Is K2 Addictive? Understanding K2’s Risks
Designer drugs like K2 and spice have been falsely marketed under the pretense that they are synthetic marijuana for years. It has been marketed as a “safe” or “legal weed.” But medical professionals, toxicologists and addiction specialists have a very different perspective. Is K2 addictive? Yes.
K2 is a highly addictive substance. The consequences of using this chemical can be severe, unpredictable and sometimes life-threatening. A July 2018 CDC report found an increase in K2 poisonings over the past year. In a separate report, K2 was tied to 56 cases of severe bleeding and 4 deaths across the Chicago and the Central Illinois area.
There are hundreds of different synthetic cannabinoid chemicals on the market. They are manufactured and sprayed on dried plant material. They can also be sold as liquids to be inhaled through vaporizers like e-cigarettes.
Designer Drugs: What is K2?
K2 or spice is a chemically modified herbal substance that can produce mind-altering effects. It was designed to mimic the effects of THC, which is the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. It is often referred to as imitation marijuana or believed to be a safer alternative to marijuana. It is a type of designer drug under the category of synthetic cannabinoid that has been chemically created in a lab.
It is often sold under the names spice, paradise, demon, black magic, or mr. nice guy. They can be found at gas stations, convenience stores or smoke shops, where they are purchased legally without restrictions.
These lab-grown chemicals were originally designed for animal testing and scientific study. They were never made for human consumption. Illicit drug manufacturers then began mass-producing these chemicals in unregulated labs. According to the DEA, most of the designer drugs were created in labs in Asia and trafficked over the internet and shipped by mail.
There is no quality control in manufacturing or packaging. Oftentimes, the chemical makeup is unknown and even in cases where the chemical components are known, there is no information about the biological effects of the drug after consumption.
To bypass strict drug laws, products were mislabeled as “not for human consumption” and sold as potpourri or incense. This deceptive marketing strategy is what has led to its popularity in use and the development of psychological dependent to the drug.
Is K2 Addictive?
The human body has an endocannabinoid system, which is a complex network of receptors that help regulate essential functions like mood, memory, pain perception and appetite. When a person consumes natural marijuana, the active ingredient THC binds to these receptors as a partial agonist. So it only partially activates the receptor, resulting in a ceiling effect on the high and euphoria you experience.
Synthetic cannabinoids like K2 are full agonists. This means they can bind more strongly to the receptors and can be up to 100 times stronger than natural THC. When this happens, the brain’s receptors are pushed far past their natural limits and flood the central nervous system with extreme, overwhelming chemical signals.
Traditional marijuana might produce mild euphoria, relaxation and heightened sensory perception. K2 can trigger more intense, erratic and highly dangerous neurological responses. This extreme reaction is what makes K2 so addictive. The intense and unnatural activation of the brain’s reward pathways creates a cycle of tolerance and addiction.
Users find they need more of the substance and in more frequent doses just to experience the same initial high. Tolerance evolves into deep physical and psychological dependence.
The Dangers of K2: Unpredictability and Toxicity
The most dangerous aspect of K2 is the drug’s unpredictability. The chemicals used to make these are created and synthesized in unregulated labs so the chemical makeup can be different from batch to batch. You never know what you might be getting.
The side effects of K2 can range from a brief altered state of mind to a severe medical emergency.
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
- Tremors and seizures
- Hallucinations and delusions
- Agitation and anxiety
- Acute psychotic episodes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Paranoia and confusion
- Violent behavior and suicidal ideation
- Memory impairment, diminished attention and motor skill impairment
- Kidney and heart damage
- Tolerance, dependence and addiction
Can you overdose on synthetic cannabinoids? Yes. Fatal and non-fatal overdoses are very common and can occur without warning. Being able to identify synthetic cannabinoid toxicity is critical for saving lives.
The long-term mental health impact of K2 is long-lasting. Chronic users frequently develop persistent psychiatric disorders. Even after the drug has left the system, many users suffer from drug-induced psychosis, chronic anxiety, panic disorder, and severe cognitive impairment lasting months to years.
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Withdrawal Symptoms of K2
When a dependent user decides to stop smoking K2 or spice, it may turn their central nervous system upside down. Many are unaware of the withdrawal symptoms of K2 until it is experienced firsthand. K2 withdrawal symptoms can be shockingly severe and closer to withdrawal from hard narcotics like heroin and meth compared to natural cannabis.
- Intense and unmanageable cravings
- Profound anxiety, deep depression and suicidal ideation
- Night sweats, chills and fever-like symptoms
- Severe insomnia accompanied by nightmares
- GI distress, including extreme nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Tremors and muscle twitches
- Extreme irritability and mood swings
Symptoms can begin within a few hours after the last dose and then peak over the following days. This makes it difficult to quit on your own without professional help.
Breaking free from Fake Weed
There is a common misconception that synthetic marijuana is harmless and is a safer alternative. However, this is false. K2 can be more dangerous and more addictive than natural marijuana because it is an unregulated cocktail of chemicals that violently hijack the brain’s natural receptors. The rapid onset of physical dependence can lead to terrifying and unpredictable highs.
However, with professional medical intervention and comprehensive therapy, individuals can learn to safely navigate and manage the withdrawal process and break free from the addiction.
Reach out to Hotel California by the Sea
We specialize in treating addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD. Our Admissions specialists are available to walk you through the best options for treating your addiction.
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Professional behavioral health program Hotel California by the Sea provides the tools and resources clients need to address their substance addiction. We offer treatment at all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based methods such as CBT, DBT and group therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping clients reach their goals in sobriety and overcome their addiction.
References:
https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/spice-k2-synthetic-marijuana
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/chemical/synthetic-cannabinoids.htm
https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/18/health/k2-synthetic-weed-explainer/index.html
https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/synthetic-marijuana
https://www.addictionhelp.com/k2-spice
https://www.gatewayfoundation.org/what-we-treat/drug-abuse-treatment/synthetic-marijuana-addiction
