Is there a way to identify teens who may be at risk for using synthetic marijuana?
In recent years, synthetic drugs have been staking its claim here in the United States. With "Flakka" bursting onto the scene and wreaking havoc in Florida, other drugs are now becoming synthetically made. With the increase in synthetic drugs in the United States, we have also seen an increase in teenagers using synthetic drugs. A study conducted by researchers at New York University's Center for Drug Use and HIV Research found that students who go out 4 to 7 nights per week were at a high risk for experimenting with drugs. Research also found that teens who use other substances would also experiment with synthetic marijuana. It was also found that teens who smoked cigarettes were also at a high risk for using synthetic marijuana. One researcher stated that teenagers may be turning to synthetic marijuana in an attempt to avoid possible arrest, or to deceive drug testing. Monitoring the Future conducts ongoing annual studies of behaviors and values of teenagers. Surveys are administered in 130 schools in 48 states. This specific study consisted of data from over 11,800 students. These students were asked about their use of natural and synthetic marijuana during the years of 2011, 2012, and 2013. Males were shown to be of a greater risk factor for synthetic marijuana use. What is synthetic marijuana? Synthetic marijuana, or "Spice" is a mixture of herbs that produce similar results that one may experience when using natural marijuana. This synthetic drug is sold under a multitude of names, including:
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Along with these names is a label entitled, "Not for human consumption." These products also contain shredded plant materials and chemicals that add to the psychoactive effects that a user may feel.
Up until recently, the mixture in order to produce Spice was easily found in gas stations and head shops. The Drug Enforcement Administration cracked down on the chemicals and deemed them illegal to sell, possess, or purchase. Unfortunately, the ban on these chemicals has not stopped synthetic drug makers from concocting other synthetic drugs. When a group of chemicals become illegal to use, sell, or purchase, synthetic drug makers substitute other chemicals in their concoctions. Synthetic marijuana and your brain Along with the euphoric effects being reported by users, they are also reporting feeling relaxed, paranoid, and experiencing hallucinations. While there are no scientific studies of the effect synthetic marijuana has on the brain, it is believed that cannabinoid compounds in synthetic marijuana act on the same cell receptors as natural THC. Unfortunately, the chemicals found in synthetic marijuana may have more of a stronghold on the cell receptors. This stronghold could lead the user to experience a more powerful effect from synthetic marijuana. Perhaps the biggest danger to using synthetic marijuana happens to be the fact that some of the chemicals being put in synthetic marijuana may be dangerous, even lethal. This presents an alarming problem when we think about teenagers using synthetic marijuana. If you suspect that your teenager may be using synthetic drugs, contact your local drug addiction treatment center immediately.
References National Institute on Drug Abuse for ("Synthetic Marijuana"). http://www.drugaddictsupport.com/synthetic-marijuana-abuse/