K2 Drug Facts and Statistics

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K2 Drug Facts: What You Need to Know About Synthetic Weed | Facts About K2 Use, Addiction, and Treatment | Need Help? Call Now

Not all drugs look scary from the outside. But when it comes to a category of substances collectively known as K2, drugs’ facts are much more intimidating than their appearance. K2 comes in brightly colored, cheerful-looking packets, filled with an unassuming mixture of dried, green plant matter. Surely, people assume, this can’t be more dangerous than, say, cocaine or heroin. Unfortunately, it is precisely because of assumptions like this that users end up fighting to breathe or suffering from potentially deadly seizures. The facts about K2 aren’t as pretty as the packaging the drug comes in, but they are essential to know.

K2: The Basics

K2, also known as synthetic marijuana or Spice, is a combination of dried leaves onto which a synthetic chemical cocktail is sprayed. While K2 is designed to imitate the effects of THC, the main contributor to the effects of marijuana, this drug is substantially more dangerous. Users may experience an irregular heartbeat, psychosis, unexpected aggressive behavior, or a sudden stroke. These K2 facts may be alarming, and they should be: The effects of K2 are largely unpredictable and vary from person to person.

Facts About K2

Drug use can cause devastating effects, and the use of K2 is no different. For those who may be looking at K2 drug facts for the first time, the picture that emerges is one of uncertainty and danger. Even if the drug causes only inconvenient physical reactions, the mental effects may be severe, including suicidal tendencies and hallucinations.

  • K2 first appeared in Britain in 2004.
  • In 2013, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency officially banned synthetic marijuana, but since the specific formula varies and is always changing, K2 remains one step ahead of the law.
  • Since the drug is relatively new, the long-term effects of K2 use are still unknown.
  • In 2010, more than 11,400 people were sent to the emergency room due to the effects of synthetic marijuana.
  • Synthetic marijuana was first researched in the 1990s by John Huffman. His findings laid out the blueprint for amateur chemists to create their own synthetic mixtures.
  • Those who smoke K2 are often called “zombies” due to the behavior induced by the drug.
  • The synthetic cannabinoids found in K2 can be 100 times more potent than the THC found in natural cannabis.
  • In addition to seizures and death, K2 can cause permanent damage to the kidneys and may lower IQ.
  • According to the New York Times, in 2015, more than 6,000 people in New York City had to be admitted to emergency rooms because of their K2 usage.
  • In the fall of 2015, police officers in the Bronx confiscated 2 million packets of K2.
  • While most people smoke K2, the substance can also be brewed into a tea.
  • In 2016, 3.5% of 12th-graders reported that they had tried K2.

Are You or a Loved One Addicted to K2?

Drug facts can be hard to face, especially if they reveal truths about ourselves we’d rather not know. Individuals who use K2 may brush off the effects or promise to reduce their use in the future. Doctors don’t yet know how severe the long-term effects of K2 may be, but given that the short-term consequences can include a stroke, coma, or death, it’s safe to say that professional intervention and therapy is a wise choice. Due to the intense physical effects of K2, users may find that they require a professionally assisted detox in order to remain safe and comfortable during withdrawal.

If you need help to leave K2 behind, we’re here for you. WhiteSands Treatment Center specializes in private, personalized care and dual-diagnosis therapy programs. Our counseling staff includes board-certified psychiatrists, and our rehabilitation center is fully accredited, so you can rest assured that you’ll receive the best possible care.

For more K2 facts, information about our programs, or any other inquiries relating to drugs, alcohol, or addiction, please call our 24/7 phone line or fill out the form here. Our team of treatment specialists is waiting to help you get sober and reclaim a healthy future.