Because the chemicals used in them have no medical benefit and a high potential for abuse, authorities have made it illegal to sell, buy, or possess some of these chemicals. However, manufacturers try to sidestep these laws by changing the chemical formulas in their mixtures. Easy access and the belief that synthetic cannabinoid products are natural and therefore harmless, have likely contributed to their use among young people.
Another reason for their continued use is that standard drug tests cannot easily detect many of the chemicals used in these products. The most common way to use synthetic cannabinoids is to smoke the dried plant material.
Users also mix the sprayed plant material with marijuana or brew it as tea. Other users buy synthetic cannabinoid products as liquids to vaporize in e-cigarettes.
Synthetic cannabinoids act on the same brain cell receptors as THC deltatetrahydrocannabinol , the mind-altering ingredient in marijuana. So far, there have been few scientific studies of the effects of synthetic cannabinoids on the human brain, but researchers do know that some of them bind more strongly than marijuana to the cell receptors affected by THC and can produce much stronger effects.
The resulting health effects can be unpredictable and dangerous. Because the chemical composition of many synthetic cannabinoid products is unknown and may change from batch to batch, these products are likely to contain substances that cause dramatically different effects than the user might expect.
People who have used synthetic cannabinoids and have been taken to emergency rooms have shown severe effects including:. Is Spice addictive? Withdrawal symptoms can include: headaches anxiety depression irritability. How many teens use Spice? The chart below shows the percentage of teens who say they use Spice. Swipe left or right to scroll. What should I do if someone I know needs help? If you, or a friend, are in crisis and need to speak with someone now: Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at TALK they don't just talk about suicide—they cover a lot of issues and will help put you in touch with someone close by If you want to help a friend, you can: Share resources from this site, including this page.
Encourage your friend to speak with a trusted adult. Where can I get more information? Resources for Educators Image. Drugs and the Teen Brain This lesson, provides scientific information about teen brain development and the effect of drugs and alcohol use on the brain.
The study found a significant increase in confusion, disorientation, and incoherence in the synthetic marijuana group. Slurred speech, a side effect not normally associated with natural cannabis use, was also reported among the people who had taken synthetic cannabinoids.
Beyond the short-term effects mentioned, an increase in blood pressure, as well as seizures, tremors, and anxiety, have been noted in people who have used synthetic marijuana. Whether these observed symptoms will have lasting effects, particularly on adolescents and young adults, is not yet known.
Of course, smoking any substance could have negative effects on the lungs. There were also cases in which a version of synthetic marijuana was laced with rat poison, causing uncontrolled bleeding in hundreds of people and killing several others who ingested the tainted products. If you or a loved one has used synthetic marijuana and begin experiencing severe, unexplained bleeding or bruising, call or asked a loved one to take you to the hospital immediately.
These are all signs of contaminated cannabinoid products. If you are a parent of a young adult, it pays to know the behaviors and physical effects of using fake weed. While exhibiting one or two of these signs might not mean that your child is using, they are all strong indicators of drug use and should be taken seriously.
Physical effects:. Contrary to common belief, herbal bud is not "natural marijuana. Synthetic marijuana is also far more potent, containing THC analogs or synthetic cannabinoids that can be up to times more potent than THC found in marijuana. Often, additives, toxic impurities, and other types of drugs are also found in fake weed products.
If you regularly use synthetic cannabinoids, you can also become both physically and psychologically dependent. This means if you stop abruptly, you'll likely experience withdrawal symptoms. Since the chemical composition of fake weed is unknown and can change from batch to batch, tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal may also vary.
How long synthetic cannabinoids stay in your system depends on several factors, including the type, how it is administered i. Since these synthetic drugs don't trigger a positive result on most standard urine drug tests, many people turn to these drugs in an attempt to avoid positive drug screens for employment, rehab, or legal reasons.
Long-term, regular use of synthetic cannabinoids can lead to addiction. If you have a history of mental illness or a substance use disorder, the risk of addiction is even greater. In addition to building up a tolerance and experiencing symptoms of withdrawal, other signs of synthetic cannabinoid addiction can include:.
Symptoms of synthetic weed withdrawal can range from mild to severe, depending on how frequent and how long you have been using, and include the following:. If you suspect that someone you love is using synthetic marijuana, the most important thing you can do is spend time with them, communicate the dangers of fake weed, and watch for any signs of use.
While behavioral therapies and medications have yet to be specifically tested for the treatment of synthetic cannabinoid addiction, a healthcare professional can work with you and your loved one to safely detox from the drug as well as identify and treat any co-occurring mental illness. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. National Institutes of Health. Updated February US Senate.
Statement of Joseph T. September Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Synthetic cannabinoids: what are they? What are their effects?
Made up of man-made chemicals intended to mirror the effects of marijuana, synthetic marijuana is a newer drug that is proving to be one of the most dangerous substances abused today. Also known as K2, Potpourri, or Spice, synthetic marijuana is a drug that can be smoked, inhaled, or injected by users.
Producing a high that causes an elevated mood, feelings of relaxation, and altered perceptions of reality for up to a few hours, K2 was originally marketed as a safe alternative to marijuana, as that drug is known to produce similar effects. However, synthetic marijuana is also known to cause unpleasant psychosis and a number of other harmful effects that can occur even after one use.
Many users of this substance have lost their lives due to the sudden onset of health complications brought on by synthetic marijuana. Because of this, it is often imperative to seek treatment if it is suspected that a person is using or abusing K2.
Effective mental health care that can treat a substance abuse problem of this kind is available and should be sought in order to reduce or eliminate the risks associated with this life-threatening drug.
Recent statistics estimate that the number of K2-related deaths is on the rise. Part of this is due to the surge of individuals who are requiring medical intervention after consuming synthetic marijuana despite recent attempts by lawmakers to ban this substance.
Lastly, because of the newness of synthetic marijuana, further research is required to know more exact statistics on this life-threatening drug. Causes and Risk Factors. It is widely believed by professionals in the field of mental health that there are several causes and risk factors that can lead a person to use or abuse drugs, like synthetic marijuana. Since researchers have not found an isolated cause for substance abuse, consider the following elaborations on these causes and the risk factors involved:.
Those with a family history of substance use, abuse, or addition have a greater susceptibility to also abusing substances, like K2, especially when these individuals have a first-degree relative s with this kind of issue.
0コメント