The Effects of Spice, K2, and Synthetic Marijuana Abuse

At the top of the list is that of synthetic cannabinoid products, referred to as Spice and K2, as well as by the misnomer synthetic marijuana. These products are often marketed as “herbal” or “natural” while in truth they are chemical compounds manufactured in laboratories. Synthetic cannabinoids may be similar in effect to marijuana and may be sprayed onto herbal materials, giving rise to the name fake weed.

Synthetic cannabinoids are usually designed to mimic the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. However, these products may be 100 times more potent than marijuana. This is due, in part, to the fact that synthetic cannabinoids may work better at binding to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain, increasing the risk for overdose or adverse side effects that may include vivid hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, or other psychotic symptoms.

Synthetic cannabinoids are sold in foil packages, or in vials of liquid, labeled “not for human consumption” and as “herbal incense,” or “potpourri” at head shops, music stores, gas stations, and online. They are often smoked, vaped in an e-cigarette, or added to food or drinks as edibles.

Synthetic cannabinoids have many different chemical makeups, many with cannabimimetic properties. They go by a variety of names on the street in addition to Spice, K2, and synthetic marijuana, including:

Synthetic cannabinoids may cause effects similar to marijuana, such as altered perceptions, relaxation, and increased pleasure, but they may also raise heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels and induce psychosis, violence, or suicidal thoughts. These drugs may be addictive as well, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Synthetic drugs can be unpredictable, and individuals who use them may never know what exactly is in the compound they are ingesting; thus, increasing the odds for a dangerous interaction with potentially life-threatening consequences. Fortunately, misuse and addiction to synthetic cannabinoids may be treated in a similar fashion to marijuana misuse and addiction, through substance use treatment programs that include behavioral therapies and counseling, as well as complementary therapies to treat the whole person emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

Spice Abuse Trends

Since the first seizure of Spice, or synthetic cannabinoids laced into plant material, was reported in Ohio in 2008, there have been numerous attempts to control and regulate these potentially dangerous drugs within the United States by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 2012, the passing of the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act placed many of the known synthetic cannabinoids into the Schedule I classification, meaning that these drugs were now considered illegal, dangerous, and had no accepted medical use.

Prior to the scheduling of these synthetic cannabinoids, the Monitoring the Future (MTF) Survey reported that synthetic cannabinoids were the second most popular drug used by high school seniors only behind marijuana. Synthetic drugs may be increasingly popular with young people who may be ordering them online and exploring new methods and strains from a variety of websites. According to the journal Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, designer drugs—drugs created in laboratories for the psychoactive effects—are commonly misused by teens but also by those in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, though males in their late 20s tend to make up the largest percentage of individuals who misuse these designer drugs. In fact, according to the the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), almost 80% of the nearly 30,000 people seeking emergency department treatment for a reaction to synthetic cannabinoids were male. Additionally, many synthetic drugs do not appear on regular drug tests, so the journal Social Work Today reports that they may be popular drugs of use for individuals who are required to submit to regular toxicology screens.

After the drug’s scheduling in 2012, the MTF Survey found that synthetic cannabinoids use seemed to decline among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders; however, this could be due to the fact that the compounds that were known to be synthetic cannabinoids and put under federal control were altered in order to avoid such regulation.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) reported that there were almost 8,000 exposures to synthetic cannabinoids in 2015, around double the amount of exposures the year before. And NIDA reported a staggering 160 hospitalizations for negative reactions to synthetic cannabinoid products in mid-April 2015 in northeastern states.

Early on, Spice may have been a formulation of CP-47/479 or JWH-018, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported, which was subsequently banned in the United States. In its place, other compounds, XLR-11, UR-144, and AKB48 were created. They were found to be dangerous and commonly misused and were therefore placed under federal control in 2013, according to the DEA. However, chemists and drug manufacturers were not deterred. In 2015, AB-PINACA, AB-CHIMNACA, and THJ-2201 were created and placed under control by the DEA.

The DEA’s Drug Threat Assessment reported that misuse and availability of synthetic cannabinoids were likely to continue to increase. Authorities struggle to keep up with the changing chemical compounds. As control over one or two synthetic cannabinoids, sometimes referred to as SCs, is established, several more pop up that are technically legal since they vary slightly in makeup from the outlawed varieties.

Synthetic Marijuana and Addiction

Drugs that alter perceptions and moods or produce mind-altering effects may change the chemistry in the brain. THC works by binding to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and interferes with the endocannabinoid system, a part of the nervous system partially responsible for time and sensory perception, thinking abilities, memory, pleasure, coordination, and movement, NIDA reports. Like many other drugs, marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids disrupt the natural production of dopamine, one of the neurotransmitters that signals a person to feel pleasure. With regular use of synthetic cannabinoids, the brain may get used to these alterations and even expect the drug’s influence in order to function “normally.” Without the drug stimulating the release of dopamine, for example, a person may have trouble feeling happy as the body will not produce this chemical messenger as readily without help from its expected outside influence. As dopamine levels in the brain drop and synthetic cannabinoids leave the bloodstream, depression, anxiety, irritability, and restlessness may be common withdrawal symptoms.

NIDA estimates that around 9% of people who use marijuana will develop a dependence on the drug. For those who start using marijuana as teenagers, the number increases to 17%. Individuals who use marijuana daily may become dependent between a quarter to half the time.

Since synthetic cannabinoids act in much the same way in the brain and on the nervous system, it is likely that individuals using these drugs become dependent and addicted in a similar fashion. Once dependence is established, it may be relatively easy for addiction to manifest. Dependence means that the body and brain become so accustomed to having synthetic cannabinoids present in the system that when use suddenly stops or drastically decreases, withdrawal symptoms can surface. Addiction, on the other hand, is the compulsive use of synthetic cannabinoids despite the negative consequences it has on many aspects of a person’s life. An individual who is addicted to synthetic cannabinoids may also be dependent on these drugs, although not everyone who develops dependence develops an addiction.

Some of the signs that an individual is addicted to a synthetic cannabinoid include:

Addiction is considered a disease, and like many other chronic diseases, it is treatable and can be effectively managed.

Getting Help for Synthetic Cannabinoid Addiction

There are several methods of addiction treatment available. In order to determine which type might be the most beneficial for an individual, several factors must be taken into consideration. One such factor may be the presence of a co-occurring mental health disorder, which means that a person may suffer from both addiction and mental illness at the same time. An estimated half of all adults battling serious mental illness also struggle with a substance use disorder. Marijuana use, and therefore likely synthetic cannabinoid use as well, may be linked to an increased risk for psychological disorders like anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. These disorders may be related to changes in the brain caused by long-term and regular marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid use, NIDA reports. When someone suffers from co-occurring disorders, regardless of which one may have come first, specialized treatment that focuses on caring for a dual diagnosis in an integrated fashion may be the optimal course of action.

Demographics and age may impact treatment for addiction as well. For instance, adolescents may do best in a peer-centered and young adult or teenage treatment programs that can focus on the specific circumstances and needs of this population. Education for families and preventative tactics that can help explain the dangers of synthetic drug use in a non-confrontational and accessible manner may be helpful as well.

Additionally, a person’s level of dependency on drugs, and potential use of additional substances, may also be relevant when deciding on a treatment plan. Someone who has been using drugs for a long time or who uses multiple substances, for instance, may need care in a comprehensive residential treatment program that strives to treat the whole person by addressing the physical, social, and emotional aspects of drug use and addiction. Still, others may do well in an outpatient program, which allows them to live at home or in a sober living facility while attending therapy and counseling sessions at the facility.

As of yet, there are no specific medications for the treatment of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid addiction. Sometimes, pharmaceuticals may be used to help treat symptoms associated with withdrawal such as insomnia or psychosis.

Typically, behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can be beneficial in treating and enhancing recovery from drug misuse and addiction. CBT helps to define negative behaviors that may stem from self-destructive thoughts or emotions, and it can help improve stress management and coping skills. Counseling and therapy sessions in both group and individual settings can also improve communication and life skills and help prevent relapse.

Detox from K2: What to Expect

When people have been misusing synthetic cannabinoids for a long period of time, they may be significantly dependent on the drug. Detox can safely remove it from the body by helping to minimize the potential side effects of withdrawal. NIDA reports that physical symptoms and discomfort may include muscle aches, insomnia, fatigue, sweating, chills, headache, stomach cramps, fever, and changes in appetite. These symptoms usually peak within a week or so after stopping marijuana use, which is likely similar to the withdrawal and detox timeline from synthetic cannabinoids. Psychological symptoms of withdrawal, like anxiety, depression, trouble concentrating, difficulty feeling motivated, memory impairment, and a general lousy mood, may also accompany withdrawal.

The length of time that these symptoms persist may be directly related to the level of dependence, although medical detox can manage the withdrawal process, making it more comfortable. Medical detox provides oversight by a healthcare professional and may be done in an inpatient or outpatient setting.

Find a Drug Rehab Near You

If you or someone you love struggles with synthetic cannabinoid addiction, there is help. American Addiction Centers (AAC) operates substance use treatment centers nationwide and offers hope and healing for those living with addiction and co-occurring disorders. Reach out today for support and take the first step towards a healthier future.