The Effects and Dangers of K2

What is K2?

K2 is a kind of synthetic cannabinoid that is also known as Spice. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), K2 and other synthetic cannabinoids are manmade chemicals that can alter a person’s mental state. These chemicals are usually sprayed onto some kind of plant material, which gives them a more natural appearance and enables the consumption of the substance through smoking. K2 is also sold in liquid form, so it is can be vaporized and inhaled through that method. This is commonly done with vaporizers and e-cigarettes.

The Basics of K2

K2 belongs to a category of substances known as new psychoactive substances (NPS). These substances were not regulated for some time, which has historically made them easier to obtain than regulated drugs. There are now hundreds of brands of synthetic cannabinoids on the market, and they can be obtained at a variety of stores as well as online.

Today, however, many of the chemicals commonly found in K2 have been scheduled as illegal. Yet, individuals are consistently attempting to skirt these regulations by changing the chemical compounds in the drug, according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. This can result in more unpredictable and dangerous concoctions that can lead to overdose.

K2 and other synthetic cannabinoids are often referred to as synthetic marijuana, but this term is misleading. Though some of the effects of K2 and marijuana can be similar, the substances are not chemically related in any way. Drugs like K2 are often marked as a safe alternative to marijuana, though this is not the case; the effects of K2 can be unpredictable and dangerous.

Packaging often warns that K2 is “not for human consumption,” but those who use it disregard this warning. There is a lot of false advertising when it comes to K2, as labeling will often indicate that the packages contain natural material. While K2 does contain some natural material, the effects of the drug come from the synthetic chemicals that have been sprayed onto the dried plant substance.

Effects of K2

K2 interacts with the same brain cell receptors as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the active chemical in marijuana. This is the reason that the drug is commonly associated with marijuana and sometimes referenced as synthetic marijuana.

K2’s effects on the brain can be more significant than those of marijuana, making the drug more unpredictable and dangerous.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), K2 stays in a person’s system for a long time, and the long-term effects of the drug are still not fully known. Individuals who have taken K2 have exhibited serious short-term symptoms and problems, including:

It’s clear that while some effects of K2 are similar to those of marijuana, there are some that do not mirror marijuana at all. Such effects can result in dangerous behaviors. Like all synthetic substances, it’s difficult for individuals who use them to know exactly what they are getting when they purchase these substances.

Prevalence of K2

In 2010, more than 11,000 people were admitted to the ER as a result of synthetic cannabinoids, according to NIDA. Seventy-five percent of these individuals were between the ages of 12 and 29. Additionally, more than 75% of those admitted to the ER with a synthetic cannabinoid-related issue were male.

No deadly overdoses of the drug have been reported, but ER visits appear to be on the rise. New York City reported about 8,000 ER visits related to K2 between January 2015 and July 2016.

A 2016 study done by NIDA found that K2 use may begin early. Nearly 3% of 8th-grade students surveyed reported using the drug, and that number increased with age, landing at 3.5% among 12th graders. The Monitoring the Future Survey conducted in 2014 showed that synthetic cannabinoids were some of the most used drugs among high school seniors, second only to marijuana. However, since regulation regarding K2 has increased, use in high schools has seen a general decrease.

K2 Safety & Overdose

K2 is even more dangerous due to prevalent myths regarding its status as a “safe” substance. People mistakenly believe the drug is safe, and as a result, they may chronically misuse it, risking serious dangers and addiction.

As previously mentioned, K2 is significantly more potent and dangerous than marijuana and has been responsible for thousands of emergency room visits and short-term health problems, including overdose.

Signs of K2 overdose may include:

• Elevated blood pressure.
• Reduced blood supply to the heart.
• Kidney damage.
• Seizures.

Seek medical attention immediately if you think you or someone you love might be experiencing an overdose.

K2 Addiction

It has been found that synthetic cannabinoids can be 100 times more powerful than marijuana and highly addictive, which can lead to withdrawal if the substance is suddenly removed from an individual’s system. Withdrawal may result in an irritable attitude, headaches, depression, and anxiety. Withdrawal is an exceptionally unstable time for an individual with a physical dependence on a substance, so medical supervision is advised.

While new psychoactive substances like K2 are difficult to control due to the ever-changing chemistry involved in the synthesis of the drug, authorities have been cracking down significantly in recent years. In 2011, 5 common components of K2 were classified as Schedule I drugs, according to the DEA.

State, city, and federal officials are consistently attempting to stiffen regulations on the sale of synthetic cannabinoids. New York City, for example, has banned the use or sale of any variant or version of the drug in an attempt to close some of the loopholes for manufacturers and distributors of K2. There have also been significant arrests and seizures relating to synthetic cannabinoids, which should serve as a significant deterrent for manufacturers.

Find Drug Rehabs Near You

If you or a loved one struggle with synthetic cannabinoid use, treatment can help. American Addiction Centers (AAC) operates substance use treatment centers throughout the United States. Reach out today to begin your path to recovery.