Drugs can go by many names, but if you are unfamiliar with them, it can be confusing.

Although you may have heard the term Spice or K2 on the news, at a party, or in conversation, you may not be familiar with the ins and out of this newer drug. As providers of IOP drug treatment in Chicago, we want you to be informed so that you can recognize if someone you know is abusing this drug and be aware of the dangerous Spice side effects.

What Is Spice?

Spice or K2 are common brand names for synthetic cannabinoids. Some other drug street names for synthetic cannabinoids may include Arizona, Black Mamba, Scooby Snax, Blaze, Black Magic, and many more. These drugs are similar to the cannabinoids found in marijuana plants, but they are made in a lab. People will take dried plant materials and spray them with mind-altering chemicals to create new and stronger drug effects. Spice is typically smoked or converted into a liquid for e-cigarette devices.

Is Spice Legal?

At first, products like Spice and K2 were perfectly legal. As these products got more popular and the negative side effects become more well known, the government put laws in place to try and stop the legal sale of these drugs. Unfortunately, some places have still found loopholes to manufacture these products while others have simply started to do so illegally.¹

Spice Drug Effects

Because everyone is different and the chemical makeup of synthetic marijuana can vary, the side effects of Spice and K2 can vary dramatically. Some possible Spice drug effects include:

• Euphoria
• Feelings of relaxation
• Heightened awareness of surroundings
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia and anxiety
• Confusion
• Increased heart rate
• Psychosis
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures

Is Spice Dangerous?

While it may be easy to brush off some of the harmful side effects of Spice as something that could not happen to you, do not be so sure. Although it may be marketed as synthetic marijuana or a safer form of weed, Spice is dangerous. Spice has been found to be responsible for 11,406 emergency room visits in 2010 alone when the drug was just starting to become popular in the United States.² The number of calls to poison control centers due to synthetic cannabinoids also peaked in 2015 with 7,792 calls.³

One of the biggest dangers of synthetic marijuana is that these products can contain many different ingredients in various amounts. The result may be a different mixture or combination in every product, and with hundreds of synthetic cannabinoids out there, the consumer can never be too sure exactly what they are getting. The result could be an overdose because the person doesn’t know how much they have taken or how strong the drug is. Spice may even be laced with toxic substances or other abused drugs that can cause even more severe health problems.

Is Spice Addictive?

Spice and K2 can also be addictive. People who use these drugs on a regular basis may experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop. Because of this, it is important that someone regularly using synthetic marijuana gets treatment. Our drug rehab in Naperville offers programs to help people quit for good.

If your loved one is addicted to these drugs, it is important that you try to get them help. Our drug intervention specialists in Chicago may be able to get your loved one into treatment and help you with the recovery process. Stop letting drugs or alcohol control the life of your loved one.

You may also save them from some serious health effects. Get more information on Banyan Chicago today by calling 888-280-4763.

Sources & References:

1. Drug Policy Alliance - Are synthetic cannabinoids legal?
2. SAMHSA - The DAWN Report: Drug-Related Emergency Department Visits Involving Synthetic Cannabinoids
3. American Association of Poison Control Centers - Synthetic Cannabinoid Data