K2 Synthetic Marijuana Poses Serious Health Risk

Author: Gateway Foundation Alcohol & Drug Treatment
Published: 2012/06/20 - Updated: 2021/08/31
Topic: Addiction and Substance Abuse - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Synthetic marijuana known as K2 or Spice can cause seizures hallucinations rapid heart rate vomiting and death from overdose.

K2 and Spice are two popular brands of synthetic marijuana, however the high these products induce is completely unpredictable, which is actually part of the appeal for risk takers.

Spice does not cause a positive drug test for cannabis or other illegal drugs using GC-MS-screening with library search, multi-target screening by LC-MS/MS, or immunological screening procedures.

Introduction

Synthetic cannabis or "Spice" - A dangerous hallucinogenic substance that is much more potent than marijuana, and can cause serious side effects. Spice does not cause a positive drug test for cannabis or other illegal drugs using GC-MS-screening with library search, multi-target screening by LC-MS/MS, or immunological screening procedures.

Main Item

Gateway Foundation Alcohol & Drug Treatment, the largest provider of substance abuse treatment in Illinois, has a simple message for adults and teens: stay away from synthetic marijuana also known as K2 and Spice to avoid its harmful effects, such as seizures, hallucinations, rapid heart rate, vomiting or even death from overdose. Although synthetic marijuana was banned for sale in Illinois stores earlier this year, adults and teens are still accessing K2 and it concerns the treatment team at Gateway Foundation.

K2 and Spice are two popular brands of synthetic marijuana, however the high these products induce is completely unpredictable, which is actually part of the appeal for risk takers. Some brands of synthetic marijuana may result in a slightly mellow feeling while others may create significant psychological distress. Even within the same brand, the effects may vary from packet to packet.

"Some of the initial appeal of K2 is that it isn't often tested for and therefore rarely detected in urinary drug tests. However, the clinical team at Gateway Foundation has observed the life-altering effects of this unpredictable drug and K2 is not worth any of the health risks that are associated with its use," explains Gateway Foundation Springfield Program Director and Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Brittany Ottino.

Gateway Foundation has noticed a trend in increased admissions for K2 abuse since fall 2011. Individuals in substance abuse treatment at Gateway Foundation Alcohol & Drug Treatment confirm the effects of K2 use, such as:

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Gateway Foundation Alcohol & Drug Treatment and published on 2012/06/20, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, Gateway Foundation Alcohol & Drug Treatment can be contacted at gatewayfoundation.org NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

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Cite This Page (APA): Gateway Foundation Alcohol & Drug Treatment. (2012, June 20 - Last revised: 2021, August 31). K2 Synthetic Marijuana Poses Serious Health Risk. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved February 17, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/medical/pharmaceutical/addiction/k2.php

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