Spice

"Spice" (also known as synthetic cannabinoids) is a term for products containing man-made herbal blends that produce powerful marijuana-like effects.

Like marijuana, "spice" is a hallucinogen that is typically smoked or swallowed. "Spice," however, does not contain any real marijuana. Instead, it is a mix of herbs sprayed with man-made compounds that mimic the effects of marijuana. Because of this similarity, it is illegal to produce, buy, or sell products, such as "spice," that contain these compounds.

Different mixes of "spice" exist and the exact ingredients of these blends vary and are not indicated on the product wrapping.

While the packaging constantly changes, "spice" is usually sold in small, sealed foil packets or in transparent pouches. It is often labelled "not for human consumption."

Health Canada does not recommend the use of "spice" because of the potential for serious or fatal adverse reactions and also because little is known about the long-term effects on the brain and/or body.

Also known as: Spice Silver, Spice Gold, Spice Diamond, K2, Albino Rhino Buds, Aroma, Bombay Blue, Caneff 5 star, Chillin XXX, Cloud 9, D-Raw, Dark Matter, Dream, Everlast, Ex-ses (Platinum), Experience: Chill, Experience: Ignite, Experience: Red Ball, Fusion, Galaxy, Genie, Gorilla, Hayze Spice (13 spice, bubble gum, blueberry, citrus, eruption, grape, hawaiian, hawaiian passion, grape hawaiian, hawaiian ultra, hawaiian hurricane, blueberry hawaiian, strawberry hawaiian, hawaiian vacation, orange, purple, strawberry kush, trainwreck, watermelon kush, white), Herb Dream, herbal kush, herbal potpourri, Ice Bud Extra Cold, incense blend, Kronic, Krypto Buds, Magic, Mojo, Moon Rocks, Pep Spice, Sence, Smoke, Solar Flare, Space, Space Truckin', Spice, Spice Arctic Synergy, Spice Tropical Synergy, Spice Gold Spirit, Spicey XXX, SpiceWorld420, Spice99 (Ultra), Spike99, Smoke, Splice Platinum, Star Fire, Yucatan Fire, Zohai, and Zohai SX.

On this page:

• Health effects
  • Short-term effects
  • Long-term effects
  • Effects on unborn babies
• Addiction and withdrawal

Health effects

The lack of information on "spice" and the large number of different blends make it difficult to predict its effects. There is also a risk of adverse effects caused by other chemicals that may be added to "spice."

"Bath salts" are sold as capsules, tablets, or white crystalline powder. The powder can be snorted, wrapped in cigarette paper and swallowed ("bombing"), dissolved in liquid and swallowed, or dissolved in liquid and injected.

The short-term and long-term effects of "spice" are often similar to those produced by marijuana though far more potent.

The way a person feels after consuming "spice" may depend on many factors:

• the user's age and weight
• the user's mood, expectations, and environment
• the user's medical or psychiatric conditions
• the amount of the drug consumed (the dose)
• how often and for how long the drug has been used
• use of other drugs including alcohol, non-prescription, prescription, and street drugs

Short-term effects

Short-term effects are usually felt within minutes to an hour after consuming "spice" and can last for several hours. They can include:

• increased heart rate
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• high blood pressure
• heart attack
• dry mouth
• nausea and vomiting
• dizziness and light-headedness
• extreme anxiety and panic attacks
• euphoria ("high")
• severe agitation
• tremor
• unrealistic fears (paranoia)
• psychosis
• visual distortions and hallucinations
• trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• an altered sense of time and space
• short-term memory loss (amnesia)
• confusion
• seizures
• convulsions
• suicide

"Spice" may also trigger or aggravate underlying psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia in people with a predisposition or history of such disorders.

Long-term effects

Long-term effects can result from long-term, regular use of "spice" and may persist long after drug use has stopped.

Some of these effects can also occur even after using the drug only once.

Long-term effects may include:

• irritation of the respiratory passages
• cognitive changes and cognitive impairment
• psychotic episodes or schizophrenia in susceptible individuals

Effects on unborn babies

The effects of "spice" on a developing fetus are unknown. However, they may be like those seen with marijuana and include subtle physical and psychological problems. These effects, however, could be even more pronounced because of the increased potency of "spice" compared to marijuana.

Addiction and withdrawal

It is not known whether "spice" is addictive. Still, those who use the drug frequently may develop tolerance and experience withdrawal symptoms similar to those observed with marijuana.

Withdrawal symptoms may include:

• craving
• irritability
• anxiety
• depression
• loss of appetite
• nausea and vomiting
• tremors
• headache
• sweating
• difficulty sleeping
• nightmares

Addiction and withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms may include fatigue, long but disturbed sleep, strong hunger, irritability, depression, and violent behaviour.