Synthetic Marijuana

Synthetic Marijuana – The Legal High That’s Anything But

Synthetic marijuana – it goes by names like K2, Spice, and JWH-018 – burst onto the scene in the early 2000s as a “legal” alternative to the real stuff. Marketed as incense or potpourri, synthetic weed could be bought at gas stations, head shops, and online. No prescription needed. The products promised a marijuana-like high with the benefit of skirting drug laws. But as synthetic marijuana use became more widespread, the dark side became clear. This ain’t your hippie grandpa’s pot. Synthetic marijuana is dangerous, addictive, and can even kill. Let’s break down what makes this “legal” drug so risky.

How Synthetic Marijuana Works

Synthetic marijuana contains dried plant material sprayed with lab-created chemicals that mimic THC – the psychoactive compound in natural marijuana. These synthetic cannabinoids bind to the same cell receptors in the brain as THC, causing similar effects like euphoria, relaxation, hunger, and perceptual changes. But that’s where the similarities end. The synthetic cannabinoids found in synthetic weed are much more potent than THC – we’re talking 100 to 800 times stronger. And many of the compounds have never been tested on humans before. It’s like taking an experimental pharmaceutical that was never FDA approved. No one knows the long-term effects.

A Brief History of Synthetic Marijuana

Synthetic cannabinoids were first created by scientists doing research on the effects of cannabis on the brain. A guy named John Huffman (initials JWH – ring any bells?) synthesized hundreds of cannabinoids to study their psychoactive effects. But this compound he created called JWH-018 started showing up in synthetic marijuana products in the early 2000s. Manufacturers realized they could take obscure research chemicals, spray them on some tea leaves, and sell it legally since the compounds weren’t scheduled substances yet.

The DEA started banning some of the chemicals found in synthetic marijuana in 2011. But manufacturers stayed ahead of the law by constantly creating new synthetic cannabinoids that weren’t illegal yet. It became a game of whack-a-mole for law enforcement and lawmakers trying to regulate these ever-changing compounds. Even when states and the federal government passed laws banning the sale of synthetic marijuana generally, manufacturers labeled their products as “not for human consumption” to skirt the laws. Shady manufacturers were making millions getting people hooked on untested research chemicals.

Synthetic Marijuana Effects – Unpredictable and Dangerous

So what does synthetic marijuana actually do to you compared to regular weed? Well, it’s a total crapshoot. The ultra-potent, ever-changing synthetic cannabinoids completely throw your brain and body for a loop. Effects can range from chill to panic to psychotic:

• Relaxation, elevated mood, pain relief
• Anxiety, agitation, paranoia
• Racing heartbeat, high blood pressure
• Nausea, vomiting
• Psychosis, hallucinations
• Seizures
• Kidney damage and failure

You never know what you’re gonna get with synthetic marijuana. The same brand might make you feel mellow one day and send you to the ER the next. The unpredictable effects have lead to a surge in calls to poison control centers and ER visits from synthetic weed users having bad reactions.

And bad reactions can mean really bad…like death. Synthetic marijuana has been implicated in heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, seizures, suicide, and other organ damage. According to the CDC, over 11,000 people in the U.S. died from synthetic cannabinoid overdoses between 2014-2019. Many users report getting hooked after just trying it once or twice. The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported over 6,500 calls for synthetic marijuana exposures in 2020 alone.

Why Synthetic Marijuana Addiction is Common

The risks of synthetic marijuana go beyond unpredictable effects from use. These substances are extremely addictive – much more so than natural marijuana. Why? A few reasons:

• The synthetic cannabinoids bind much more strongly to brain receptors, causing a super-charged high. But the flip side is once the drug leaves the brain, it causes a harsh crash along with intense cravings.
• Many synthetic cannabinoids act as full agonists, meaning they fully activate the cell receptors. Natural THC is only a partial agonist, so its effects are milder.
• Frequent use of synthetic marijuana leads to rapid tolerance build up. Users need to take more and more to get high, leading to dependence and addiction.
• Withdrawal symptoms from synthetic marijuana addiction include anxiety, tremors, sweating, insomnia, appetite loss, and depression.

So synthetic marijuana poses a double-whammy – intense unpredictable effects while using, and severe withdrawal when trying to quit. No wonder addiction rates are so high.

The Takeaway

Synthetic marijuana may have been marketed as a legal, safer alternative to pot, but it’s proven itself to be anything but. The wide variety of synthetic cannabinoids used produce unpredictable and dangerous effects that can turn deadly. Lawmakers are racing to outlaw new chemical variations as soon as they hit the market. But for now, synthetic marijuana remains widely available at gas stations, smoke shops, and online in many areas.

While the packaging may claim its “not for human consumption”, synthetic marijuana is very much being consumed. And it’s wreaking havoc on the lives of those who get addicted. If you or someone you know is hooked on synthetic weed, don’t wait to get help. The longer you use, the harder it will be to quit. Treatment programs can help you detox and get back on track to living sober. Ditching synthetic marijuana may feel impossible now, but taking back your health and future is worth it.