There are many reasons why people get high. The most common reason is simply because it makes them feel good. The main drawback for most want-to-get-high people is that getting high takes substances that are mostly illegal. Until K2 along came. This new herbal spice concoction seems to deliver where most herbal blends don't; a substitute for marijuana that's legal. K2 delivers the cannabinoid-like effect commonly associated with smoking marijuana.
How Do Cannabinoids Work?
The body actually has endogenous cannabinoids which are a part of the endo-cannabinoid system. This system is involved in some of the processes that are controlled in the brain that relate to pain, mood, appetite and memory. The cannabinoids either endogenous or synthetic bind to the specific nerve receptors CB1 and CB2. These receptors are important in neurotransmission. If the chemical binds closer to the receptor the more effective it will be. The synthetic cannabinoid JW 018, that is added to K2, binds tightly to the receptor and as a result researchers say that the chemical is up to 5 times more potent than marijuana.
Hospitalization Caused by Smoking K2
It has being reported that some users have suffered atypical reactions that require hospitalization after K2 use. Typical symptoms of those calling poison control centers or presenting themselves to ER include; an increased heart rate, paranoia, psychotic behavior and even loss of consciousness. Another study also concluded that K2 users suffer withdrawal symptoms associated with drug use (Zimmerman et al). These two observations have been widely disputed especially by K2 users who claim no adverse effects related to the use of the herbal concoction. However, this could be dependent on the concentration and purity of the synthetic cannabinoids found in the different batches of K2.
K2 Uses: Buyer Beware
The is very little known about K2; the added chemicals and exact result of its combustion are not undestood.Toxicologists are warning users to be aware of the risks associated with consuming a substance that has very little scientific safety data. Some of the cases of negative health effects that are being observed in emergency rooms are not related to the effects associated with marijuana use. The effects are actually the opposite. There is a huge unknown since the exact composition of these herbal mixtures is unavailable. It is not known whether the producers of these herbal concoctions are adding to the mixtures. Other reasons for the negative effects could include the following facts:
- Dealers or manufacturers could be cutting the JW018 and mixing in another chemical. These unknown chemicals then could be causing the recorded negative health effects
- Unknown reaction between the different herbs in the mixture, the JW018 and other unknown chemicals may be creating new compounds with unexpected effects
- Concentrations of the added chemicals are unknown and could exceed safe doses
Is K2 Really Legal in the US?
Yes, for now. The question that has now surfaced is about the legality of these mixtures. In Germany the Federal Ministry of Health has passed regulations deeming this group of chemically modified pre-packaged herbs illegal under their Narcotics Law. This has been based on the assumptions that the substance may be addictive, may impair ones' cognitive ability, and its denial may lead to withdrawal.
Sources
John W. Huffman et. al, “3-Indolyl-1-naphthylmethanes: New Cannabimimetic Indoles Provide Evidence for Aromatic Stacking Interactions with the CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor” Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 11 (2003) 539–549
Auwärter V, Dresen S, Weinmann W, Müller M, Pütz M, Ferreiros N. ‚ “Spice‘ and other herbal blends: Harmless incense or cannabinoid designer drugs?” J Mass Spectrom. 2009; 44(5):832–837.
Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca, “The endocannabinoid system: Physiology and Pharmacology.” Alcohol and Alcoholism 2005 40(1):2-14
Zimmermann US, Winkelmann PR, Pilhatsch M, Nees JA, Spanagel R, Schulz K. “Withdrawal phenomena and dependence syndrome after the consumption of "spice gold"“ Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2009 Jul;106(27):464-7
