What are Synthetic Cannabinoids (K2 or Spice) and Treatment Options for Abuse

Synthetic Cannabinoids aka K2 or Spice

Synthetic drugs have grown in popularity in recent years due to a perceived safety about their use. In reality, synthetic drugs can be much costlier than actual drug come in and synthetics are addictive. Unfortunately, most people consider synthetic cannabinoids safe due to their but synthetic cannabinoids are often labeled as not for human consumption, and those who are using synthetic cannabinoids or who may suspect the use of the substances in family members or friends need to how they affect the body, why they are considered to be an alternative to real drugs, and what side effects exist when consumed.

Prevalence of Synthetic Cannabinoid Drugs

Synthetic cannabinoid-related deaths tripled in 2015, and the expectations for 2016 are not much better, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Synthetic cannabinoids are often much more powerful than marijuana or other illicit drugs. Furthermore, synthetic cannabinoids are typically made by spraying man-made chemicals on some form of plant matter. In some cases, this plant matter alone may induce hallucinogenic effects or the otherwise unsafe for ingestion period when the matter is sprayed with a synthetic cannabinoid-substance, the effects can be even more potent.

As a result, the FDA has outlawed specific synthetic cannabinoid substances, but synthetic cannabinoid manufacturers have overstepped the ability of the FDA to limit this trend by simply changing the formulation for each. In other words, not a single disposition over placement of a small ingredients will evade the FDA scratched. Furthermore, many synthetic cannabinoids may be manufactured overseas and those who are purchasing in the US have another problem.

What Is the Hidden Danger of Using Synthetic Cannabinoids?

Since synthetic cannabinoids represent a major portion of the synthetic drug industry, those who are abusing these substances need to know more about them. When a synthetic substance is sprayed onto the respective plant matter, the actual strength and amount of each can vary greatly from that’s too bad. This leads to the increased risk of accidental overdose from the substances, and researchers have yet to Define how much does a this may affect the human body. However, the immediate side effects include the following:

• Nausea.
• The vomiting.
• Hallucinations.
• Paranoia.
• Seizures.
• Delusions. New lines heart arrhythmias.
• Increased respiratory rate.
• Increased blood pressure. New lines insomnia.
• Aggression.

Additionally, this list of side effects is not comprehensive, which means the side effects from each different formulation of synthetic cannabinoids can vary greatly. Well, one batch may have minimal side effects on the human body, the next batch could easily result in a cardiovascular event, such as a stroke or heart attacks common or another dosage of synthetic cannabinoids could actually interact with human medications.

What About Taking Medications and Consuming Synthetic Cannabinoids?

Human medications are studied extensively for their interactions with other medications, and researchers have also studied the interactive effects of medications with some herbal supplements. However, the continually changing nature make such studies nearly impossible. As a result, those who are currently taking medication for the treatment of medical or mental illnesses could suffer a severe adverse reaction from consuming synthetic cannabinoids at the same time as taking prescription medications. When withdrawing from synthetic cannabinoids, medical supervision may be necessary, such as through non 12-step rehab centers, to ensure other medications do not interact with traces in the body.

Unfortunately, the synthetic drug market appears to be growing. In Florida, the incidence of synthetic cannabinoids has grown significantly, but many people consider synthetic cannabinoids to be a safe alternative to smoking marijuana or consuming edibles. However, those who have consumed synthetic cannabinoids or who know of others who are doing so need to understand what they can do, why they are being abused, and what it could mean for the treatment of co-occurring mental health and medical illnesses through non 12-step recovery programs.

The Treatment Specialist will connect you to a treatment center to help guide you and provide you with treatment options. The treatment center team will provide a free confidential assessment and insurance verification. For more information on treatment programs for yourself or a loved one, contact the helpline at (866) 644-7911.