Synthetic marijuana – or spice/K2 – can result in brain alterations similar to the real thing, but with the added danger that many of its chemical components and other ingredients are often unknown.

Description

Spice is a mildly hallucinogenic mix of dried plant material that is laced with synthetic cannabinoids (chemicals similar to THC, the active ingredient in marijuana). But because the chemical composition of many products sold as spice is unknown, it can contain substances that could cause dramatically different effects than the user might expect.

The Effects

When it comes to spice or K2, you really don’t know what exactly is in the mix—many different ingredients have been found that have a high potential for abuse. The inconsistency and variability of ingredients can lead to unexpected harm to your body and brain. People taken to emergency rooms have symptoms that include rapid heart rate, vomiting, hypothermia, agitation, confusion and hallucinations. The drug has also been linked to acute kidney injuries, which left untreated, can lead the kidneys to shut down.

Filling your body with unknown substances can have severe consequences. New risks have continued to emerge – including signs of withdrawal and addiction – however, it’s not yet known how the synthetic cannabinoids and other ingredients in spice may affect you down the line.


Sources
Above The Influence. February 2016. View Source.