Spice: know the terrible effects of synthetic marijuana

A substitute made in laboratories is the new and dangerous drug in fashion.

The fast-paced lifestyle brought about by the age of technology and social networks, the vortex of electronic information and access to any product at a click of a button are bringing the product and the consumer into total proximity.

Spice, the drug that imitates cannabis

Currently, there is a tendency to consume everything in an expeditious way and looking for maximum pleasure, no matter how much you have to pay if the purpose is to enjoy a unique experience. enjoy a unique experience.. The industry is interested in the consumer being impulsive and not reflexive. Examples abound, from the famous fast food chains, which offer their products in a matter of minutes, to the trade of synthetic drugs, with the sole purpose of satisfying the addiction of thousands of people in the world and achieving economic gains, regardless of the damage caused by the addiction to those people involved in the consumer vice.

It is well known that the drug trafficking business moves millions of dollars worldwide. It is estimated that the amount that over the course of a year is 300,000 to 500,000 million dollars, astronomical figuresThese astronomical figures end up in the hands of those involved in this illegal business, which leaves thousands of deaths associated with consumption itself, as well as disputes between drug traffickers.

Synthetic drug trafficking has been gaining ground internationally for more than 10 years, and is one of the most profitable businesses for traffickers, since the cost of the product is usually lower compared to drugs of natural origin.

The creativity of traffickers when it comes to elaborating and processing it knows no limits.. The systems for transporting merchandise are not far behind, often using people as messengers of the product (mules), even transporting prohibited substances by strategically placing them in watches, cell phones, chairs, shoes, etc.

Chemistry at the service of the drug business

One of the famous drugs popularized by the media five years ago seemed to have disappeared from the map, but nowadays people are talking again about the so-called "Spice", a synthetic drug made from herbs and other substances sprayed with chemicals.which, according to specialists produces effects similar to those of marijuana. We are talking about a type of drug that simulates the effects of marijuana.

Obviously, these effects are usually more dangerous and severe in the case of Spice, since it is a drug elaborated in laboratories whose chemical components are not known with certainty, and this makes Spice a drug whose effects can be much more unpredictable than common marijuana.

This drug is one of the most consumed in the USA, and at the end of 2012 it arrived in Europe. In the United States, acquiring this type of drug is worryingly easy: it can be bought by anyone through the Internet or in places called "head shops"; legal or clandestine drug stores.

The mode of consumption is the same as with cannabis, in some cases many addicts often combine other types of substances such as herbal tea, or combine this synthetic drug with natural cannabis.. According to experts, the latter practice is the most risky and dangerous.

Effects of the drug Spice

The symptoms caused by this synthetic drug when consumed are similar to those of cannabis. Users report experiences such as a heightened state of mind, a feeling of relaxation and altered perception of reality. of reality. Some cases reveal psychotic effects, such as anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations.

Among its medium and long term side effects, we can find:

• Anxiety

• High blood pressure

• Disorientation

• Alteration of perception

Although the effects of Spice on brain functions have not yet been analyzed with scientific research, it is known that the cannabinoid components contained in Spice act on the same neuronal receptors as marijuana with THC.. However, the chemical elements found in Spice adhere more aggressively to the receptors, which could result in much more severe effects. In addition, it should be noted that the control of the substances contained in Spice is poor, and in some cases the drug may be adulterated with compounds that are highly harmful to the body and may have worse effects than those described.

Regular users of Spice who were hospitalized suffered from tachycardia, vomiting, restlessness, confusion and hallucinations.. Synthetic marijuana alters Blood Pressure and can cause poor blood supply to the heart. Cases of myocardial infarction have been reported. Addicts may also suffer withdrawal symptoms.

Although many of the effects of Spice are still unknown, experts warn of the presence of heavy metals in some Spice blends, which are totally aggressive to human physiology.totally aggressive to human physiology.

Treatment for synthetic marijuana addiction

The treatment to be implemented is the same as in cases of addiction to other narcotic substances. The medical and neurological examination is essential to know what are the possible damages caused by the drug on the addict's mental and physical health.

The population most vulnerable to developing an addiction to Spice, both in the USA and in Europe, is that between 14 and 20 years of age. A very important fact is that Deborah Carr, a member of the American Association of Poison Control Centers, points out that, In 2011 alone, that center reported a total of 13,000 calls for help to treat cases derived from the use of synthetic drugs.. Among these thirteen thousand calls, 60% of the cases involved people under 25 years of age.

Currently, the effects of this drug on the brain area are still being investigated in order to know which parts may be the most affected after continuous consumption of Spice. It is known that the damage it can cause in the brain is irremediable, and for this reasonIt is for this reason that authorities in countries where the drug is already widely consumed are appealing to consumers to be aware of the danger of this drug and its short, medium and long term effects.

Although the drug can already be found in most European countries, several states have banned its entry and sale, as is the case in France and the United Kingdom.