For several years, synthetic cannabinoid mixtures have been easy to buy in drug paraphernalia shops, novelty stores, gas stations, and over the internet. Because the chemicals used in them have no medical benefit and a high potential for abuse, authorities have made it illegal to sell, buy, or possess some of these chemicals. However, manufacturers try to sidestep these laws by changing the chemical formulas in their mixtures. Easy access and the belief that synthetic cannabinoid products are natural and therefore harmless, have likely contributed to their use among young people.
Another reason for their continued use is that standard drug tests cannot easily detect many of the chemicals used in these products. The most common way to use synthetic cannabinoids is to smoke the dried plant material. Users also mix the sprayed plant material with marijuana or brew it as tea.
Other users buy synthetic cannabinoid products as liquids to vaporize in e-cigarettes. Synthetic cannabinoids act on the same brain cell receptors as THC deltatetrahydrocannabinol , the mind-altering ingredient in marijuana. So far, there have been few scientific studies of the effects of synthetic cannabinoids on the human brain, but researchers do know that some of them bind more strongly than marijuana to the cell receptors affected by THC and can produce much stronger effects.
The resulting health effects can be unpredictable and dangerous. Because the chemical composition of many synthetic cannabinoid products is unknown and may change from batch to batch, these products are likely to contain substances that cause dramatically different effects than the user might expect. People who have used synthetic cannabinoids and have been taken to emergency rooms have shown severe effects including:.
Yes, synthetic cannabinoids can be addictive. Regular users trying to quit may have the following withdrawal symptoms:. Behavioral therapies and medications have not specifically been tested for treatment of addiction to these products.
This makes old testing kits quickly outdated and makes it more likely for new drugs to slip silently under the radar before being discovered. Newer K2 drug test kits must therefore test for multiple compounds, both old and new. This increases their chances of detecting any illegal substances in the given sample. Spice is practically never excreted in its original form. It is metabolized within body cells and removed through various waste products like urine and sweat.
These Factors Include:. Synthetic cannabinoids are metabolized by different pathways than natural cannabinoids. They undergo extensive glucuronidation within the liver to give high concentrations of glucuronic acid-conjugated metabolites within the urine.
They also undergo metabolism via hydroxylation, particularly within the lungs. The cytochrome oxidase pathways are particularly important in the hydroxylation of Spice metabolites within the body. One major hurdle faced by researchers when they attempt to determine the half-life of Spice is that the drug is made up of several compounds.
Every year new synthetic cannabinoids are created, each with their unique chemical properties, adverse effects and risks. Therefore the half-lives most commonly quoted are those of the most studied elements of synthetic marijuana. Some of the most popularly studied forms include JWH, which has a half-life of This means both drugs are quickly eliminated from the body. Another important feature of synthetic cannabinoids is that they rarely exist in their original state within our cells.
This is due to their rapid metabolism within our bodies. Even the metabolites formed are quickly broken down, giving a concise window to administer a Spice drug test. Therefore researchers are especially interested in how long these substances remain at detectable levels within our bodies. This has led to the discovery of the respective half-lives within different body tissues. Generally, detectable levels of synthetic cannabinoids can be demonstrated in the blood for only hours after ingestion.
This poses a significant challenge in the detection and diagnosis of synthetic cannabinoid poisoning. Therefore blood tests for Spice are generally used to determine if the individual is actively under the influence of the drug. Newer Spice drug test kits are now able to detect a wider range of metabolites.
Current test kits can detect the characteristic metabolites produced up to 72 hours after consumption. This allows for testing for abuse.
The exact duration of time that K2 can remain detectable in hair samples is uncertain. This may be helpful for long-term addiction testing. Hair samples are, however, not routinely tested as they require more specialized testing techniques.
If you or a loved one has used synthetic marijuana and begin experiencing severe, unexplained bleeding or bruising, call or asked a loved one to take you to the hospital immediately. These are all signs of contaminated cannabinoid products. If you are a parent of a young adult, it pays to know the behaviors and physical effects of using fake weed. While exhibiting one or two of these signs might not mean that your child is using, they are all strong indicators of drug use and should be taken seriously.
Physical effects:. Contrary to common belief, herbal bud is not "natural marijuana. Synthetic marijuana is also far more potent, containing THC analogs or synthetic cannabinoids that can be up to times more potent than THC found in marijuana.
Often, additives, toxic impurities, and other types of drugs are also found in fake weed products. If you regularly use synthetic cannabinoids, you can also become both physically and psychologically dependent.
This means if you stop abruptly, you'll likely experience withdrawal symptoms. Since the chemical composition of fake weed is unknown and can change from batch to batch, tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal may also vary.
How long synthetic cannabinoids stay in your system depends on several factors, including the type, how it is administered i. Since these synthetic drugs don't trigger a positive result on most standard urine drug tests, many people turn to these drugs in an attempt to avoid positive drug screens for employment, rehab, or legal reasons.
Long-term, regular use of synthetic cannabinoids can lead to addiction. If you have a history of mental illness or a substance use disorder, the risk of addiction is even greater. In addition to building up a tolerance and experiencing symptoms of withdrawal, other signs of synthetic cannabinoid addiction can include:.
Symptoms of synthetic weed withdrawal can range from mild to severe, depending on how frequent and how long you have been using, and include the following:. If you suspect that someone you love is using synthetic marijuana, the most important thing you can do is spend time with them, communicate the dangers of fake weed, and watch for any signs of use.
While behavioral therapies and medications have yet to be specifically tested for the treatment of synthetic cannabinoid addiction, a healthcare professional can work with you and your loved one to safely detox from the drug as well as identify and treat any co-occurring mental illness.
For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. National Institutes of Health. Updated February US Senate. Statement of Joseph T. September Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Synthetic cannabinoids: what are they? What are their effects? Updated April US Drug Enforcement Agency. Drugs of abuse. June Impaired driving associated with the synthetic cannabinoid 5f-Adb.
J Forensic Sci Criminol. Zawilska JB, Wojcieszak J. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. Psychoyos D, Vinod KY. Marijuana, Spice 'herbal high', and early neural development: Implications for rescheduling and legalization. Drug Test Anal. Hadland SE, Levy S. Objective testing: Urine and other drug tests. Cooper ZD. Adverse effects of synthetic cannabinoids: Management of acute toxicity and withdrawal. Curr Psychiatry Rep. The effects of synthetic cannabinoid UR on the human body-a review of 39 cases.
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