Spice - Herbal or Harmful?

If you tend to think of garlic powder or thyme when you hear the word “spice” you aren’t the only one, but unfortunately that might not be what your teen thinks of. Spice is a new “herbal” drug that is on the market and is readily available in the U.S. So what is this spice all about? Allow me to explain.

Spice is a mixture of herbs that has been sold in Europe and Canada since 2002 as an incense as well as over the internet as an “herbal smoking blend”. It is supposed to offer cannabis-like effects slightly more subtle than marijuana.

The manufacturers claim that the ingredients are all natural herbs and are harmless, but some independent laboratories have analyzed the product and found no traces of the herbs listed on the package, instead they find 1,1-dimethyloctyl homologue of the substance CP 47,497 which is a synthetic substance that is similar to the active ingredient in cannabis. A German laboratory has stated that this synthetic ingredient makes smoking a package of spice comparable to smoking an entire pack of cigarettes.

As for the high that is attained by smoking spice, that is a whole other issue. Some state that smoking spice makes colors, sounds, patterns and textures more heightened to the senses as well as offering a feeling of calm relaxation without the paranoia that pot can offer. So what is the harm?

Well in Indiana where this drug can be legally bought and sold, although it is illegal to smoke it (the jars are stamped with the slogan: not for human consumption) hospitals have been dealing with patients coming in and complaining of the following side effects:

• anxiety
• pale skin
• numbness and tingling
• rapid pulse (110-150 beats/minute)
• elevated blood pressure (140-160/100-110 mmHg)
• vomiting
• agitation
• hallucination
• drowsiness
• slurred speech
• dilated pupils
• low potassium levels
• eye swelling, tremors and seizures

But possibly the biggest concern with the spice drug is that since it is not manufactured here in the U.S. there is no regulation or inspection of the ingredients. We can’t control how much of these synthetic drugs are in it, and since these synthetic drugs are new there is no research on the long term effects.

The bottom line is that this so-called alternative to marijuana can be very dangerous and unfortunately even though it has been “banned” in the U.S. for human consumption you can still purchase it both online and in pipe and tobacco stores as an “incense”. Drug tests do not look for this type of drug as it is so new and very hard to trace.

You may need to sit down with your teen and ask them if they have heard of this drug and what they think about it. Do some research and list out all the dangers that are involved in smoking spice and have an open and honest conversation with your teen about your expectations for them.

Remember, your kids do listen to you and you are the biggest influence they have in their lives. Use it wisely.