Spice: know the terrible effects of synthetic marijuana
The fast lifestyle that has brought the era of technologies and social networks, the vortex of electronic information and access to any product at a distance are bringing a total proximity between product and consumer.
'Spice', the drug that mimics cannabis
Currently, there is a tendency to consume everything in an expeditious manner and looking for maximum pleasure, no matter how much you have to pay if the end is Enjoy a unique experience . The industry is interested in the consumer being impulsive and not reflective. Examples abound, from the famous fast food chains, which offer their products in a matter of minutes, to the trade in 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 that causes the addiction to those people involved in the consumerist vice.
It is known that the drug trafficking business moves millions of dollars worldwide. It is estimated that the amount over a year is from 300,000 to 500,000 million dollars , astronomical figures that end up in the hands of those who are engaged in this illegal business, which leaves thousands of deaths associated with both their own consumption, as well as disputes between drug traffickers.
The trafficking of synthetic drugs has been gaining international ground for more than 10 years, and is one of the businesses that leaves more profits in the coffers of traffickers, since the cost of the product is usually lower compared to drugs of natural origin.
The creativity of the traffickers at the time of elaborating and processing it knows no limits . The systems of transfer of merchandise are not left behind, often they use people as messengers of the product (mules), arriving to transport prohibited substances placing them strategically in watches, cell phones, chairs, shoes, etc.
Chemistry at the service of the drug business
One of the famous drugs that popularized the media five years ago seemed to have disappeared from the map, but nowadays it has become again to speak of the so-called "Spice", a synthetic drug made from herbs and other substances sprayed with chemicals , that according to specialists produces effects similar to marijuana . We are talking, then, about a type of drug that simulates the effects of marijuana.
Obviously, these effects tend to be more dangerous and severe in the case of Spice, because it is a drug made in laboratories whose chemical components are not known with certainty, and this makes Spice a drug whose effects can be much more unpredictable than the common marijuana.
This drug is one of the most consumed in the US, and at the end of 2012 arrived in Europe. In the United States, buying this type of drug is worryingly simple: anyone can buy it through the Internet or in places called "head shops"; legal or clandestine drug stores.
The mode of consumption is the same as in cannabis, in some cases many addicts usually combine other types of substances such as herbal tea, or combine this synthetic drug with natural cannabis . According to experts, this last 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. Consumers report having lived experiences such as a high mood, a sense of relaxation and an alteration in perception of reality. Some cases reveal psychotic-type effects, such as anguish, paranoia and hallucinations.
Among its side effects in the medium and long term, 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 the Spice act on the same neuronal receptors as marijuana with THC . However, the chemical elements found in the Spice adhere more aggressively to the receptors, which could result in much more severe effects. In addition, it must be said that the control of the substances contained in the Spice is deficient, and in some cases the drug can be adulterated with highly harmful compounds for the body, which may have worse effects than those described.
Regular users of Spice who were hospitalized suffered tachycardia, vomiting, restlessness, confusion and Hallucination pictures . Synthetic marijuana alters blood pressure and can cause a poor blood supply to the heart. There have been reports of myocardial infarction.Addicts may also suffer symptoms associated with withdrawal syndrome.
Although many of the effects of Spice are still unknown, experts warn of the presence of heavy metals in some mixtures of Spice , totally aggressive with human physiology.
Treatment for the addiction to synthetic marijuana
The treatment that must be implemented is the same as in the cases of addiction to the other narcotic substances. The medical and neurological examination is essential to know what are the possible damages caused by the drug in the state of mental and physical health of the addict.
The most vulnerable population to be able to develop an addiction to Spice, both in the US and Europe, is 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, only in 2011, this center reported a total of 13,000 calls for help to deal with cases arising from the use of synthetic drugs . Among those thirteen thousand calls, in 60% of cases were involved people under 25 years.
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 continued consumption of Spice. It is known that the damage it can cause in the brain are irremediable , and it is for this reason that the authorities of the countries where the drug is already widely consumed call for consumers to bear in mind the dangerous nature of this drug and its effects in the short, medium and long term.
Although the drug can already be found in most European countries, there are several states that are prohibited from entering and selling, as is the case in France or the United Kingdom.
