Both types of drugs bind to the same cannabinoid receptors in the brain, but K2 or Spice drugs bind to these receptors much more strongly and produce more intense effects. Drugs like K2 and Spice are sometimes called “synthetic marijuana” or “fake weed,” but experts say these are misleading terms. Marijuana is a plant that’s grown for both medical and recreational use. Synthetic cannabinoids are plant material that’s been sprayed with an active drug. On April 9, 2009, the Chief Medical Officer of the Russian Federation issued a resolution on reinforcing control over the sales of smoking blends.
These are achieved at lower doses, because many synthetic cannabinoids are more potent than marijuana, and users are often unaware of exactly what they are getting and how potent it is. For example, Δ9-THC has an EC50 of 250 nM at CB1 and 1157 nM at CB2, whereas PB-22 has an EC50 of 5.1 nM at CB1 and 37 nM at CB2. Adverse effects observed due to synthetic cannabinoid use include acute kidney injury, cardiac toxicity, seizure, stroke, tremor, hypokalemia, and rhabdomyolysis. Some negative effects of 5F-PB-22 reported by users included nausea, vomiting, confusion, poor coordination, anxiety, and seizures. Some of the negative effects of 5F-AKB-48 reported by users included palpitations, paranoia, intense anxiety, and a taste like burned plastic. In addition, while there are no fatal overdose cases linked to marijuana, there are deaths linked to synthetic cannabinoids each year.
Synthetic marijuana is typically much more potent than natural cannabis, and Mojo is no exception. Depending on the chemicals used to create the product, synthetic marijuana can be 1 to 800 times more powerful than natural cannabis – Mojo products were found to be fifteen times stronger. The thickness of the coat of chemicals applied to the organic material which dessert shares its name with a korean food made with intestines? used in Mojo can also affect its strength. Material coated with a very light coating may not be as harmful, whereas a substance that gets sprayed with a heavy layer could be much more potent. The other constituents in natural marijuana such as cannabidiol actually help to temper the negative impact of THC but are absent in synthetic cannabinoids.
The discovery of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol as the main active ingredient of Cannabis sativa led to the subsequent discovery of specific receptors for THC in the human body, namely cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB-1) and type 2 (CB-2). The ECS comprises the cannabinoid receptors (CB-1 and CB-2) as well the endogenous counterparts of THC and endogenous ligands for both cannabinoid receptors, known as N-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine and 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG). The ECS has been found to be involved in a number of processes, including cell fate and proliferation and differentiation of progenitors .
CBC produces analgesic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Cannabis isn’t legal everywhere, though many states have legalized it for medical use, recreational purposes, or both. Researchers don’t yet know the full impact of high-THC marijuana on the body or brain. Higher THC levels increase your risk for a harmful reaction, especially if you’re new to marijuana. Based on people’s reviews, you can expect your buzz to linger for several hours or even into the next day if you’re new to moon rocks or high-THC strains.
A thorough understanding of the endocannabinoid receptor system in humans would be paramount to the discovery of molecules that exert the therapeutic effects of cannabis and cannabinoids, with minimal adverse effects. Until recently, synthetic marijuana was sold in head shops and gas stations throughout the country. The DEA included synthetic cannabis substances, including Mojo, to the Schedule I drugs, indicating no medical use benefits and a high chance of addiction and abuse. Mojo products typically contain the AB-CHMINACA chemical that triggers similar effects as its natural colleague.
At some point, Huffman’s research fell into the wrong hands, and synthetic marijuana began flooding the streets. Huffman, who is now retired, has spoken out against the recreational use of synthetic marijuana, urging people not to use it, comparing it to playing Russian Roulette. Marijuana smoke — including secondhand smoke — contains most of the same toxins and carcinogens as tobacco smoke. It irritates the lungs and can cause a chronic cough with increased phlegm production. As an intensive care pharmacist and clinical pharmacologist, I have been researching street drugs for over a decade to help emergency room, critical care and poison control clinicians treat overdosing patients. A package of K2, a concoction of dried herbs sprayed with chemicals, also known as synthetic marijuana.