Heidi Norton
Legal high incense, also known as herbal incense, is a substance that has gained media attention as an alternative or legal high. It is often sold as herbal smoking blends or synthetic marijuana and is abused for its psychogenic, hallucinogenic, and mood-altering effects. The plant material in these products does not contain marijuana or other psychoactive plants but is sprayed with chemicals that target the same receptors as marijuana/THC, producing a similar euphoric high. These chemicals are engineered and not naturally occurring, and the specific substances applied may vary between products and batches, making the effects unpredictable and dangerous. While marketed and sold as natural and safe, the use of these substances has led to an increase in emergency room visits and several adverse health effects, including dry mouth, increased heart rate, impaired motor skills, agitation, unconsciousness, and altered mood, as well as kidney failure and seizures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other Names | "Bath salts", "herbal incense", K2, Spice, Genie, Yucatan Fire, Space, Aroma, Krypton, synthetic marijuana, natural herbs, herbal smoking blends, cripy |
| Composition | Synthetic cannabinoids sprayed onto plant matter |
| Effects | Euphoric high, psychogenic, hallucinogenic, mood-altering, dry mouth, increased heart rate, impaired motor skills, agitation, unconsciousness, altered mood and perception |
| Legality | Not listed as controlled substances in the US, but some ingredients have been banned in the US and globally |
| Health Risks | Kidney failure, seizures, carcinogenic potential, toxicity, addiction, withdrawal, death |
| Use | Smoked like a cigarette, inhaled from an open container or pipe, ingested as dried leaves or liquid |
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What You'll Learn
Synthetic cannabinoids
The negative effects of synthetic cannabinoid use include palpitations, paranoia, intense anxiety, nausea, vomiting, confusion, poor coordination, and seizures. There have also been reports of a strong compulsion to re-dose, withdrawal symptoms, and persistent cravings, indicating that these substances may be addictive. In some cases, synthetic cannabinoids have been found to contain other psychoactive substances, including psychoactive herbs and alkaloids, and even synthetic opioids, further increasing the risk of adverse effects.
The federal government has banned many specific synthetic cannabinoids, and state and local governments have passed their own laws to target these substances. However, manufacturers continuously create new products with slightly different ingredients to circumvent these regulations. The variety of synthetic cannabinoid products and the lack of standards for their manufacture make it difficult to know what these products contain, posing significant risks to consumers.
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Herbal blends
"Legal highs" refer to substances that produce effects similar to those of controlled drugs but are not yet illegal. They are often sold as "not for human consumption" or "herbal blends" to bypass FDA regulation. Synthetic cannabinoids in herbal blends were first detected in 2008. They are sold under brand names such as "Spice", "K2", "Cloud 9", "Mojo", and many others.
Synthetic cannabinoids are a large public health concern due to their increasing use and unpredictable toxicity and abuse potential. They are believed to have a heightened potential for adverse events compared to cannabis because they are full agonists of cannabinoid receptors, whereas THC is only a partial agonist. Synthetic cannabinoids have been associated with signs of addiction and withdrawal similar to those observed in cannabis abuse. They are often abused for their psychogenic, hallucinogenic, and mood-altering effects.
The specific compounds found in Spice blends are rarely known, and commercial products may contain unknown contaminants. This makes it difficult to determine the exact effects of these substances and increases the risk of serious, if not lethal, outcomes.
There has been an increase in the number of patients brought to the emergency room as a direct result of using these "legal" substances. This includes reports of acute psychosis, delirium, violent behaviour, seizures, and cardiovascular emergencies.
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Health concerns
Incense smoke contains particulate matter, gas products, and organic compounds. The particulate matter in incense smoke contains carcinogens and irritants, which could lead to respiratory diseases such as asthma. Burning incense may trigger asthma and is associated with the development of childhood asthma and respiratory allergies.
A 2020 study found that burning incense may cause issues with brain health in adults over 65 years of age. The study found delays in cognitive performance and a decrease in brain connectivity, which could be caused by long-term air pollution from incense burning.
In addition, incense smoke produces carbon monoxide, which is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas. Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause headaches, dizziness, weakness, and nausea, and high concentrations can be fatal.
Other adverse health effects of incense burning include respiratory issues, cardiovascular complications, neuropsychological disturbances, and dermatological concerns.
Synthetic cannabinoids are often used in herbal incense products, and these drugs have a heightened potential for adverse events. The effects of synthetic cannabinoids on the brain may pose a higher likelihood of dependence and withdrawal. There have been reported cases of life-threatening bleeding caused by herbal incense containing rat poison, as well as other serious medical consequences and dangerous behavior.
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Legality and restrictions
"Legal high incense", also known as "herbal incense", "synthetic marijuana", K2, Spice, Genie, Yucatan Fire, and bath salts, is a substance that has gained media attention as an "alternative" or "legal high". It is typically made by spraying plant material that does not contain marijuana or other psychoactive plants with chemicals that target the same receptors as marijuana/THC to produce a similar euphoric high.
The legality of legal high incense varies by jurisdiction and is constantly evolving as new compounds are developed and identified. While the specific chemicals used in these substances may not be explicitly illegal, the sale and distribution of these products are often subject to restrictions and regulations.
In the United States, for example, the original compounds found in "Spice" products were made illegal, and analytical tests are being developed to detect additional synthetic cannabinoids in forthcoming herbal blends. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has also taken action by scheduling some synthetic cannabinoids as controlled substances, making their possession, sale, and use illegal. However, the specific scheduling and restrictions may vary from state to state.
In Europe, synthetic cannabinoids have been regulated under the United Nations drug control conventions since 2009. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) provides regular updates on the legal status of new psychoactive substances, including synthetic cannabinoids, to inform law enforcement and public health responses.
To circumvent legal restrictions, manufacturers of legal high incense continuously develop new synthetic compounds that are not explicitly prohibited. This has led to a complex and ever-changing landscape of regulated substances, with varying levels of enforcement across different regions.
It is worth noting that, despite the term "legal" in its name, the use of legal high incense is associated with significant health risks, including toxicity, kidney failure, seizures, and even death. As such, many jurisdictions are actively working to restrict the sale and distribution of these substances, and employers are encouraged to implement policies prohibiting their use and possession.
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Designer drugs
"Legal high incense" is a term used to describe herbal incense products that are marketed as a legal alternative to marijuana and sold under common names such as K2, Spice, Genie, Yucatan Fire, and synthetic marijuana. These products are often labelled "not for human consumption" to bypass regulations and are abused for their psychogenic, hallucinogenic, and mood-altering effects.
The concept of designer drugs is not new but has evolved with the expansion of drug classes and their global availability due to the internet. Designer drugs, or designer cannabinoids, are non-plant research chemicals that affect the endocannabinoid signalling system (ECS) and can produce a marijuana-like "high". Synthetic cannabinoids were first detected in herbal blends near the end of 2008 and have since become widely available for purchase online and in so-called "head shops".
The chemicals in these substances target the same receptors as marijuana/THC but are engineered and not naturally occurring. The plant material is sprayed with synthetic cannabinoids, which have been designed to be similar to THC, the natural cannabinoid with the strongest binding affinity to the CB1 receptor linked to the psychoactive effects or "high" of marijuana. These synthetic analogs often have a greater binding affinity and potency to the CB1 receptors, leading to heightened potential for adverse events.
There are health concerns about these synthetic cannabinoids, with reports of kidney failure, seizures, increased heart rate, dry mouth, impaired motor skills, agitation, unconsciousness, and altered mood and perception. In some cases, synthetic cannabinoids have been contaminated with dangerous substances such as brodifacoum, a rat poison that causes severe bleeding. There is also evidence that tolerance to these synthetic drugs occurs rapidly, which could lead to a greater risk of dependence.
Due to the dangers and abuse potential of these substances, many governments have banned certain synthetic cannabinoids, and analytical tests are being developed to detect them in herbal blends. However, the global availability and constant evolution of these drugs make it challenging to regulate and control their use.
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Frequently asked questions
Legal high incense, also known as herbal incense, is a substance that has gained media attention as an "alternative" or "legal high". It is often smoked like a cigarette or inhaled from an open container or pipe.
Legal high incense produces a euphoric high similar to that of marijuana. It can cause minor after-effects, increased heart rate, impaired motor skills, agitation, unconsciousness, and altered mood and perception. Chronic use has been linked to signs of addiction and withdrawal.
Legal high incense has been associated with toxicity, kidney failure, seizures, and unpredictable effects. There is also a risk of dependence due to the rapid development of tolerance. There have been reports of severe bleeding caused by a synthetic cannabinoid contaminated with rat poison, resulting in multiple hospitalizations and deaths.
While marketed as a "legal" alternative to marijuana, the original compounds found in legal high incense products have been made illegal in many places. However, manufacturers continuously develop new synthetic cannabinoids to avoid these restrictions, creating a challenge for regulatory authorities.
