The technology has made it simple to manufacture these using synthetic compounds from clothing material to building materials. Also, others have found ways to manufacture chemicals that have similar effects as illegal drugs in the drugs world. Synthetic cannabinoids are one of them.
It comes under various names and also containing various chemicals. They come as the perfect substitute for illegal drugs providing people a way of getting high without getting in trouble with the law. People are now using these products as they believe that they are safe, but they are nowhere near that. This article will provide full details about synthetic cannabinoids.
About Synthetic Cannabinoid
Synthetic cannabinoids are mind-altering chemicals that are man-made. They are sprayed on shredded plant particles to be smoked. They also come in liquid forms used in vaporizing devices such as e-cigarettes. It’s called synthetic cannabinoid because the chemicals found in it are similar to those found in natural marijuana.
Unlike the compounds found in marijuana, which occur naturally, those found in synthetic cannabis are produced in laboratories. Though usually marketed as safe alternatives to natural marijuana, the truth is that they are not. They contain more powerful chemicals which are very potent. Their effects are unpredictable in most cases, life-threatening.
Synthetic cannabinoids are included in the groups of drugs called new psychoactive substances (NPS). There is no regulation on NPS, and they produce the same effects as illegal drugs. Deceit from manufacturers that the products are natural to have contributed the increased use among the young people. By being advertised as natural products, most people will assume that they are safe to use.
Additionally, another reason for their increased use is that standard drug tests cannot easily detect the chemicals in these products.
What Does Synthetic Cannabinoid Do?
Synthetic marijuana, just like THC, affects the brain cell receptors resulting in the high. Many of the products have labels such as herbal incense or potpourri. Those who use herbal buds report that they have a similar high to that of marijuana, although it does not last long. While others experience relaxation without the head high that the natural marijuana produces.
However, others have experienced a throat burn and aching of lungs after a smoke. Moreover, there is no way of knowing the type and amount of chemicals present in the compound. As such, there is no way of telling the effects and potential health hazards they might have on you.
Often some are marked as 100% organic, which is untrue for all synthetic cannabinoids products. The tests conducted on these products have shown that they contain synthetic cannabinoids and chemicals produced in the laboratories. The HU-210 is a synthetic psychoactive compound produced in laboratories. It has a similar structure to Delta 8 THC, therefore, producing similar effects. The HU-210 is a controlled substance in the U.S., and as a result, it is mainly found in Europe.
The manufactures are always on top of their game. As soon as one of the core ingredients becomes illegal, they create new ones to continue legally delivering their products. The list of dangerous substances continues to grow. Some of these products have caused unexplained bleeding, others even death. Other reports have shown an increased number of patients in emergency rooms as a result of these substances. The cause of the emergencies includes violent Behavior, suicidal thoughts, and seizures, among many other serious incidents.
How to Use Synthetic Cannabinoids
Synthetic cannabinoids are used the same way as marijuana:
- It can be mixed with tobacco, rolled into a joint, and then smoked.
- Others use a bong or pipe to some of it. Then it can be swallowed, mixed with food, or added to a drink.
- It is available in e-liquid form.
With the availability of e-cigarettes, synthetic cannabinoids for them is now available.
How Does Synthetic Cannabinoid Make You Feel?
Synthetic cannabis has similar effects to natural marijuana. Since its active components act similar to THC, they target the ECS receptors responsible for the high one feels after taking marijuana. However, synthetic chemicals have high potency compared to natural cannabis.
Therefore, react strongly with the brain’s receptors. As a result, it’s very much more accessible to overdose resulting in unpleasant experiences and harmful effects.
The usual effects include being happy, feeling euphoric, relaxation, and others become talkative. Others get the giggles and the hunger pangs associated with natural cannabis. They further alter the mood and perception resulting in poor concentration and coordination.
On the other end, others feel paranoia, panic attacks, and being forgetful. Synthetic cannabinoids have increased potency compared to natural cannabis and are more likely to cause hallucinations.
Side Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoids
Whilst research is still in progress, the full extent to which synthetic marijuana products have on the human body is still unknown. The DEA report states that overdoses of these substances have caused fatal heart attacks. Moreover, they have caused severe kidney injuries resulting in the hospitalization of the users.
In a study of drivers arrested over driving whilst intoxicated, those who had used synthetic marijuana had increased effects. These include increased confusion, disorientation, and lack of coordination compared to those taking natural marijuana. Those who had used synthetic marijuana were found to have a slurred speech, which is not usually associated with the use of natural marijuana.
Moreover, increased blood pressure, seizures, tremors, and anxiety are results of using synthetic marijuana. One of the synthetic compounds used is JWH-018, which also binds to the ECS receptors. John Huffman helped with the compound’s development. He emphasized that the chemical should not be used as it is potentially dangerous.
The apparent reason is that it is a new compound, and there isn’t enough research to determine its toxicity. Also, the effects of its by-products after metabolism are still lacking; therefore, they should not be used. This compound is in the DEA Schedule 1 controlled substances.
Being an uncontrolled substance, manufacturers can readily temper the product even if it causes death to its users. This puts people at high risk. Another case in which synthetic marijuana was laced with rat poison caused uncontrollable bleeding in hundreds of users, and several others died.
What to Look Out For On Synthetic Cannabinoids?
For beginners trying out marijuana, it can be quite difficult to distinguish synthetic from natural marijuana. As such, sellers often target young people who are usually unaware of the risks associated with those products. The chemical content of the synthetic cannabinoid frequently changes, making it very unpredictable. However, a couple of things remain the same and can aid you in recognizing this dangerous substance. By knowing these things, you will be able to refuse once offered such products.
Synthetic cannabinoids list includes brand names Spice, K2, Joker, Black Mamba, Kush, and Kronic. These are the names that should raise your internal red flag when you hear them. The likelihood of these substances being safe is very slim, and the current chemical content is mostly unknown. To make the product more lucrative, the packaging comes in bright bottles and packaging material. This way, the products are appealing to the younger generation, who are likely to question the product’s safety as they will only want to be high.
Finally, never purchase any drug from an unauthorized source. Make sure the seller can provide the full details of the ingredients and information about the source of the product. Be sure to note these details as they can help you avoid a dangerous experience or even a fatal one.
What FDA Gives Statement On Synthetic Cannabinoid Products?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated the use of synthetic cannabinoid products. This was a result of the reported severe illness and deaths resulting from the use of these products. The products contain brodifacoum which is commonly used in rat poisoning.
The deliberate inclusion of this dangerous chemical is to supposedly increase the duration of the high. However, brodifacoum is an anticoagulant, meaning that if you start to bleed, the wound won’t clot to close the blood vessels; therefore, you are likely to bleed a lot, and if severe death may occur. On top of putting the users at risk, there is a potential of having a contaminated blood supply, especially if donated by people who use synthetic products.
The potential contamination of donated blood is of high concern. The FDA received several reports of donors using synthetic marijuana containing brodifacoum. Brodifacoum has a high shelf life and can persist for weeks within the body. It prevents vitamin K reusability in the body as such bleeding risks are still high even after taking the synthetic products for days.
As a result of concern for both the donor and the recipient, it is important to understand the impact the dangerous brodifacoum has on a person’s health. Most are buying synthetic cannabinoids from convenience stores and gas stations. They are available under the names of K2 and Spice, among many other available street names. The FDA has previously collaborated with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to place some synthetic chemical compounds under schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act.
Some adverse synthetic cannabinoid side effects include rapid heart rate, increase in blood pressure, vomiting, violent behavior, and suicidal thoughts. They further cause the reduced blood supply to the heart and kidney damage to the high toxicity of the chemicals found in these products. Seizures also occur among the users of synthetic marijuana.
Despite efforts to eliminate these products from the people, the manufacturers always find ways to bypass the laws. They do this by marking the products as “not for human consumption” when distributing them. Some even go the extra mile to change the structure of the chemicals to forge the legal requirements.
Therefore, for those who may want to try out synthetic marijuana, the advice is don’t. The products are extremely dangerous, especially with the deliberate addition of brodifacoum. Those who had used these drugs should continuously check for signs of bleeding, especially in the gums and nose bleeds. If you experience these symptoms, you should immediately seek out medical help as the effects are treatable. Furthermore, those taking prescription medicine are at high risk of the dangerous effects of taking synthetic marijuana.
The FDA urges people not to use synthetic cannabinoid products because of the stated reasons and others yet still unknown. Since there is no way of telling which products have been laced with the poisonous brodifacoum, it’s safe to abandon the use of these illegal drugs.
Conclusion
With a competition of trying to create the best potent synthetic cannabinoid, more dangerous various forms are resulting. Furthermore, the manufacturers are creating more new chemical compounds to replace the ones that have been illegalized. With the chemical content changing regularly, the health risks are also increasing.
The new drugs being introduced have very high potency, such that the effects they have on the body can be disastrous. Also, teenagers and those below 25 whose brains are still developing these drugs can have undesired effects such as disruption of the brain. This usually results in mental illness later on. As such, the best way to avoid experiencing the nasty effects of fake weed is vital to avoid using it.
