Seamus Hammond
Burning incense is a traditional practice in many parts of the world, especially in the East, for various purposes. Incense smoke contains particulate matter, gas products, and organic compounds, which can cause respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer. Synthetic cannabinoids, also known as Spice, K2, or herbal incense, are a public health concern due to their increasing use, unpredictable toxicity, and abuse potential. These synthetic compounds are often smoked to produce a marijuana-like high. While incense burning is a cultural and religious practice in some societies, its health and environmental risks are raising concerns.
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What You'll Learn
Synthetic cannabinoids in herbal incense
Synthetic cannabinoids are human-made compounds designed to act like the natural cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. They are often sprayed onto plant matter and smoked, although they can also be ingested as a concentrated liquid or vaporized through electronic cigarettes. These synthetic cannabinoids are often marketed and sold as "herbal incense," "potpourri," or "herbal smoking blends" and are intended to mimic the psychoactive effects of THC, the main active ingredient in marijuana.
There are several reasons why synthetic cannabinoids are used in herbal incense products. Firstly, they are designed to circumvent legal restrictions on cannabis, making them attractive to manufacturers and distributors looking to bypass regulations. By spraying these synthetic compounds onto plant material, they can be packaged and sold as incense or potpourri, often with labels stating "not for human consumption" to deter legal liability.
Secondly, synthetic cannabinoids offer a more potent and unpredictable high compared to natural cannabis. According to medical toxicologist Lewis Nelson, synthetic cannabinoids are "really quite different" from marijuana, and their effects are much more unpredictable and dangerous. This makes them appealing to users seeking a more intense psychoactive experience.
The variety of synthetic cannabinoids is vast and constantly evolving. There are five major categories: classical cannabinoids, non-classical cannabinoids, hybrid cannabinoids, aminoalkylindoles, and eicosanoids. Classical cannabinoids, developed in the 1960s, include well-known compounds like HU-210, which was discovered in herbal incense products. However, they are less commonly found in recreational blends due to the difficulty in synthesizing them. Instead, newer synthetic cannabinoids with catchy names like AKB-48 (APINACA) and XLR-11 are marketed to appeal to users, sometimes even named after popular bands or cultural references.
The use of synthetic cannabinoids in herbal incense products poses significant health risks. Adverse effects of consuming these substances include elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, unconsciousness, tremors, seizures, vomiting, hallucinations, agitation, anxiety, and numbness. Several cases of intoxication and overdose from herbal incense products containing synthetic cannabinoids have been reported, leading state health and poison centers to issue warnings about their abuse. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of the potential dangers associated with these synthetic cannabinoids when considering their use.
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Health concerns and toxicity
Smoking herbal incense can have several negative health effects. The smoke released from burning incense has a sweet, pleasant smell, but it also contains particulate matter that can be easily inhaled and may carry negative health consequences.
The gaseous phase of incense smoke consists of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, polycyclic aromatic compounds, volatile organic compounds, and particle-phase particulate matter. The particulate matter (PM) in incense smoke contains carcinogens and irritants, which could lead to respiratory diseases such as asthma and allergies. Burning incense may trigger asthma and has been associated with childhood asthma. It can also cause allergic contact dermatitis and chronic inflammation in the body.
Incense smoke has also been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and cancer, particularly upper respiratory tract carcinomas and lung carcinomas. The combustion of incense sticks has been linked to aggravated asthma and allergies, with the smoke containing various toxic and irritant compounds alongside its aromatic compounds. Studies suggest that incense smoke contributes to overall inflammation and may affect heart tissues and deposit harmful substances in the body.
A 2020 study found that burning incense may negatively impact brain health in older adults over 65 years of age. The study found issues with cognitive performance and decreased brain connectivity, which could be due to long-term air pollution caused by incense burning, resulting in smaller brain and prefrontal cortex volumes. However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these observations.
To reduce potential health risks, it is recommended to limit incense use and exposure to the smoke. Opening windows during or after burning incense can help reduce exposure. Exploring alternative types of incense or scent sources with fewer risks may also be beneficial if you are concerned about the potential health impacts.
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Spice and K2 as herbal incense
Smoking herbal incense, or "synthetic marijuana", has become increasingly popular, with products like K2 and Spice being two of the most well-known brands. These are synthetic cannabinoids that are sprayed onto dried plant matter, usually a leaf such as damiana or mugwort, which is then smoked. The leaf acts as a vehicle for the drug.
These products are often marketed as "herbal incense" or "potpourri" and are sold under the guise of being natural. However, they are not safe alternatives to cannabis. They are designed to mimic THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, and users seek effects such as an elevated mood, relaxation, and altered perception. But, the side effects can be dangerous and include extreme anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, vomiting, violent behaviour, and suicidal thoughts.
The issue with these synthetic cannabinoids is that users cannot be sure what chemicals have been used or in what quantity. The strength of the product is often unpredictable, and the law necessitates deceptive labeling. For example, in one incident, fentanyl was found to have been added to K2, which was consumed by users.
The pharmacology of the active components in these products is often uncharacterized, and the lack of known biomarkers makes it difficult to confirm the use of synthetic cannabinoids. This has prompted scientists to employ various methods to identify and quantify the contents of these products, as well as to determine their metabolic pathways and urinary metabolites.
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Marijuana-like high
Smoking herbal incense is a new way for people to get high, with some claiming it gives a marijuana-like high. In fact, in places like New Orleans, people are smoking "mojo" or "spice" instead of marijuana because it is legal. However, it should be noted that there are no regulations on herbal incense, and law enforcement has warned parents about this so-called "legal weed".
Herbal incense contains a combination of three synthetic chemicals, including the compound jw8-018, which gives smokers a marijuana-like high. The DEA has included this specific combination in their list of controlled substances. However, manufacturers keep changing the chemicals used to mimic THC, and each new combination would have to be outlawed and traceable to be enforced.
To smoke herbal incense, you will need to purchase it first. In the US, for example, it is sold as incense at herb shops, also known as "ra" or "head" shops. Once you have purchased the herbal incense, you can follow these steps to smoke it:
- Place the tip of the herbal incense stick into a flame.
- Gently blow it out.
- The stick will now give off a continuous plume of smoke.
- Place the stick into a designated holder, which will capture the embers and minimise the fire hazard.
It is important to note that you should never directly inhale the smoke from the end of an incense stick. These fumes contain plant compounds as well as products that are not fit for human consumption. Instead, use the incense to fill a room with its aroma, and only use it in large, airy rooms.
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The emergence of designer cannabimimetics
The concept of designer drugs is not new and can be traced back to the early 20th century. However, the expansion of drug classes covered by this concept and their global availability, facilitated by the internet, is a more recent development. The last decade has seen a dramatic increase in new designer drugs on the illegal market.
Synthetic cannabinoids in herbal blends were first detected near the end of 2008. These synthetic cannabinoids, originally designed for testing in the laboratory, have found recreational use in designer herbal blends, originally called "Spice". Spice and related herbal incense products have been widely available for purchase in "head shops" and online. Some ingredients may be listed on the package, but if laced with synthetic cannabimimetics, these additions and amounts are not revealed, as the product is "not for human consumption".
Spice products have been banned by most governments worldwide, but this does not mean the end of designer cannabimimetics. There is a plethora of CB1R agonists and their synthesis described in the scientific literature, and the proliferation of cannabimimetics is unprecedented in the annals of designer drugs. The rapid rise in the number of unknown compounds presents a significant challenge for forensic scientists and law enforcement agencies.
The analytical characteristics obtained for the compounds from this new class of "designer drugs" will make their reliable identification during forensic examination possible. Gas chromatography with a mass spectrometry detector (GC–MS), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) can be used to identify the structure of these compounds.
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Frequently asked questions
Herbal incense is a synthetic cannabinoid that is smoked to produce a marijuana-like "high". It is also known by brand names such as "Spice", "K2", "Cloud 9", and "Mojo".
The process of smoking herbal incense is similar to that of smoking marijuana. The incense is typically smoked using a pipe, joint, or vaporizer.
The effects of smoking herbal incense can vary depending on the specific blend and the individual. However, it is known to produce effects similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and marijuana, including an altered mental state and heightened sensory perception.
