It says something that the guy who inadvertently invented synthetic cannabis has said it’s not fit for human consumption. Spice has caused major harm across the UK, especially in vulnerable communities. In prisons, it was linked to nearly half of all non-natural deaths between 2015 and 2020, with 62 deaths out of 129. Its low cost and intense effects make it a common but dangerous escape for inmates.
- But what begins as occasional use can quickly spiral into something far more consuming.
- She works clinically as a prescribing pharmacist within a drug and alcohol treatment service.
- The use of this dangerous synthetic drug can lead to agitation, confusion, hallucinations, vomiting, heart attacks, comas and death.
- They also asked participants which withdrawal symptoms they experienced when attempting to stop.
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Without spice, interstellar travel would be impossible, and the delicate balance of power in the empire would be disrupted. Mr Jones said the reclassification of drugs like Spice from class B to class A would raise the issue in the minds of the public and mean harsher sentences for dealers. «Users are increasingly seen slumped on the streets in a state of semi-consciousness, often passed out, sometimes aggressive and always highly unpredictable,» said Mr Jones.» On the 15th of December, 2008, researchers at German pharmaceutical company THC-Pharm made a discovery.
- This is the story of how Spice morphed from a head shop staple to the tabloid-terrorising “zombie drug”.
- As the potency of Spice increased, many casual users stopped using the drug.
- Drug forums are utilized by the companies marketing new synthetic cannabis brands, who’ll look to create a buzz online before pushing them out into the mainstream.
- This quote by the mysterious character Baron Harkonnen encapsulates the importance of spice as the ultimate source of power.
- It’s not just that the chemicals are created in sketchy labs, it’s also that there is no way to tell if what somebody is smoking is really a synthetic marijuana in the first place or if it’s mixed with other, unknown compounds.
Ready to put Spice addiction behind you?
Lisa Sauder, executive director of the Bean’s Cafe homeless shelter, talks about a recent string of deaths in Anchorage, Alaska, related to a cheap synthetic drug called «spice.» Synthetic cannabinoids were originally designed to mimic the effects of cannabis, however, they are more harmful and unpredictable than the real version. Every time you smoke Spice, you are taking a risk as each batch of Spice is its own toxic mystery, packed with untested chemicals. One puff can send you hurtling into paranoia, terrifying hallucinations or crippling anxiety. As dependency builds, Spice can also exert a psychological hold, becoming your go-to for managing loneliness, stress, or just coping with the pressures of life.
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But in prisons and among the homeless population, where Spice gained a foothold due to its low cost and a lack of effective drug testing, its popularity skyrocketed. Charities have estimated that, in some areas of the country, up to 90 percent of the homeless population use Spice. A 2016 report by offenders’ charity User Voice found that one in three prisoners had used the drug within the last month. Neil Whittaker, a former drug user in Sheffield who is now in recovery, was introduced to Spice around four years ago. Over a period of a few months, Whittaker noticed the drug was having a different effect.
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The spice is then harvested by the Fremen people, who mine it from the depths of the desert. Overall, the spice melange and its connection to prescience play a central role in the world of Dune. It is a symbol of power, control, and the consequences of attempting to see and shape the future.
The spice’s connection to prescience is most famously described in the saying, “He who controls the spice, controls the universe.” This quote highlights the immense power and influence that the spice can bestow upon its possessors. The control of the spice often becomes a central plot point in the Dune series, with various factions vying for its control. However, the pursuit of spice is not just a matter of greed and power. It also serves as a metaphor for the unpredictable nature of destiny. In Frank spice is more than a deadly drug it’s a window on our society mike power Herbert’s epic science fiction series, the shifting sands of Arrakis symbolize the ever-changing tides of fate that can alter the course of individuals and entire civilizations.
This ability is highly sought after by powerful entities such as the Bene Gesserit sisterhood and the Spacing Guild. The spice allows them to navigate interstellar travel and manipulate political events in their favor. In the world of Dune, the spice is not just a physical substance but a symbol of the power of destiny itself. It is a reminder that no matter how much we try to control our own fate, we are ultimately at the mercy of forces greater than ourselves. It is this constant tension between determinism and free will that gives Dune its enduring appeal and makes it a timeless exploration of the human condition.
What started as a simple prescription for pain or an escape from trauma often developed into a pursuit for cheaper, and more effective ways to achieve the physiological effects of these drugs at detriment to their wellbeing. So what does this historical context provide about our current climate? These examples highlight the importance of psychosocial wellbeing in determining the purpose of drug use, showcasing why in fact abuse is so common within contemporary society. The Bolshevik Revolution for instance demonstrated how a rapid shift in the morals and values of society can also drive substance abuse due to a sense of communal alienation and deprivation. In the 1930s, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics was set up to counteract the sweeping reports of opioid abuse from a range of socioeconomic classes.
Continued use of synthetic cannabinoids can cause psychotic episodes, which in extreme cases can last for weeks, and may exacerbate existing mental-health illnesses in susceptible users. But most reports of severe mental health, addiction and acts of violence as a result of regular use tend to be among prisoners and homeless people. They are whisked to emergency rooms after collapsing or falling into a stupor, in numbers that often spike sharply for a day or two.
The so-called zombie drug Spice is the «most severe public health issue we have faced in decades», Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has said. Experimenting with psychedelic animals can have powerful consequences. While this small, gold-striped denizen of the Mediterranean Sea looks harmless, people have occasionally experienced terrifying hallucinations after ingesting it.