Spice: Know The Terrible Effects Of Synthetic Marijuana
The fast lifestyle that the era of technology and social networks has brought, the whirlwind of electronic information and access to any product just a click away are bringing total proximity between product and consumer.
Currently, there is a tendency to consume everything expeditiously and seeking maximum pleasure, no matter how much one has to pay if the end is enjoy a unique experience The industry is interested in the consumer being impulsive and not reflective. There are plenty of examples, 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 profits, regardless of the damage. that causes addiction to those people involved in consumerism.
It is 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 from 300,000 to 500,000 million dollars astronomical figures that end up in the hands of those dedicated to this illegal business, which leaves thousands of deaths associated both 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 businesses that leaves the most benefits in the coffers of traffickers, since the cost of the product is usually lower compared to drugs of natural origin.
The creativity of traffickers when it comes to preparing and processing it knows no limits Merchandise transportation systems are not far behind, they frequently use people as messengers of the product (mules), 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 that the media popularized five years ago seemed to have disappeared from the map, but today the so-called “Spice” has been talked about again. a synthetic drug made from herbs and other substances sprayed with chemicals which 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, since 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 common marijuana.
This drug is one of the most consumed in the US, and at the end of 2012 it arrived in Europe. In the United States, acquiring this type of drug is worryingly simple: anyone can buy it online 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 They combine this synthetic drug with natural cannabis According to experts, this last practice is the most risky and dangerous.
The symptoms caused by this synthetic drug when consumed are similar to those of cannabis. Consumers report having lived experiences such as an elevated mood, feeling of relaxation and altered perception of reality. Some cases reveal psychotic-type effects, such as anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations.
Among its medium and long-term side effects, we can find:
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. Furthermore, it should be said that the control of the substances contained in Spice is deficient, and in some cases the drug may be adulterated with compounds that are highly harmful to the body, potentially leading to worse effects than those described.
Regular Spice users who were hospitalized suffered from tachycardia, vomiting, restlessness, confusion and hallucination pictures 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 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 Spice mixtures totally aggressive with human physiology.
Treatment for addiction to synthetic marijuana
The treatment that must be implemented is the same as in cases of addiction to other narcotic substances. The medical and neurological examination is essential to know the possible damage caused by the drug to the mental and physical health of the addict.
The most vulnerable population to develop an addiction to Spice, both in the US and Europe, is those between 14 and 20 years of age. A very important fact is what Deborah Carr, a member of the American Association of Poison Control Centers, points out, is 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 those thirteen thousand calls, 60% of the cases involved people under 25 years of age.
Currently, research is continuing into the effects that this drug can cause in the brain area to find out which parts may be the most affected after continued consumption of Spice. It is known that The damage it can cause to the brain is irreparable and it is for this reason that the authorities of the countries where the drug is already widely consumed call for consumers to keep in mind the danger 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 prohibit its entry and sale, such as France or the United Kingdom.
