The 7 main characteristics of synthetic cannabis

A summary of the characteristics of synthetic cannabis, sometimes called K2 or Spice.

It is known that cannabis can be the cause of several mental health problems for its users, especially if they take it frequently and its age of onset was adolescence.

Despite the fact that the marijuana plant is still a drug, there is an artificial version that, despite being presented as a legal, harmless and natural alternative of this plant, the truth is that it is the product of clandestine laboratories of very negligent hygiene.

Here you will find a summary of the characteristics of synthetic cannabisAlthough we can advance that all of them involve a higher risk and addiction potential than conventional marijuana. Let's discover them below.

The most important characteristics of synthetic cannabis

Synthetic cannabis, more correctly called synthetic cannabinoids, are artificial chemical compounds whose psychoactive effects are similar to those produced by natural cannabis. artificial chemical compounds whose psychoactive effects are similar to those produced by natural cannabis. (Cannabis sativa). These chemicals are sprayed on dried and crushed plant matter and then smoked, although they can also be found in the form of liquids for electronic cigarettes or even to prepare infusions.

Synthetic cannabis goes by all sorts of names in the specialized market: synthetic marijuana, fake weed, Spice Gold, Spice Silver, pescao, K2, hardcore and Yucatan fire. Regardless of the name under which it is purchased, in most cases synthetic cannabis is presented as a supposedly legal and healthy alternative to conventional marijuana, even more "natural". The reality is quite the opposite: it is far more dangerous, addictive and potentially deadly than the real cannabis plant.

There are several characteristics of synthetic cannabis that distinguish it markedly from conventional marijuana.

1. High THC and no CBD content

The main reason synthetic cannabis is so dangerous is its composition. Although it is marketed as a healthy and natural alternative to marijuana, it is not natural at all. It is a laboratory-made substance, manufactured with a high content of artificial THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol).

THC is the "bad" substance in marijuana, the one responsible for the harmful psychoactive effects. Moreover, it is also this component that makes synthetic cannabis more addictive than the natural marijuana plant. Added to this, it contains zero content of cannabidiol or CBD, the "good" substance in marijuana.which is attributed with therapeutic and neuroprotective properties.

This means that synthetic marijuana has everything that is bad about cannabis and none of the medicinal properties that have been popularized in recent years. Because of this, synthetic cannabis is extremely neurotoxic.

Unstable and slippery formula in drug tests 3.

Synthetic cannabis is categorized in the group of drugs known as "new psychoactive substances". These are mind-altering substances, like conventional drugs, but since they are very new, there are still no clear regulations on them. Because of this, their use goes unnoticed as there are few specific tests to detect synthetic cannabis in drug tests.

Added to this there is no single formula for synthetic cannabinoids.. Each time the authorities register a form of synthetic cannabis as illegal, manufacturers change the formula and, taking advantage of a legal loophole, sell it. As the new formula remains unregistered due to ignorance of the authorities, its sale is still not a crime and sellers profit from it.

As a result, synthetic cannabis is relatively easy to obtain on the Internet, and is even available at gas stations or drug paraphernalia stores in some countries. It is precisely this ease with which they can be obtained that, added to the belief that they are "natural" and therefore harmless, their use among young people has skyrocketed, its consumption among young people has skyrocketed in the last decade..

3. Consumption similar to that of conventional marijuana

The most common form of taking synthetic cannabinoids is smoking of dried plant material that has been sprayed with this substance. This dried plant matter is sometimes mixed with a little bit of real marijuana, usually to make the person who is going to smoke that "joint" believe that they are smoking pure pot and look good.

There are also the options of making a tea with dried leaves sprinkled with this substance or buying synthetic cannabinoids in liquid form and vape it.

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4. Desired effects similar to natural cannabis

This drug is known as synthetic cannabis because it causes desirable effects similar to those of the "natural" drug. Synthetic cannabinoids intervene on the same receptors of the neurons for THC, which is the main psychoactive substance of the cannabis plant. This is, along with the false belief that it is a real derivative of marijuana or an essential oil of marijuana.The main reason why they are consumed.

Among these "desirable" effects we would have:

• Good mood
• Relaxation
• Alteration of perception

But it also shares with the real marijuana several frequent effects which are are not so pleasant, although not serioussuch as:

• Agitation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased heart rate
• Violent behavior
• Suicidal ideation
• Tachycardia
• Arrhythmia

5. Many serious adverse effects

Synthetic cannabis is an illicitly produced drug that does not comply with any sanitary control.. Contrary to what its consumers believe, it is not a natural drug and, even if it were, this would not prevent very dangerous side effects from occurring as a result of its consumption.

Due to the high THC content and the absence of CBD, as we have already mentioned, produces everything that is bad about natural marijuana and does not have the neuroprotective function attributed to real cannabis.. This results in the following adverse effects, shared with conventional marijuana, being more likely.

• Delirium
• Aggressiveness
• Stroke
• Seizures
• Heart attack
• Muscle tissue breakdown
• Kidney damage
• Psychosis
• Prolonged vomiting
• Death

6. Induces psychotic breaks

The possible psychotic effects of plant-based marijuana have been studied for some time.. The main responsible for these effects is THC, but its action is partially counteracted by CBD in the natural plant. As we have mentioned, this is not the case with synthetic cannabis, where there is a high concentration of THC and, consequently, a greater probability of psychotic symptoms. There are more cases of psychotic outbreaks among synthetic cannabis users than those who take the real plant.

The main psychotic effects of synthetic cannabis are:

• Extreme anxiety
• Confusion
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations and other perceptual disturbances
• Catatonia
• Depersonalization
• Dissociation

Psychoses caused by the use of synthetic cannabis impairs the mental health of the user in the long term.. They can occur without a history of mental disorder prior to synthetic cannabinoid use and are more common among male and younger users. The use of this substance is a risk factor for developing schizophrenia and is associated with a higher probability of requiring pharmacological treatment with antipsychotics than those who use conventional marijuana.

7. Risk of overdose

Synthetic cannabis users can overdose, i.e. take too much of the drug and suffer a dangerous reaction with very severe symptoms or even death. The main symptoms symptoms associated with synthetic cannabis overdose include are:

• Increased Blood pressure
• Reduced blood flow to the heart
• Dysrhythmia (altered heartbeat)
• Seizures
• Kidney failure
• Liver failure
• Myocardial infarction
• Hypothermia

If synthetic cannabis was mixed with synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, the risk of death is increased.