Have you ever heard of synthetic marijuana? Here’s why you should absolutely avoid it!
Synthetic cannabinoids can be very dangerous for the human body and in the next few lines we will explain what they are and what effects they cause. Unlike those contained in CBD weed (and therefore natural marijuana), artificial cannabinoids are molecules created in the laboratory with the aim of mimicking the psychotropic action that THC exerts on the receptors in the human brain.
However, before going into the specifics of synthetic cannabinoids let us open a brief parenthesis on the general concept of cannabinoid. These are essentially molecules produced by the cannabis plant (more than a hundred known) that are useful for its defence against parasites, diseases and sunlight.
The most well-known cannabinoids are THC and CBD, cannabis molecules which, when taken by humans, interact with our endocannabinoid system, in particular with the CB1 and CB2 receptors, causing specific effects. THC, for example, is psychoactive and causes distortion of the senses, while CBD has no doping effect and gives rise to sensations of an analgesic and anxiolytic nature.
But what if synthetic cannabinoids interact with our endocannabinoid system? Let’s go and see it together.
That’s what synthetic cannabinoids are.
Unlike the Phyto-cannabinoids in CBD cannabis, artificial cannabinoids are molecules created in the laboratory with the sole aim of causing a strong distortion in the individual who takes them. They are usually produced illegally in some parts of Asia, then sprayed into herbal mixtures and sold as synthetic marijuana in other states.
This type of product is usually sold in brightly coloured aluminium or plastic bags with words on the packaging such as “herbal incense” or “herbal smoking mixes”. Of course, no information appears on the chemical content of synthetic cannabinoids, which can only be found through laboratory analysis.
Besides, the underlying herbal mixture allows the manufacturers to classify this synthetic cannabis as a ‘natural product’, which should make you understand the seriousness of the issue. The most common names you can find on synthetic cannabis packages are as follows:
- Spice
- K2
- Skunk
- Blaze
- Magma
- Ninja
- Nitro
- Puff
Let’s now look at the effects of synthetic cannabinoids on the human body.
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Cannabinoids: Synthetic cannabinoids effects of artificial marijuana on humans.
As you probably already know, legal marijuana has a THC level of less than 0.6% and for this reason, if taken, it would not cause any distorting or dangerous effects on humans. On the contrary, classical marijuana, thanks to its high THC level, has a psychotropic effect on the body that lasts for several hours until it is eliminated.
With regard to the synthetic cannabinoids contained in artificial cannabis, the speech is quite different: chemical additives (such as rat poison) have been found in these products, inserted with the intention of prolonging the distorting effect of the substance. Among the most common symptoms caused by the use of synthetic marijuana we find the following:
- Palpitations
- Paranoia
- Intense anxiety
- Nausea and vomiting
- Prolonged confusion
- Convulsions
- Abstinence
- Muscle aches and pains
- Kidney damage
- Death
Yes, the consumption of synthetic cannabinoids can even lead to death by overdose, which is impossible if you take classical marijuana or CBD buds. As for other symptoms, it is also not known whether some damage is temporary or permanent.
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Why can synthetic cannabis be sold?
After reading about the consequences of taking the synthetic cannabinoids found in artificial marijuana, you will wonder how it is possible for this product to circulate on the market. The reason is that this type of substance is offered as a product that cannot be consumed by humans and also contains a different basic plant material from hemp, which is why it is not categorised in the same way.
There are no regulations in this respect and therefore not even an adequate chemical analysis of the product, thus circumventing drug laws. For this reason, it is impossible to know the quality and quantity of the substances contained in synthetic marijuana, nor is it possible to predict the effects that each individual mixture may cause in those who take it.
In the United States between 2014 and 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Disease Prevention (CDC) has recorded an exponential increase in deaths due to the use of synthetic cannabinoids, with the previous year’s figure tripling. As a result of these events, synthetic cannabinoids have been included in the so-called “Annex I controlled substance“, a document that includes doping substances with a high abuse potential, such as cocaine and heroin.
Final notes on synthetic cannabinoids.
As you have read in this article, taking synthetic cannabinoids can be very dangerous for your body and could cause you serious health problems and even death. For this reason, we strongly advise you to stay away from this type of product and to inform your friends of the existence of such a danger.
If you are a marijuana lover and want to buy legal and harmless products, you should definitely opt for items such as legal hash or CBD oil.
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