Background | News | Links to Resources | Government Efforts | Suicide Support
Harmless? Marijuana-induced psychosis on the upswing
BACKGROUND:
The desire to create a legal product that would mimic the effects of cannabis led to the creation synthetic cannabis. Products that contained the synthetic cannabis chemicals were first introduced into Europe in the early 2000’s.
In November of 2008, Synthetic cannabinoids were detected in herbal incense products in the United States.
These products are marketed as “herbal incense” and “plant food,” respectively, and labeled “not for human consumption” to mask their intended purpose and avoid FDA regulatory oversight of the manufacturing process. These products are sprayed with an active compound like JWH-018 (synthetic cannabis), which is what makes them toxic. The name JWH-018 comes from the scientist John W. Huffman, who synthesized versions of TCH to study its effects in the lab and to try to simulate the calming effects of cannabis. JWH-018 is only one of 14 cannabinoids that have been created. “Spice” has been able to skirt around laws where JWH-018 has been banned by using one of the other cannabinoids such as JWH-073.
In 2010 synthetic marijuana was linked to 11,406 drug-related emergency department visits, most of those were children between the ages of 12 to 17. One of the difficulties is that there’s no existing toxicology screen that can reliably detect the substances found in these products.
One of the reasons that synthetic pot can produce a greater and more unreliable effect is that its ability to bond the brain’s cannabis receptor (CB1) is five times greater than what THC is capable of. This means a greater risk of serious, long-lasting neurological problems.
Synthetic Cannabis is best known by the names “Spice” and “K2” but also goes by the names “Aroma,” “Mr. Smiley,” “Zohai,” “Eclipse,” “Black Mamba,” “Red X Dawn,” “Blaze,” and “Dream.” It is considered a cheap and convenient substitute for cannabis and can also be used as a filler in the cheaper “shake” sales of marijuana which resembles loose leaf rather than buds.
Unlike marijuana, the synthetic chemicals in spice-type products are more potent to the brain and other organs because they bind themselves more permanently to those receptors, at 200 times the level of THC, With the lack of scientific research and study, it’s not yet known how long these chemicals stay in the body or what changes, if any, happen to those cells, so it is difficult to know yet how they may harm the brain and the rest of the body. There are so many substances, and they all have different behaviors.
Unfortunately, these products, when analyzed, are found to vary in concentration as well as lacking in stated ingredients. They are made in small manufacturing plants with little or no quality control.
The relationship between Cannabis and Psychosis has indicated in research that there is a connection between the two in some people. The rates of psychosis in people who have ingested synthetic cannabis is much higher than with the natural plant. These studies suggest that synthetic cannabinoid intoxication is associated with acute psychosis, worsening of previously stable psychotic disorders, and also may have the ability to trigger a chronic (long-term) psychotic disorder among vulnerable individuals. (1)
— Here are links to websites that provide useful information regarding Spice, K2, Synthetic Cannabis as well a symptoms that can result from these drugs.
Educating ourselves and our children is necessary to avoid the problems that can arise from these new drugs.
Mental Health Services:
- https://www.onlinetherapy.com/addiction-counseling/
- https://www.onlinetherapy.com/free/
- https://www.onlinetherapy.com/free-online-therapy-chat/
News:
The Modern Asylum – New York Times
Why Our Mental Illness Laws Need A Change
Why Mental Health As A Priority In WA State?
1 – http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/251684/king-county-pays-seattle-times-more-than-40000-for-public-records-violations/
2 – http://www.usatoday.com/longform/news/nation/2014/05/12/mental-health-system-crisis/7746535/
3 – http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2023580326_mentalhealthtechnicalityxml.html
Teen dies after smoking synthetic marijuana
LINKS:
Marijuana Is Proven To Be Addictive
http://alcoholism.about.com/od/pot/a/bldea050426_4.htm
http://parentingteens.about.com/od/parentingtroubledteens/a/Mental-Health-Disorder.htm
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/ondcp-fact-sheets/synthetic-drugs-k2-spice-bath-salts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_cannabis
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/06/navy-marine-spice-mental-effects-060611w/
http://www.narconon-news.org/drug-facts/spice-abuse-signs.html
http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/signs-symptoms-spice.html
http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/effects-of-spice.html
http://www.recoveryconnection.org/spice-addiction-and-treatment/
Some symptoms are:
” Seizures and tremors
” Coma and unconsciousness
” Vomiting
” Hallucinations and paranoia
” Numbness and tingling
” Very high blood pressure and heart rate – high enough to cause damage or danger
” Anxiety and panic attacks
” Threatening behavior and aggression
” Terrible headaches
” Inability to speak
More links to resources about these drugs:
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20101124/k2-spice-legal-highs-illegal
http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/justice/synthetic-drug-threats.aspx
http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/justice/synthetic-cannabinoids-enactments.aspx
http://www.kgun9.com/news/local/165692536.html
http://www.justanswer.com/law/6zmrw-own-smoke-shop-texas-selling-herbal-incense.html
Links to the relationship between Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabis:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23216690
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22213786
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17662880?dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19924114?dopt=Abstract
GOVERNMENT:
Government Efforts to Ban Synthetic Drug Products
- The DEA and State drug control agencies have recognized the need to monitor and, when necessary, control these chemicals. The Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to allow the Attorney General to place a substance temporarily in Schedule I when it is necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to the public safety (21 U.S.C. § 811(h)).
- On October 21, 2011, DEA exercised its emergency scheduling authority to control some of the synthetic substances used to manufacture bath salts; these synthetic stimulants are now designated as Schedule I substances.
- In March 2011, five synthetic cannabinoids were temporarily categorized as Schedule I substances under the CSA. Unless permanently controlled, the ban on these five substances is set to expire in March 2012.
- At least 38 states have taken action to control one or more of these chemicals. Prior to 2010, synthetic cannabinoids were not controlled by any State or at the Federal level.
- Congress has taken initial steps to ban many of these substances, and the Administration has sought to support their efforts.
- The Synthetic Drug Control Act (HR 1254) was approved by the House of Representatives on December 8, 2011. The Department of Justice has issued a “views letter” in support of the Act.
- In the Senate, several pieces of legislation concerning synthetic drugs are pending, including one that deals specifically with synthetic cannabinoids.
There are many horrible stories and outcomes that have occurred from the use of these products.
Kirk’s is one…here is another.
SUICIDE SUPPORT:
BOOKS:
The Wilderness of Suicide Grief, by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.
After Suicide Loss, Coping with Your Grief by Bob Baugher, Ph.D. and Jack Jordan, Ph.D.
Suicide Websites:
Suicide Support Groups Nationally – – http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewpage&page_id=FEE4D90C-A27B-456E-36DDF23261B4378D
Suicide Support Groups in Washington – – http://www.suicide.org/support-groups/washington-suicide-support-groups.html
Out of the Darkness Walk Community Walks to Prevent Suicide – – http://afsp.donordrive.com
(1) Wikipedia – Article on Synthetic Cannabis