Commonly Abused Drugs

Synthetic Cannabinoids (K2/Spice)

A wide variety of herbal mixtures containing man-made cannabinoid chemicals related to THC in marijuana but often much stronger and more dangerous. Sometimes misleadingly cal"synthetic marijuana" and marketed as a "natural," "safe," legal alternative to marijuana.

Street Names Commercial Names Common Forms Common Ways Taken DEA Schedule
K2, Spice, Black Mamba, Bliss, Bombay Blue, Fake Weed, Fire, Genie, Moon Rocks, Skunk, Smacked, Yucatan, Zohai No commercial uses Dried, shredded plant material that looks like potpourri and is sometimes sold as "incense" Smoked, swallowed (brewed as tea) I

Possible Health Effects
Short-term Increased heart rate; vomiting; agitation; confusion; hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia; increased blood pressure and reduced blood supply to the heart; heart attack.
Long-term Unknown.
Other Health-related Issues Use of synthetic cannabinoids has led to an increase in emergency room visits in certain areas.
In Combination with Alcohol Unknown.
Withdrawal Symptoms Headaches, anxiety, depression, irritability.
Treatment options
Medications There are no FDA-approved medications to treat K2/spice addiction.
Behavioral Therapies More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat synthetic cannabinoid addiction.