Anisha Riggs
Synthetic cannabinoids, also known as fake weed, are often laced in herbal smoking products that are sold as incense. These products are readily available online and in head shops. While standard drug tests typically only check for THC, which is not present in herbal incense, some people have reported failing drug tests after using these products. Immunoassay screens and analytical tests are being developed to detect synthetic cannabinoids, but their presence in herbal incense is not always easy to determine as ingredients are not always listed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Will herbal incense show up on a drug test? | No, as a standard drug test when trying to detect marijuana will only check for THC, which is not present in herbal incense. |
| What is herbal incense? | Synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs) that produce effects similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and marijuana. |
| What are some brand names of herbal incense? | Spice, K2, Cloud 9, Mojo, Syn, Haze, and many others. |
| What are herbal incense products made from? | Herbal incense is made from legal herbs and synthetic chemicals that mimic the natural THC found in marijuana. |
| Where can herbal incense be purchased? | Herbal incense can be purchased in head shops and on the internet, often with a requirement to be over the age of 18. |
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What You'll Learn
Synthetic cannabinoids in herbal incense
Synthetic cannabinoids are human-made mind-altering chemicals that are either sprayed on dried, shredded plant material or sold as liquids to be vaporized and inhaled in e-cigarettes or other devices. They are designed to mimic the effects of THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. These synthetic cannabinoids are often marketed and sold as "herbal incense," "potpourri," or "herbal smoking blends" under various brand names such as "Spice," "K2," "Cloud 9," and "Mojo."
Synthetic cannabinoids were first detected in herbal blends in 2008 and have since become a significant public health concern due to their increasing use and unpredictable toxicity. They are often abused for their psychoactive properties, with users seeking a marijuana-like "high." These substances are easily accessible and can be purchased online or in head shops.
The synthetic cannabinoids found in herbal incense products can have adverse health effects, including tachycardia (elevated heart rate), elevated blood pressure, unconsciousness, tremors, seizures, vomiting, hallucinations, agitation, anxiety, pallor, numbness, and tingling. They have also been linked to severe bleeding caused by contamination with brodifacoum, a rat poison.
The variety of synthetic cannabinoids is extensive, and they can be categorized into five main types: classical cannabinoids, non-classical cannabinoids, hybrid cannabinoids, aminoalkylindoles, and eicosanoids. Classical cannabinoids, developed in the 1960s, were the first synthetic cannabinoids and include compounds like nabilone and dronabinol. However, they are not commonly found in recreational blends due to their difficulty in synthesis.
The detection of synthetic cannabinoids in herbal incense products is a complex task. While drug tests can detect some synthetic cannabinoids, the variability in smoking mixtures and the constant emergence of new compounds pose challenges. Immunoassay screens and advanced techniques like liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) can be used to detect certain synthetic cannabinoid metabolites in urine and oral fluid samples.
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Standard drug tests and herbal incense
Standard drug tests typically refer to urine or saliva tests that are used to detect the presence of illegal drugs or substances in an individual's system. These tests are often employed by law enforcement agencies, employers, or in safety-critical industries to ensure compliance with legal or safety requirements. One of the commonly tested drugs is marijuana or cannabis, which contains the chemical THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), a cannabinoid that interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the brain to produce a "high".
Herbal incense, on the other hand, refers to synthetic cannabinoids that are designed to mimic the effects of marijuana. These synthetic cannabinoids, also known by brand names such as "Spice," "K2," "Cloud 9," and "Mojo," are often sold as herbal blends and have become a growing public health concern due to their increasing use and unpredictable toxicity. While herbal incense products can induce feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and elevated mood similar to marijuana, they do not contain THC.
Due to the absence of THC in herbal incense, standard marijuana drug tests will not detect its presence. These tests rely on colorimetric reagents that interact with THC metabolites in saliva or urine samples, causing a colour change that indicates a positive result. However, since herbal incense does not contain THC, it will not trigger this colour change, and the test will return a negative result. This means that individuals who use herbal incense products can often go undetected during standard marijuana drug tests.
It is important to note that while herbal incense may evade standard drug tests, it does not mean it is undetectable. More advanced testing methods, such as liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), can detect synthetic cannabinoid metabolites in urine samples. This technique, employed by laboratories like Redwood Toxicology Laboratory, offers a more definitive test for synthetic cannabinoids. Additionally, oral fluid testing using LC/MS/MS can confirm the presence of parent synthetic cannabinoid drugs.
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Spice and related herbal incense products
"Spice" and related herbal incense products are synthetic cannabinoids that were first marketed as a "legal" alternative to marijuana that would not show up on drug tests. They were originally designed for laboratory testing but have since been used recreationally. Spice was first made available in 2004 in several European countries under brand names such as "Spice," "Spice Diamond," "Spice Gold," and "Yucatan Fire."
Spice is a synthetic cannabinoid that can be dissolved in a solvent and sprayed onto plant material that is not marijuana. It is then marketed as herbal incense or a "legal high." Smoking is the most common route of administration, and it produces effects similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and marijuana. The chemical structures of the psychoactive components of these products, as well as the composition of the herbal products themselves, are continually changing. This makes it difficult to identify which adverse effects are caused by which synthetic cannabinoid chemicals.
Spice and other synthetic cannabinoids are dangerous products that are often marketed to youth with names like "K2" and "Spice." They are easily purchased online and in small retail outlets, such as "head shops" and convenience stores, without age restrictions. The number of emergency department visits involving synthetic cannabinoids has been increasing, with the rate of visits more than doubling between 2010 and 2011 for those aged 18 to 20.
Immunoassay screens are now available for some synthetic cannabinoids, and laboratories such as Redwood Toxicology Laboratory (RTL) offer definitive synthetic cannabinoid biomarker test results. However, the original compounds found in Spice products have been made illegal, and analytical tests are being developed to detect additional synthetic cannabinoids in forthcoming herbal blends.
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Health concerns and synthetic cannabinoids
Synthetic cannabinoids are human-made, mind-altering chemicals that are either sprayed on dried, shredded plant material so they can be smoked or sold as liquids to be vaporized and inhaled in e-cigarettes and other devices. They are also known by brand names such as "Spice," "K2," "herbal incense," "Cloud 9," and "Mojo". They are widely available and can be purchased in convenience stores, from individual drug dealers, or online.
Synthetic cannabinoids are a growing public health concern due to their increasing use, unpredictable toxicity, and abuse potential. They are popular because users often believe they are legal and relatively safe. However, they can cause severe illness and even death. They may also be addictive, as some people have reported withdrawal symptoms after heavy and prolonged use. The long-term effects of long-term synthetic cannabinoid use are unknown, but they may affect the brain in different and unpredictable ways compared to marijuana.
Synthetic cannabinoids can produce pathophysiological changes in many tissues, which can be severe enough to damage the normal functionality of body systems. They are known to target the endocannabinoid system in many body organs, particularly the cannabinoid receptors CB1R and CB2R. The activation of these receptors can trigger downstream signaling pathways, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, which can lead to harmful changes in multiple organs, including the heart. The severity of these toxic effects seems to be related to the balance between cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid signaling pathways. Higher doses of synthetic cannabinoids can lead to more intense deleterious effects, particularly on the heart.
While there is no specific antidote for synthetic cannabinoid toxicity, healthcare professionals can provide supportive treatments such as oxygen, intravenous fluids, and medications to control seizures, agitation, and nausea. It is important to seek immediate medical attention if you or anyone you know becomes sick after using synthetic cannabinoids.
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History of herbal incense
The history of herbal incense is tied to the history of ""designer cannabinoids"", which are non-plant research chemicals that affect the endocannabinoid signalling system (ECS) and can produce a marijuana-like "high". The concept of designer drugs is not new and can be traced back to the early 20th century, but the expansion of drug classes covered by this concept and their global availability is a more recent development, made possible by the World Wide Web.
Synthetic cannabinoids in herbal blends were first detected near the end of 2008. These synthetic cannabinoids, also known as "Spice", "K2", "herbal incense", "Cloud 9", "Mojo", and many other brand names, are becoming a large public health concern due to their increasing use, unpredictable toxicity, and abuse potential. Studies have shown that synthetic cannabinoids are associated with higher rates of toxicity and hospital admissions than natural cannabis. This is likely due to synthetic cannabinoids being direct agonists of the cannabinoid receptors, while THC (the main psychoactive compound in marijuana) is only a partial agonist.
The myriad of compounds found in synthetic cannabinoids are mostly potent full agonists of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), producing effects similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and marijuana. By using drug discrimination and other behavioural techniques, researchers can determine whether these new synthetic compounds share a similar "subjective high" with the effects of marijuana/THC. This can help improve our understanding of these new "designer" cannabinoids and assist in treating their acute and chronic effects.
The brand names of synthetic cannabinoids, such as "Spice" and "K2", are constantly changing, and new compounds are always being added, making it difficult for regulators to keep up. These products are readily available on the Internet and in many head shops around the world.
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Frequently asked questions
No, herbal incense does not show up on a standard drug test. However, it may show up on an oral fluid test.
Herbal incense is made from a variety of natural herbs, including mullein leaf, lemon balm, Indian tobacco, passion flower, wild lettuce, and California poppy.
Standard drug tests check for THC, which is not present in herbal incense. Instead, it contains other chemicals that are not tested for.
Immunoassay screens and oral fluid tests are available that can detect some synthetic cannabinoids found in herbal incense.
Yes, there have been reports of adverse effects, including agitation, rapid heart rate, confusion, dizziness, and nausea. Synthetic cannabinoids are also associated with higher rates of toxicity and hospital admissions than natural cannabis.
