What is Synthetic Marijuana?

Marijuana is a plant that people smoke to experience mind-altering effects like euphoria, changes in sensory perception, laughter, drowsiness, and more. While it remains federally illegal, certain states have made recreational and medical marijuana legal.

Because some states still criminalize weed, some people resort to using synthetic marijuana. Also known as synthetic cannabinoids, these substances are not just one drug. Hundreds of different synthetic compounds are created and sold as an alternative to marijuana.

Synthetic marijuana can be sold in gas stations and head shops because it is marketed as “not for human consumption.” It is referred to as a synthetic cannabinoid because it acts on the same cannabinoid receptors in the brain as marijuana.[1] However, these substances affect the brain in different ways from weed and in many cases cause dangerous adverse effects.

Some of the risks of abusing synthetic weed include psychosis, seizures, breathing problems, gastrointestinal issues, kidney failure, and even heart attacks.[2] If you or a loved one abuse synthetic cannabinoid products, you should seek help from a drug and alcohol rehab center.

In this article, you will learn:

• What are synthetic cannabinoids?
• Is synthetic weed addictive?
• What are the dangers of using synthetic marijuana?

What is Synthetic Weed?

Synthetic weed or marijuana is a type of research chemical that was created to mimic the effects of cannabis. These substances act on the same cannabinoid receptors that marijuana affects. However, they can cause very different side effects, with some symptoms being dangerous or even life-threatening.

Synthetic cannabinoids can be used in the following ways:

• Sprayed onto a plant material and smoked
• Mixed into a liquid and vaped
• Added to an herbal tea or food and swallowed

People buy synthetic cannabinoids from gas stations, convenience stores, drug dealers, and online. They are often sold as herbal incense or potpourri under brand names like K2, Spice, AK-47, Mr. Happy, and Scooby Snax.[3]

It is difficult to pinpoint the effects of synthetic cannabinoids because of their differences in chemical makeup.[4] You could experience dizziness and drowsiness or increased energy and paranoia. The most common adverse effects include mental health issues, cardiovascular problems, seizures, increased blood pressure, and irregular heart rate.

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Are Synthetic Cannabinoids Addictive?

Synthetic cannabis is extremely habit-forming and addictive. If you have a family history of mental illness or addiction, you have an increased risk of developing an addiction to K2 or spice.

The signs of synthetic cannabinoid addiction include:

• Using K2 in larger amounts or for longer than intended
• Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, and recovering from the use of spice
• Experiencing urges or cravings to abuse synthetic weed
• Wanting to quit using K2 but being unsuccessful
• Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities to have more time to use spice
• Failing to meet responsibilities at home, school, or work due to synthetic weed use
• Using K2 even though it is causing social or relationship issues
• Continuing to use spice despite facing an increase in mental health conditions or physical health risks
• Using synthetic weed in risky situations, such as while driving
• Needing to increase the dose of K2 to experience the desired effect
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using spice

If you deal with 2 or more of the mentioned symptoms, you are suffering from a substance use disorder. In other words, you’ll need to attend an addiction treatment center to recover from synthetic cannabinoid abuse. Medical detox, evidence-based therapies, and relapse prevention can help you achieve long-term recovery from K2 or spice.

What are the Dangers of Synthetic Marijuana?

Synthetic cannabinoids are a risky and unpredictable drug to abuse. Before consuming K2 or spice, there is no way to know what effects you’ll experience. You could experience symptoms similar to depressants, stimulants, or even hallucinogenic drugs.

That said, all forms of synthetic weed can lead to adverse effects, especially among vulnerable individuals with mental or physical health conditions. Some of the dangers of synthetic marijuana include:[2]

• Agitation, irritability, and paranoia
• Mental confusion and trouble concentrating
• Dizziness and drowsiness
• Increased heart rate and high blood pressure
• Psychosis, including hallucinations and delusions
• Suicidal thoughts or violent behavior
• Seizures
• Trouble breathing
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Heart attack, and stroke
• Acute kidney injury or failure
• Muscle damage

Many of the risks of abusing synthetic cannabinoids are life-threatening. It is never worth the high you might experience to abuse these drugs. If you are struggling with spice or K2 addiction, you must seek help from a drug rehab program.

Get Connected to Addiction Treatment for Spice or K2

If you or a loved one abuse synthetic marijuana, it’s time to seek professional help. Even short-term use of these drugs can lead to life-threatening emergencies like heart attack, stroke, and seizures. Because of this, you should always attend an addiction treatment program that can help you overcome spice or K2 addiction.

At the Mandala Healing Center, we offer an individualized and evidence-based approach to addiction treatment. In our program, you’ll receive medical detox, individual therapy, group counseling, holistic care, and relapse prevention planning. In other words, we offer all of the tools and support you’ll need to achieve long-term recovery from synthetic marijuana.

Why Choose The Mandala Healing Center? Clients are taken on a journey of healing through complete immersion into evidence-based clinical modalities, multifaceted alternative therapies, and expert medical management, allowing them to fully detox and recover from drug and alcohol addictions. Through a program of care designed to encourage change, a foundation is created that allows clients to find their higher purpose and reclaim their lives.

Contact us today for more information on how we can help you recover from synthetic cannabinoid addiction.

References:

1. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Synthetic Cannabinoids
2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): About Synthetic Cannabinoids
3. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Spice/K2, Synthetic Marijuana
4. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime: Details for synthetic cannabinoids