How can spice be tested

University of Bath. World first on-the-spot test for synthetic drug 'spice'. Retrieved November 12, from www. Many of the components of the hand-held device used in this technology can be Such tests, the results of which Eventually, they hope to turn their ideas into a simple device ScienceDaily shares links with sites in the TrendMD network and earns revenue from third-party advertisers, where indicated.

Print Email Share. Boy or Girl? Just a Game? Synthetic cannabinoids act on the same brain cell receptors as THC deltatetrahydrocannabinol , the mind-altering ingredient in marijuana.

So far, there have been few scientific studies of the effects of synthetic cannabinoids on the human brain, but researchers do know that some of them bind more strongly than marijuana to the cell receptors affected by THC and can produce much stronger effects. The resulting health effects can be unpredictable and dangerous.

Because the chemical composition of many synthetic cannabinoid products is unknown and may change from batch to batch, these products are likely to contain substances that cause dramatically different effects than the user might expect.

People who have used synthetic cannabinoids and have been taken to emergency rooms have shown severe effects including:. Yes, synthetic cannabinoids can be addictive. Regular users trying to quit may have the following withdrawal symptoms:. Behavioral therapies and medications have not specifically been tested for treatment of addiction to these products. Health care providers should screen patients for possible co-occurring mental health conditions. An overdose occurs when a person uses too much of a drug and has a dangerous reaction that results in serious, harmful symptoms or death.

Use of synthetic cannabinoids can cause:. Deaths can also occur when dangerous synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, are added to the packaged mixture without the user knowing it. Synthetic cannabis has nothing to do with natural cannabis.

It is actually an active chemical and artificial substance. It is called "cannabis" because it mimics natural cannabis by acting on the same receptors of the organism, namely the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Its chemical composition is completely different from natural cannabis, and as such, synthetic cannabis must be screened with a test specific to it, just like any other drug.

Whatever the name used, synthetic cannabis, spice, K2, or "herbal incense", these substances are now totally illegal and classified as narcotics.

K2 has been the first generation of synthetic cannabis to appear on the market. Reference :. Test type :. Manufacturer :. Reliability :. Results in :. Cut-off detection standard :. Maximum detection time :. Quantity Unit price From 1 to 2 tests 4. Add to cart. Watch Live. Synthetic cannabis: Five-minute test to detect Spice could help save lives Spice is currently a Class B drug, but earlier this year the government said it was considering whether to upgrade it to Class A.

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