It’s commonly bought in various retail outlets, tobacco shops, head shops, and on the Internet. Street names for K2 include Spice Silver, Spice Gold, Spice Diamond, and K2. In some cases, they report that the high from spice is stronger than that of marijuana. In an effort to combat Spice abuse and overdoses caused by K2, the sale of synthetic weed possession and production has been banned in a number of cities and states, including New York State, Texas, and Kansas.
Can science keep up with designer drugs?
Synthetic cannabis, of which Spice is an example, is linked to serious health issues ranging from difficulties breathing to psychotic episodes. But, despite well-known issues, these drugs are still in demand and homeless people, particularly, are at risk of mental health issues from their use. So what exactly are these drugs made of and why do they cause such violent reactions. Instead, each person is helped to repair the damage done by drugs and build the new sober living skills that will be needed for lasting sobriety. This kind of rebuilding can’t be accomplished in just the single month of many short-term drug rehabs.
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It takes far too long for them to pass a law, while the ingredients of Spice can change within a day. Manufacturers are taking advantage of this while exploiting yet another loophole in the law-making process. If you or a loved one is struggling with a spice addiction or another drug, going to a treatment center may be the best thing for you. K2 is a mixture of herbs and spices sprayed with a synthetic chemical similar to the THC in marijuana.
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It’s impossible to predict the effects of Spice because each batch is different and each person can have a different reaction. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand.
- It is not advisable to conduct self-detox as this could lead to complications and imminent relapse.
- This is the largest study of Spice withdrawal ever conducted and the first to compare the severity of symptoms with those of cannabis.
- Instead, each person is helped to repair the damage done by drugs and build the new sober living skills that will be needed for lasting sobriety.
- Research indicates that some versions of the drug bind to the brain’s cannabinoid receptors 100 times more tightly than the THC in marijuana does.
- If a family can’t get a person using Spice to stop abusing this drug, it is vital that the drug abuser be gotten into drug rehab as soon as possible.
- Moreover, Spice may appear more attractive because it is not readily detected on standard drug tests.
The way synthetic marijuana interacts with brain cells might account for why it’s so addictive. Research indicates that some versions of the drug bind to the brain’s cannabinoid receptors 100 times more tightly than the THC in marijuana does. In just two years, there were more than 4,000 Poison Control Center calls asking for help with Spice abuse.
While THC is a “partial agonist” (it only partially reacts with cannabinoid receptors), synthetic cannabis is often a “full agonist”. In this way, the more adverse effects observed with synthetic cannabis use stem from its ability to completely saturate and activate all of the body’s cannabinoid receptors at a lower dose. “Spice” is a more difficult drug to identify than most, because it can take many forms and in fact, can be composed of many different chemicals. It has been and probably still is being promoted as a replacement for cannabis for those who cannot afford to have a positive drug test. The drug testing industry has caught up with this drug, however, and now there are tests that will show that it has been used. For the last few years, however, many people were using this drug in the military and in towns across America and passing drug tests.
However, recovery is possible with the help of professional treatment options, support from loved ones, and preventative measures. Spice is a synthetic cannabinoid, often mistakenly seen as a cheaper alternative to https://sober-home.org/molly-uses-effects-risks/ marijuana. Despite its label as a “safe alternative” to cannabis, synthetic marijuana can be dangerous and, in some cases, fatal. A person can become so violently paranoid that he attacks other people around him.
Little research exists about the side effects of synthetic cannabinoids or treatment options for people addicted to them. Participants also rated the withdrawal symptoms as more severe compared to cannabis, meaning that it may be harder for them to quit. The symptoms participants reported experiencing after attempting to stop using spice included sleep issues, irritability, low mood, heart palpitations and craving (a strong desire to use more of the drug). The severity of a person’s illness will naturally play a part in deciding the nature of the program they embark on. If you’ve been using Spice and you want help quitting, call us at FHE Health. We are a fully licensed and accredited addiction and mental health treatment center where you can get the personalized, life-saving treatments you need to get well.
Contact a treatment provider today to learn more about your treatment options. Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers have been helping people recover from addiction for almost five decades. Whether the drug being abused is one that has been around a long time like marijuana or heroin, or one of the new synthetics like Spice, there is definitely hope of lasting recovery. The Narconon program utilizes a drug rehab technology that never relies on the use of drugs for treatment. While synthetic marijuana, also known as Spice or K2, was originally sold and touted as a safer, legal alternative to actual cannabis, health agencies now recognize it for the danger that it is.
Using synthetic cannabis can have numerous negative effects on the body, including seizures, rapid heart rate, and even cardiac arrest in severe cases. In 2011, nearly 29,000 people had to visit the emergency room because of synthetic marijuana use. Synthetic cannabis, also known as K2, synthetic marijuana, or “fake weed” is one of the designer drugs created to be a legal alternative to cannabis. Spice results from someone taking herbs or incense and spraying them with a chemical that mimics THC, the active chemical compound in cannabis. Regular K2 users report experiencing uncomfortable physical withdrawal symptoms that can include headaches, irritability, insomnia, depression, and anxiety if they attempt to quit using fake weed.
Spice drug has been shown to cause severe health problems, especially in habitual users. The use of fake cannabinoids is illegal in the United States and most of the world; however, most drug dealers label their product as “not for human consumption” for liability defense. Chronic Spice users report developing a tolerance over time, which is one of the hallmarks of addiction to a substance or drug. Many users also develop a behavioral dependence on K2— they use Spice in order to manage the symptoms of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although deaths from K2 use are still relatively rare in comparison to alcohol, opioids, and other street drugs, a number of life-threatening poisonings have been positively linked to Spice use throughout the country.
And a 2016 study published in the journal Current Psychiatry Reports found that benzodiazepines and the antipsychotic drug quetiapine quelled some of the withdrawal symptoms of synthetic cannabinoids. However, the author stressed a need for more research into effective treatment options for addiction given the increasing popularity of the drug. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine reported two cases of suspected withdrawal syndrome related to the long-term use of synthetic cannabinoids. Although the researchers described a lack of suitable treatment options for withdrawal symptoms, they cited therapy with benzodiazepines as a reasonable and efficient first-line approach. As aforementioned, synthetic weed can affect the brain as much as the rest of the body. There are many signs of spice drug abuse on the mind, with the most common symptoms not necessarily being the most severe.
The transitioning from addiction to a healthy life is best piloted through K2 addiction support programs. It comprises constant supervision, medication management, and personal counseling to eliminate vulnerabilities and prevent relapse, enabling the patient to maintain a sober lifestyle. This process helps to build general health through educational and recreational activities. It also exposes possible mental issues and emotional inconsistencies that may be lingering.
Learning the risks of Spice is the first step in making safer choices for yourself. It’s also best to engage in enjoyable activities that don’t involve illegal and harmful substances. In this approach, people receive rewards, like vouchers or privileges, when they meet predetermined criteria demonstrating their commitment to sobriety. By creating a system of positive reinforcement, contingency management aims to motivate people to abstain from spice use and encourage sustained recovery.
Because Spice can be purchased legally in many places, and because it is often advertised as a “natural” marijuana alternative, many use it under the guise of safety. Being easily obtainable, and with a public perception as an innocuous natural high, Spice and K2 carry much appeal for teens and younger adults. Due to the illegal status of synthetic weed as a Schedule I classified substance, you can’t simply buy fake cannabis at your local pharmacy or a licensed marijuana dealership. Irrespective of this, the drug is usually sold by drug dealers, gas stations, vape shops, and online e-commerce sites disguised as incense, smoking blends, or herbal teas. Recognizing that, even though it is legal, using or abusing synthetic marijuana can have serious ramifications. If you or someone you know is struggling with synthetic marijuana abuse, it is vital to seek help and support.
All rights reserved |Privacy Policy|Advertising Policy Recover HQ does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. K2 incense is often referred to as the “zombie drug” due to the tendency for users to behave in ways that mimic portrayals of zombies on TV and in the movies. Benzodiazepines treat agitation and seizures, and antipsychotics may be required for unremitting psychotic symptoms. Synthetic marijuana abuse, like many other illicit drugs, can become an expensive habit. Long-term abuse can cause financial hardships, leading to debt, loss of housing, and loss of employment.
K2, also known as Spice, is a combination of industrial chemicals that are combined to create a dangerous street drug. It can either be vaporized in liquid form or smoked when added to dried herbs, similar to how marijuana is used. Medication might be used to ease withdrawal, but not to cure Spice addiction directly. There is currently no medication-assisted treatment (MAT) available for spice addiction. The people most likely to use this drug are teens and young adults, inmates of prison or those on probation or parole – because they think the drug will not show up on a test – and those in the military.
Over two thirds (67%) of participants they observed who tried to give up Spice reported experiencing at least three withdrawal symptoms after attempting to quit, including sleep issues, irritability, and low mood. The emergency and referral resources listed above are available to individuals located in the United States and are not operated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). https://sober-home.org/ NIDA is a biomedical research organization and does not provide personalized medical advice, treatment, counseling, or legal consultation. Information provided by NIDA is not a substitute for professional medical care or legal consultation. Because of the ever-changing combination of chemicals, it is not clear if one can call synthetic cannabis a legal incense or an illegal drug.
