The whole truth about Spice or what is a smoking mixture?

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Attention! The material contains information about substances, the use of which can cause serious harm to your health!

Smoking mixtures are one of the most accessible and inexpensive types of drugs. In certain circles they are called “spice”, which translates as “spice”, and is associated with a well-known brand that was one of the first to market this product.

Handicraft production and a huge number of composition options make it possible to widely distribute mixtures, bypassing the Legislation - in Russia and a number of other countries, most smoking mixtures are prohibited for production and distribution. However, the drug continues to exist and poison not only adults and youth, but also teenagers.

• Smoking mixtures: what is it?
• Types of smoking mixtures
• Designer smoking mixes
• Natural smoking mixtures
• Synthetic cannabinoids
• Signs of using smoking mixtures
• How long does it take for smoking mixtures to leave the body?
• How long does it stay in the blood?
• How long does it stay in urine?
• Harm and consequences of using smoking mixtures
• Overdose and poisoning
• Withdrawal
• Death from smoking mixes
• Addiction treatment in
• Consequences of nicotine overdose
• Lethal dose of nicotine for humans
• Allergy to nicotine
• First aid for nicotine poisoning
• Treatment of nicotine poisoning in

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Smoking mixtures: what is it?

The name “smoking mixtures” brings together a variety of herbal compounds that have a psychoactive effect. They are used similarly to cigarettes, but have a stronger effect on the body and psyche, causing rapid addiction. Spice addiction has been compared to marijuana addiction. At the same time, doctors note a shorter period of destruction of internal organs compared to the plan.

How to spot a spice addict

The danger of spice lies in its availability, low cost and rapid addiction. Signs of use are:

• inappropriate behavior;
• dilated pupils;
• emotional instability;
• speech disorders;
• the presence of bags with unknown herbs;
• specific smell from things;
• various devices from improvised means.

If they are identified, the only option for further action will be to seek professional help from psychiatrists and narcologists. Spice addiction is a serious disease, but if you work together with a specialist, it can be cured.

Types of smoking mixtures

Due to the diversity of composition, the classification of smoking mixtures is difficult. They are conventionally divided into three types: designer, natural and synthetic.

Designer smoking mixes

The concept of “designer” came from the 80s. It means mixtures which are formulated for the purpose of avoiding existing Laws. By diluting an illegal drug with one component or another, manufacturers create new drugs that have the same properties as the original product. However, the law does not provide for such drugs, so there is no punishment for its distribution.

The introduced components may be of natural or synthetic origin, and may or may not have actions identical to the main substance. In any case, the resulting product remains a drug and leads to addiction and destruction of the body.

WHAT ARE SYNTHETIC DRUGS?

Natural smoking mixtures

The natural mix can include a variety of plants. So, in the composition of spice you can find: dwarf skullcap, ginseng, blue lotus, wild rosemary, fortune teller sage and other herbs, each of which has a psychoactive effect. Depending on the quality and quantity of components, the drug exhibits a sedative, stimulant or hallucinogenic effect. To enhance the smoking experience, manufacturers add synthetic cannabinoids to the mixture.

TREATMENT FROM SPICE

Synthetic cannabinoids

Synthetic smoking mixtures are based on synthetic cannabinoids - analogues of plant (in hemp) chemical compounds that have a pronounced psychoactive effect. Manufactured in different versions:

• powder;
• crystals;
• dust;
• soaked pieces of paper and so on.

Synthetic smoking mixtures form an addiction after the first dose, and within a year they destroy all organ systems.

Spice ban

In Europe, they thought for a long time about whether it was necessary to introduce a ban on spice or not. And at this time people were dying.. But still, most of the countries of Europe (Great Britain, Luxembourg, Sweden, Germany, France and others) still introduced a ban on this drug. Many of these bans came into force in 2009.

In Russia, the original “spice” was banned in 2009.

But this ban is not respected. Until now, many stores sell spice, just not openly, but under the counters.

Manufacturers circumvented Russian laws by changing the composition of spice.

In online stores today, spice is sold openly. Enter the name of the mixture in a search engine and see for yourself. It turns out that higher ranks are not worried about this at all. But many teenagers could have avoided drug addiction if things had been different.

At the moment (2012–13), similar in action to “Hemp” (marijuana) - “Salvia of the Diviners”, “Hawaiian Rose”, “Blue Lotus” (smoking mixtures) - are prohibited by the legislation of the Russian Federation. Nevertheless, a substance of synthetic origin JWH-018 (C24H23NO) appeared on the drug market, bypassing the legislation, which was also banned in 2010-11, but soon spices or smoking mixtures called JWH-210, JWH-200, JWH-203 entered the market , JWH-249, JWH-251, JWH-673, JWH-307, JWH-073, JWH-122, JWH-133, JWH-196, JWH-116, JWH-182, JWH-019, JWH-398, JWH -302, JWH-359, JWH-424, JWH-771, JWH-011, JWH-081, JWH-015, JWH-007, JWH-030, PN-420, etc. This is how the state’s war with drug producers continues: one is prohibited, another appears. In Russia, the powdered drug JWH-... supposedly comes from China in packages, then drug dealers dissolve it and impregnate tobacco or ordinary dried medicinal herbs (chamomile, etc.) purchased at a pharmacy with it, then dry it, package it and sell it as spice or smoking mixtures, unsuspecting weed lovers and teenagers trying their first drug, who in 90% of cases do not even know that they are smoking a chemical of unknown origin, which quickly causes dependence and intoxication of the body.

Remember! Smoking mixtures or spice are very dangerous, cause instant addiction, and damage the body with toxins.

Signs of using smoking mixtures

You can suspect a person of using mixes by such external signs as: pale skin, weight loss, dark circles under the eyes, lack of appetite, alternating with its increase. The central nervous system is especially affected. Symptoms of damage to the brain and peripheral nerve endings:

• irritability;
• memory losses;
• loss of interest in previous activities and surroundings;
• causeless laughter;
• secrecy, lies;
• loss of sense of reality.

While taking a dose, the addict is unable to clearly formulate a thought, may suddenly fall asleep in an uncomfortable position, fall into oblivion, or, on the contrary, become agitated, shout at innocent people, causing fear among people nearby.

How long does it take for smoking mixtures to leave the body?

The rate at which smoking mixtures are eliminated from the body depends on a number of factors;

• mixture composition;
• age characteristics;
• state of the body;
• dose;
• duration of use;
• combination with other drugs.

Speaking about the speed of elimination, special importance is attached to the composition of the mix. The inability to accurately determine which components are included in spice makes it difficult to predict the duration of withdrawal symptoms, conduct detoxification, and provide assistance in emergency cases.

How long does it stay in the blood?

It is difficult to determine the exact time at which the mix’s metabolites remain in the blood. Even laboratory analysis will only give an approximate result. On average, it is believed that toxic components leave the body 3-4 days after a single use of spice. Chronic use of the drug leads to a prolongation of the half-life.

How long does it stay in urine?

The same applies to urine - with a single dose, metabolites can only be detected in the next 4-5 days. Frequent smoking of the mix allows you to identify toxic products at any time.

Signs of an established addiction

With regular smoking, addiction occurs quickly. The following symptoms indicate addiction:

• increased frequency of an irresistible desire to smoke or at least take one puff of the mixture;
• inability to quit smoking drugs on your own;
• the appearance of withdrawal syndrome;
• increase in tolerance - use becomes more frequent and the dose increases;
• narrowing the range of interests, detachment from family life and previous hobbies;
• continued smoking even after the onset of health problems and psychosis.

Harm and consequences of using smoking mixtures

Smoking mixtures cause enormous irreparable physical and mental harm. Examples of violations include:

• dryness of the oral mucosa, nasopharynx, larynx;
• burns of the lips, tongue, respiratory tract, oral cavity;
• pathologies of blood vessels (thinning of the membrane, pathological expansion, hemorrhages);
• visual impairment;
• atrophy of muscle tissue, destruction of bones and joints;
• pathological changes in the gastrointestinal tract;
• disruption of the endocrine glands, changes in hormonal levels;
• speech problems;
• cognitive impairment (memory lapses, inability to concentrate);
• violation of movement coordination;
• antisocial behavior.

The consequence is the death of nerve cells and the destruction of interneuron connections, the development of dementia, attacks of paranoia, and schizophrenia.

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Overdose and poisoning

Confidence in the “lightness” of smoking mixtures often becomes the cause of an overdose. In addition, poisoning can be caused by an unfamiliar component of the mix - in order to reduce the cost of the drug and avoid punishment, the manufacturer adds new components to it, giving the mixture a stronger effect.

Symptoms of overdose may include: pallor, vomiting, fainting, coma. At the first signs of deterioration in health, you need to call a specialized drug treatment team. Otherwise, death is possible.

OVERDOSE FROM SPICE

Withdrawal

Smoking mixes form an addiction after 2-3 doses. Narcotic substances are instantly incorporated into the metabolism, which causes withdrawal symptoms when they are withdrawn. The following signs are characteristic of withdrawal:

• tremor, convulsions;
• insomnia;
• increased body temperature;
• pain in the head, body;
• depression;
• hallucinations, panic attacks.

This condition can last up to three or more weeks. Sometimes the withdrawal symptoms are so unbearable that the addict decides to commit suicide.

REMOVAL AT HOME

Death from smoking mixes

Death can occur not only with an overdose of a smoking mixture. A common occurrence that leads to the death of a drug addict is unbearable withdrawal. In people who constantly smoke spice, it is accompanied by visual, tactile and auditory hallucinations.

Persecution mania and panic attack, coupled with poor physical health, lead the addict to thoughts of suicide. In such a state, a person is not able to adequately assess what is happening, and out of fear he can do anything to ensure that the visions and sensations end.

Withdrawal syndrome

Physical withdrawal is not very pronounced, but mental withdrawal manifests itself in the form of increased craving for drugs and the appearance of anxiety, irritability and aggressiveness. Withdrawal syndrome develops gradually. After 2–3 days the following are observed:

• bouts of sweating,
• episodes of palpitations
• increased blood pressure;
• joint pain,
• a sharp decrease in mood,
• feelings of fear, panic and suicidal thoughts;
• isolation and negative attitude towards others.

The duration of withdrawal syndrome is about 7–9 days. This dangerous condition must be removed only in an inpatient drug treatment clinic.

Literature

• Questions of Narcology No. 6 (166). — 2021. — 113 p.
• Dependence on smoking mixtures containing synthetic cannabinoids: clinic and therapy / dissertation for a candidate of medical sciences: 01/14/27, 01/14/06 / Shakhova Svetlana Mikhailovna; [Place of protection: Nat. honey. research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology named after. V.P. Serbsky]. — Moscow, 2021. — 239 p.
• Narcology: a guide for doctors / P. D. Shabanov. — 2nd ed., revised. and additional - Moscow: GEOTAR-Media, 2012. - 829 p.

Article verified by an expert

Terekhova Anna Vladimirovna

psychologist-consultant on socio-psychological work with addicted clients and their families. More than 10 years of experience.

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