The Nation’s Health Healthy You February 2015 Synthetic drugs: ‘For sale’ doesn’t always mean it’s safe

By Natalie McGill NIDA says. But just because they’re legally sold doesn’t mean they’re safe. ou may already know about the health “We don’t know the underlying mechanisms risks that come with illegal drugs, but for many of these new drugs, and we don’t Ylegally sold substances designed to know anything about their purity, or possible mimic such drugs could be as close as your additives, because there’s no quality control in local convenience store — and they can be just the synthesis and packaging of the products,” as dangerous. Baumann says. “So, there are a lot of Synthetic drugs are human-made chemicals unknowns here that provide for a substantial that have psychoactive effects similar to some risk to public health.” illegal drugs. Two of the most popular synthetic Young adults may be at high risk for drugs in the U.S. are synthetic cannabinoids — >> For more information on synthetic using synthetic drugs. Synthetic cannabinoids, known as synthetic marijuana — and bath salts drugs, visit www.drugabuse.gov — known as synthetic stimulants. These new for example, are one of the three most-used drugs are dangerous not just because of the drugs among U.S. eighth graders and high risk for addiction, but because of the school seniors, according to because of their potency. unknowns about their long-term effects to NIDA. Health complications “One of the problems with synthetic your health. such as seizures, marijuana is that it’s so potent...even a small Synthetic cannabinoid products are vomiting and high amount can have very robust effects made of chemicals that are sprayed blood pressure after and people get into trouble with that,” he says. onto plant material. They’re marketed using synthetic “They overdose inadvertently because the as “safe” alternatives to marijuana, marijuana have drugs are so potent.” says the National Institute on Drug sent thousands of Bath salts get their name from their Abuse. Bath salts — which are unre - teens — especially appearance — they look like Epsom salts lated to products used in bathing — teenage boys — to or bath crystals that some people use as bath products contain synthetic versions of emergency rooms in additives, Baumann says. The effects of bath the drug cathinone — a stimulant that is the U.S., according to salts are similar to that of cocaine and similar to amphetamine, which can be NIDA. In recent years, methamphetamine — an increased heart some states have passed laws rate, higher blood pressure and euphoria — r dangerous in high doses. e w o There are still many questions about exactly to make synthetic marijuana illegal. and the drugs can be highly addictive. M n e how these synthetic drugs affect the body and Products containing synthetic drugs can Bath salts are often snorted, but can also be r r a

D what chemicals are in the products sold to con - be labeled with different names. Synthetic taken as pills, he says. Products containing y b

e sumers, says Michael Baumann, PhD, a staff cannabinoids are also known as “K2” or bath salts are purposely mislabeled, making it c i p s scientist in the Designer Drug Research Unit at “spice” to users, Baumann says. easier for them to be sold and marketed, he

, s e r NIDA’s Intramural Research Program. Another health risk is the practice of putting says. u t p a In some cases, the chemicals in synthetic synthetic cannabinoids into food. While putting “After high doses of bath salts, you can get c e t a drugs may be legal, making it easier for prod - marijuana into edible products may already serious adverse effects, such as psychosis, v o n n ucts that contain them to be sold in places as hyperthermia, excited delirium and even death,

I affect your health, Baumann says using syn - y b accessible as gas stations or smoke shops, thetic cannabinoids are especially dangerous in some cases,” Baumann says. n a m n w o d - Parents: Tips for talking to your teens s b m u If you suspect your teen may be using drugs — synthetic h t

, o or otherwise — there are ways to seek help. The Substance n i n o Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National m n a

u Helpline has a toll-free number, 1-800-662-HELP. J y

b You can call for advice on how to locate addiction n e

e and treatment services where you live. With the risk of T

: o t experimenting with drugs more likely to begin while young, o h p

k parents may also need help in how to start the conversation c o t

S about drugs. i y s

e NIDA’s website provides a resource for parents on how to t r u o talk with their kids and information about specific drugs. Visit c s o t www.teens.drugabuse.gov/parents/drugs-and-your-kids. o h P

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