The Illinois Poison Center Blog explains:
The mountain [K2] is high, this fake weed gets you ‘high’…clever, eh? So what is this stuff anyway?
Basically these products contain synthetic chemicals that are similar to THC (tetrahydrocannibinol) which is the active chemical in marijuana or Cannabis. The most widely used chemical in these products is known as JWH-018, which was discovered by Dr John W Huffman, an organic chemist researching cannabinoid receptors at Clemson University. THC’s medicinal usefulness is not lost on scientists, and research is ongoing, with the hope of finding a similar chemical that will produce the analgesic, anti-nausea effects of marijuana but without the euphoric effects responsible for its legal status and overall stigma. There are 2 cannibinoid receptors in the body: CB1 and CB2.
CB1 is responsible for the ‘high’: euphoria, altered space-time perception, and alteration of visual, auditory and olfactory senses. These synthetic cannabinoids in K2/Spice bind to the CB1 receptor with a 3-4 fold higher affinity than THC, which likely explains its increased side effects such as agitation, anxiety, high blood pressure and increased heart rate.
The products are sold as ‘herbal’ even though the chemical is synthetic and is sprayed on random herbs (likely to keep in step with the marijuana culture). The products are sold in stores and online as incense/potpourri or as a smokable product. Labels may feature psychedelic art and claim to be herbal or a natural high. Concerns with K2/Spice (in addition to the aforementioned increased adverse effects) are that these particular chemicals have never been studied in humans (unlike marijuana, which has) so both short and long term medical effects are unknown.
No thank you. But for other opinions, see these product reviews from some actual users.
Post Script: Walter White should have gotten in on this and saved himself a lot of grief. Although had he done so, Breaking Bad wouldn't be nearly as entertaining.
the reviews are sometimes amusing aren't they? I'm more concerned about the chemicals in most of the shampoos or the MSG that laces so many "food" products. That's far more of a health risk and deserves more attention.
Posted by: k2 herbs | July 09, 2010 at 05:17 PM
A lot of people are surprised to find out there are actually only 4 varieties of authentic K2. K2 Summit, K2 Blonde, K2 Ultra, and K2 Sex. The rest are counterfeit.
Posted by: k2 | September 14, 2010 at 12:11 PM
K2 incense has survived every ban thus far and you can still buy k2 smoke products that aren't restricted by ANY current ban, so really, I think it will be around for quite some time. Unless of course they legalize marijuana.
Posted by: k2 herb | January 24, 2011 at 07:31 AM
Reading of blogs and giving comment on them its my habit and you get benefits of my habit..well your work is appreciable...
Posted by: spicy | April 11, 2012 at 10:53 AM
Even I am also surprised to hear about this four varieties of authentic K2...Feel good to read about it..The reviews are sometimes amusing..
Posted by: legalincenseblends.com | May 08, 2012 at 08:03 AM
I think it's a little unnerving to see an article about how dangerous K2 is....It is blatantly obvious that prohibition just doesn't work.If people want to buy k2 smoke, it looks like they are going to have no problems doing it as its very easy to get it.
Posted by: planetoftheherbs.com | May 11, 2012 at 07:52 AM
Its a crime to see any product as ‘herbal’ even though the product contains synthetic chemical.
Posted by: herbal | May 15, 2012 at 04:14 AM