Products
Spice is traded as an illegal or pseudo-legal narcotic. It was initially available (semi)legally because the synthetic active ingredients were not yet listed as prohibited narcotics (“legal high”). Spice first appeared in Europe in 2004.
Ingredients
Spice is made with herbs that are treated with synthetic cannabinoids. To do this, the substances are usually dissolved in a volatile solvent such as ethanol or acetone, which is applied to the herbs and evaporates. The active substances include, for example, JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-176, JWH-200, UR-144, and CP-47,497, which are naphthoylindoles (Figure). The substances cannot be detected by standard urine tests. The composition is inconsistent, which is why Spice is a heterogeneous product.
Effects
Spice has euphoric, depressant, hallucinogenic, and psychotropic properties, among others. The effects are due to the binding of the synthetic cannabinoids to the endogenous cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Because they are different substances, the effects are similar but not identical to those of cannabis administration.
Abuse
Spice is abused as a psychotropic intoxicant.
Dosage
The herbs are smoked similarly to marijuana, for example, in cigarette papers or with a hookah.
Adverse effects
In addition to the adverse effects, which are known from cannabis, there are other risks, some of which are unknown. Side effects include, for example, tachycardia, hypertension, loss of consciousness, convulsions, hallucinations, agitation, pallor and numbness. It is not always known which synthetic cannabinoids are included and exactly what pharmacological effects they exert. Severe side effects and deaths have been reported.
