retrieved on March 11, 2017, from K2 Zombie DC:
6. Schone, M. & Schecter, A. (June 7, 2011). Legalize Marijuana, Says Inventor of 'Spice' Chemicals. Retrieved from abcnews: http: //abcnews.go.com/Blotter/legalize-marijuana-inventor-spice-chemicals/story? Id = 13782613
7. Synthetic Cannabinoids. (sf). Retrieved March 11, 2017, from the National Institute on Drug Abuse:
8. Synthetic Marijuana - Spice or K2. (sf). Retrieved on March 11, 2017, from Drugs: