The rise of synthetic designer drugs has become an alarming public health concern, particularly among teenagers and young adults. “K2” or “Spice” are lab-made chemicals designed to imitate the effects of cannabis, primarily tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Synthetic marijuana, while marketed as a “safe” and legal cannabis alternative, carries unpredictable side effects and risks, including psychosis, seizures, and organ damage.
What Is K2/Spice?
K2 and Spice are the street names for synthetic cannabinoids, which are not derivatives of the natural cannabis plant. Synthetic marijuana is sprayed onto plant materials and is typically sold as potpourri or herbal incense. These designer synthetic drugs are typically smoked through a pipe or rolling the plant material. Liquid cannabinoids have also emerged, allowing users to consume them through electronic cigarettes.
Synthetic marijuana like Spice and K2 can be purchased in gas stations, convenience stores, head shops, and on the internet. These synthetic drugs are becoming relatively accessible to all ages, posing severe risks to physiological and psychological health. The availability of synthetic cannabinoids is raising significant concerns, particularly among college students, teenagers, and young adults.
Synthetic cannabinoids are sold under the street names K2, Kush, Spice, Bliss, Scooby Snax, Kronic, and Genie. K2/Spice contains higher concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than natural cannabis products. This higher concentration results in a more intense “high” and potentially adverse when consuming synthetic cannabinoids.
Understanding Synthetic Cannabinoids: Side Effects, Risks, Legal Status
The use of K2/Spice has become increasingly popular among adolescents and young adults, posing severe and unpredictable health risks. Synthetic cannabinoids can have a range of side effects, including psychosis, seizures, organ damage, dependence, and addiction.
Synthetic designer drugs are often contaminated with other dangerous substances and chemicals, including fentanyl. The unpredictability of synthetic cannabinoids increases the risk of adverse reactions and toxicity. More often than not, these designer drugs are unknowingly contaminated with deadly substances like fentanyl.
As young college students and teenagers are consuming these products, the risk of overdose and life-threatening consequences is high.
K2/Spice Side Effects
While intended to imitate the effects of cannabis, K2/Spice can facilitate more adverse side effects than natural cannabis. Marijuana’s side effects are dependent on a range of factors, including health status, potency, and the amount taken.
The most common side effects of natural cannabis cause changes in mood, thoughts, memory, body movement, and perceptions of reality.
Synthetic cannabinoids tend to have higher concentrations of THC, resulting in more intense mind-altering effects. The side effects of K2/Spice can range from mild to severe, including:
- Hallucinations
- Severe anxiety and depression
- Heart attacks
- Suicidal thoughts
- Tremors
- Vomiting
- Elevated heart rate
- Seizures
- Numbness and tingling
- Unconsciousness
Synthetic drug mixtures are all relatively inconsistent, meaning each batch contains a different blend of substances and chemicals. Due to this inconsistency, the side effects of K2 are often unpredictable.
Synthetic cannabinoids’ side effects on the mind can also include acute psychotic episodes, dependence, and withdrawal. Some users may experience agitation, disorganized thoughts, paranoid delusions, and violence with synthetic weed products.
Risk of Contamination and Toxicity with K2
The chemical composition of synthetic marijuana fluctuates, making the potency and side effects highly unreliable. Synthetic designer cannabinoids often contain other harmful adulterants and drug impurities, increasing the risk of drug toxicity and overdose.
An adverse reaction to synthetic cannabinoids can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Overdosing on synthetic marijuana can result in vomiting, extreme agitation, seizures, stroke, and coma. In severe cases, synthetic cannabinoid overdose can result in death by heart attack or organ failure.
Short and Long-Term Health Risks of Synthetic Weed
The health risks associated with synthetic marijuana use are unpredictable and potentially life-threatening. While the design of K2 is to chemically mimic the effects of THC in marijuana, its artificial nature and lack of regulation can result in dangerous side effects and risks.
Some of the short and long-term consequences of K2/Spice may include:
- Psychosis
- Seizures
- Organ damage
- Addiction and dependence
- Aggression and violence
- Tachycardia
- High blood pressure
- Respiratory problems
Synthetic drugs like K2/Spice can elevate heart rate (tachycardia) and blood pressure, precipitating stroke or heart attacks, even in young and healthy individuals. Synthetic drug users may experience lingering hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia even after the drug’s effects subside.
Similar to natural cannabis products, K2 can trigger panic attacks, mood swings, and suicidal thoughts in users. Prolonged use of Spice and synthetic cannabinoids can impair memory and cognitive functions, including decision-making, attention span, and memory.
Smoking synthetic cannabinoids has led to acute kidney failure and liver toxicity. Several individuals report acute kidney injury following the use of K2/Spice and synthetic cannabinoids. Respiratory issues, including difficulty breathing and respiratory distress, from synthetic marijuana are often a result of long-term smoking.
Is Synthetic Marijuana Legal?
While K2/Spice is marketed as a “legal high” or legal alternative to cannabis, many are classified as controlled substances. Synthetic cannabinoids are classified as Schedule I Substances under the Controlled Substances Act, which have no approved medical use and a high potential for abuse. Other Schedule I drugs include heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), and ecstasy.
Despite the legal status of synthetic cannabinoids, drug manufacturers have modified their chemical structure to bypass legal restrictions. As synthetic designer drugs are constantly undergoing modifications, it makes regulation challenging and contributes to ongoing public health issues and concerns.
Dependence and Addiction to Synthetic Cannabinoids
Synthetic cannabinoids like K2 and Spice can be highly addictive, which can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms. As young people are continuously exposed to synthetic drugs like K2, the risks of overdose and addiction are increasing.
With prolonged use of synthetic weed, users tend to develop a tolerance and dependence on the drug. This dependence can cause them to experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping the drug, including headaches, anxiety, persistent cravings, and irritability.
Marijuana Detox Program in Stuart, FL
Consuming synthetic drugs carries significant and potentially life-threatening risks for all ages. Understanding the associated risks of synthetic cannabinoids is critical for avoiding these substances and seeking medical assistance if consumed.
If you struggle with synthetic drug abuse or K2/Spice addiction, Coastal Detox is here to help. Our marijuana detox programs in South Florida are equipped with comprehensive treatments and holistic therapies to help you recover.
Marijuana addiction can be challenging to overcome on your own, and you don’t have to. Reach out to Coastal today.
References:
- Drug Enforcement Administration, 2022. Drug Fact Sheet: K2/Spice.
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Spice/ K2, Synthetic Marijuana.
- Cleveland Clinic, 2022. What Are the Dangers of Synthetic Weed?
- The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 2015. K2 and Spice use among a cohort of college students in southeast region of the USA.
- WebMD. K2/Spice – Uses, Side Effects, and More.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2023. Synthetic Cannabinoids.
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Drug Scheduling.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2024. Cannabis (Marijuana).