Spice Overdose and Side Effects 

What is Spice?

Spice is not naturally made marijuana, which is why it is also called “fake weed” or “synthetic marijuana.”

Manufacturers of Spice (mainly in Asia, but also in the U.S.) make their phony products look like marijuana. These illicit manufacturers create different chemicals in a lab and then spray them on plant matter to make them look like marijuana. Spice makers abroad must get their products through U.S. customs and into shops. To do so, they most often put the fake weed in foil packaging and label it as “incense” or “potpourri.” To avoid detection, they usually write “Not for Human Consumption” on the packaging. Spice is also sold as a liquid that can be smoked in an e-cigarette or vaporized.

The story of Spice is full of dangerous twists. It appears that Spice got its start when its makers created synthetic THC in laboratories. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain. The brain has cannabinoid receptors because it naturally makes cannabinoids but releases them in a much lower dose compared to THC levels in marijuana. When THC binds with cannabinoid receptors, it affects an individual’s coordination, memory, and perception of time. Synthetic THC acts like natural THC on the cannabinoid receptor site. Synthetic marijuana emerged most likely because one or more people with a background in chemistry got ahold of the synthetic THC recipe and started making it, with a profit intention.

John Huffman, a Harvard University-educated chemist, is the father of the chemical formula for synthetic THC. At some point in the early 1990s, Huffman received funding to study cannabinoids. It was difficult to get approval to use real marijuana since it is a federally controlled substance. As a workaround, Huffman created a compound he called JWH-018, a synthetic cannabinoid. It appears that the most Huffman and his team did with this compound was create an experiment, test it on laboratory mice, and write a report. However, the formula surfaced a few years later as an alternative to real marijuana.

The JWH-018 compound was being used to help people get a marijuana-like high without testing positive on a drug test for naturally occurring THC. More recently, synthetic marijuana emerged in the incense-like and liquid format, available at gas stations and convenience stores.

Spice Side Effects

Individuals who use synthetic cannabinoids have absolutely no way of knowing what chemicals are included in the formula. Unfortunately, it’s the same for U.S. Customs, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and law enforcement. The makers of the chemicals that go into Spice have been able to stay a step ahead of consumers and public health and safety agencies. For instance, by March 2011, authorities had information about 5 chemical compounds that were being used in Spice and made them illegal (JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, cannabicyclohexanol, and CP-47,497). But there are various harmful and even deadly chemicals entering the market under the guise of being incense or potpourri.

There are stories about the side effects of Spice use throughout the United States. But let’s be clear: The street names Spice, fake weed, and synthetic marijuana are all misnomers because these drugs may not even contain synthetic THC. It would be more accurate to call them toxicants and poisons of unknown origin.

Side effects that have been reported after synthetic cannabinoid use include:

The Foundation for a Drug-Free World discusses the long-term effects of Spice use. The chemical ingredients of Spice are likely to be psychoactive, which, in turn, likely makes them addictive. Some of the signs of a synthetic cannabinoid addiction can include:

• Using the substance in greater amounts or for longer than intended.
• Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from the use of the substance.
• Giving up activities that were once enjoyed to use the substance.
• Developing a tolerance to the substance, meaning it takes more of the substance to get the desired effect, or the same amount no longer produces the same effect.

It can also be helpful to review the clinical criteria involved in diagnosing a substance use disorder—some of which are listed above. Mental health clinicians rely on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose all recognized substance use disorders. Per the DSM-5, there are a total of 11 diagnostic criteria. A person must have at least two of the 11 criteria in a 12-month period to receive a diagnosis. The greater the number of criteria present, the greater the severity grading (e.g., mild, moderate, or severe). The 11 criteria cover the physical, psychological, and behavioral aspects of addiction.

If a person who chronically uses synthetic cannabinoids suddenly stops use or drastically cuts back on their use, withdrawal symptoms can emerge. Withdrawal symptoms that have been reported in association with synthetic cannabinoid use include:

• Tremors.
• Nightmares.
• Heavy sweating.
• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Insomnia.
• Headaches.
• Extreme fatigue.
• Problems thinking clearly.
• Neglecting responsibilities.
• Loss of interest in activities.

There are some known long-term medical complications, including kidney problems, paralysis, confusion, and forgetfulness. One potential complication for treatment providers is that synthetic cannabinoid-related conditions have a unique and possibly heretofore unseen pathology. Synthetic cannabinoid use truly introduces new toxicants into the body, and the full extent of harm is unknown.

Overdose Risks

Case reports indicate that consuming synthetic cannabinoids, like Spice or K2 can cause dangerous and unpredictable symptoms. Some reported risks associated with synthetic cannabinoid overdose include:

• Respiratory problems.
• Mental confusion.
• Instability.
• Psychotic symptoms such as psychosis.
• Stroke.
• Paralysis.
• Coma.

Finding Help for Synthetic Cannabinoid Addiction

As previously mentioned, synthetic cannabinoid intoxication can be unpredictable. Depending on the chemical ingredients in the given batch. The good news, however, is that treatment can help you stop synthetic cannabinoid use and recovery is possible. Reach out to American Addiction Centers (AAC) to connect with a knowledgeable admissions navigator, who can answer your questions, explain your options, and assist you in getting the help you need.