Download - Synthetic Drugs of Abuse: ‘Spice,’ ‘K2’ and ‘Bath Salts’ Side effects and Long term consequences
Synthetic Drugs of Abuse: ‘Spice,’ ‘K2’ and ‘Bath Salts’Side effects and Long term
consequences
Willie A. Hamilton, BC-FNPBoard Certified in Sports Medicine & Nutrition
Spice/K2 brands marketed as natural herbal incense
“Not for human consumption”
Available convenience stores, gas stations, Internet
Cannabis substitutePsychonaut Web Mapping Research Group (2009.) Spice Report. Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London: London UK.
delta-9 tetrahydro-cannabinol (∆9-THC) agonism of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1)
SCs more potent
Typical doses are often less than 1mg
Not readily detectable JWH-018
∆9-THC
Marketed as similar to cannabis: Euphoria Sociability Anxiolytic Relaxation Stimulant
Cross tolerance with THC?http://buyk2spice.net/
Anxiety Paranoia Headache Vomiting Psychosis Diaphoresis HR/BP increase Seizures
http://investigationmiami.blogspot.com/2011/01/be-afraid-really-afraid.html
No data on prevalence of use
American Association of Poison Control Centers:
Synthetic cannabinoids: 2009: 13 calls 2010: 2304 calls (Nov), a projected 200x increase
Marijuana: 2008: 4009 calls, with 1020 for marijuana alone
Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and Mephedrone Sold as “bath salts” or “plant fertilizer”
Currently legal in the United States
Available online and in convenience stores
CNS stimulants Related to cathinone, an active
alkaloid found in the khat plant (N. Africa)
Previously abused primarily in Europe and Australia
http://www.herbalextracts.net/library/supplements/khat_uses.html
Route: Intranasal most common
Also: oral, smoking, rectal, and IV
White to light brown crumbly powder
Degrades if exposed to air for significant periods of time
http://www.stompin-gardeners.com/index.
MDMA
CNS stimulant similar to methamphetamine, MDMA, or cocaine
Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI)
Increased alertness, arousal, anxiety, agitation, diminished requirement for food and sleep, sexual arousal
Tachycardia, hypertension, vasoconstriction, diaphoresis
“High” lasts 3-4 hours
Physical effects may last 6-8 hours
May cause seizures, panic attacks, or psychosis with high doses or increased frequency of use
Avg dose: 5 to 20mg http://www.tradevv.com/chinasuppliers/chwhtltd_p_198b58/
china-Mdpv-by-pevukka.html
Trismus (inability to open mouth) or bruxism
Panic attacks Psychosis with sleep deprivation Hallucinations, delusions, suicidal
ideation Abstinence syndrome: depression,
lethargy, anxiety, postural hypotension Leads to frequent re-dosing
UK: MDPV regulated under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
US: Not scheduled but banned in some states
DEA: controlled by the Federal Analogue Act?
http://addiction-dirkh.blogspot.com/2010/11/dea-slaps-temporary-ban-on-spice-and.html
4-methylmethcathinone (4-MMC)
Meow Meow MCAT Miaow Drone Plant Feeder Bubbles
http://www.synchronium.net/2010/01/05/mephedrone-cat/
NE-DA reuptake inhibitor Similar to MA/MDMA
Reportedly less potent, shorter duration
Oral dose: 20-50mg “Come up”: 10-20 min Peak: 45-60 min “Comedown”: 60-120
min Re-dosing: common
Mephedrone
Amphetamine
Oral ingestion Swallowing capsules Bombing (swallowing
powder wrapped in cigarette paper)
Insufflation (snorting)
Rectally (either plugging or enema)
IV (use 1/2 to 1/3 dose)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/mephedrone
Euphoria Sociability Stimulation Sexual Arousal Music Appreciation Hallucinations
http://www.drugs.org.im/campaigns.htm
Loss of appetite Increase in body
temperature, sweating, hot flushes
Tense jaw, bruxism, stiff neck, muscle clenching
HR/BP elevation, chest pains Dehydration Mydriasis, nystagmus Painful nasal drip/ulcers in
mouth (after insufflation) Insomnia, paranoia, anxiety,
dysphoria, psychosis http://theblackheartofgrahamquirk.blogspot.com/
2008-2010: Banned in many European counties
December 2010: Illegal throughout the EU
Mephedrone is not specifically banned in the United States However, some states have banned mephedrone
DEA: may be controlled by the Federal Analogue Act as an analogue of methcathinone
No data on prevalence of use
American Association of Poison Control Centers:
Bath Salts: 2010: 292 calls 2011: 469 calls (2/14/11), a projected14-fold
increase
Contact Information
Willie A. Hamilton, BC-FNPLIVEfit Medicine
1901 Brookside Dr.Kingsport, TN 37660
(423)765-9500