Understanding Synthetic Cannabis

You may have seen them for sale at your local gas station or convenience store. Some people say they are a safer alternative to weed. Others claim you can’t get addicted to them. What’s the truth about products in the synthetic cannabis category?

What Is Synthetic Cannabis?

Synthetic cannabis refers to several lab-created drugs that are designed to mimic THC, which is the primary active ingredient in marijuana.

Manufacturers and sellers may also describe these substances as synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic marijuana, or fake weed. They market them under a wide variety of names, including K2, Spice, herbal incense, and potpourri, and they produce them in many forms, including:

• Liquid (to be inhaled or smoked in a vape)
• Sprayed onto plant-like material, which can then be smoked
• Pills to be swallowed
• Soaked into blotter paper like LSD, to be consumed orally

Though marketers often present them as legal alternatives to actual marijuana, authorities have outlawed many types of synthetic cannabis. And though many people view them as a “safer” version of weed, they can actually be quite dangerous.

Why Do People Use It?

People can have myriad reasons for using synthetic cannabis and other drugs. Though it would be impossible to list them all, experts have identified a few common factors:

• Legality: Various products that fall under the synthetic cannabis umbrella are sold in some states where the sale, purchase, and possession of actual cannabis remains illegal.
• Ease of access: So-called synthetic cannabis products are typically sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and convenience stores. This makes these products more accessible to a wider customer base, even in places where retailers can legally sell marijuana. 
• Myth of safety: As mentioned earlier in this post, the legality of these products and their availability outside legal dispensaries (which highly regulated and closely supervise them) have led some consumers to believe that they are safe to use.

Dangers of Using Synthetic Cannabis

Since the term synthetic cannabis can apply to literally hundreds of different substances, one product may pose a danger quite different from the risks associated with another.

Also, since manufacturers produce these products without governmental oversight or other forms of quality control, they may list ingredients on the package that differ from what is actually in the product.

In other words, when it comes to using synthetic cannabis, it is extremely difficult to know exactly what you are putting into your body. 

Depending on which product you use, how much you use, and the conditions under which the product was manufactured, you may be exposing yourself to dangers such as:

• Headache
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Elevated or otherwise abnormal heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Kidney damage
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Coma

Products sold as synthetic weed can also have concerning psychological and cognitive effects, such as:

• Anxiety and agitation
• Confusion and disorientation
• Memory problems
• Difficulty concentrating
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Panic attacks
• Aggression

Is Synthetic Cannabis Addictive?

It is impossible to issue a blanket statement about the addiction risk of synthetic cannabis, since the products (and their ingredients) in this category can be so different. But generally speaking, yes, synthetic cannabis can be addictive.  

Someone who experiences or exhibits the following types of signs may have become addicted to fake weed:

• Powerful urges to use the substance
• Difficulty controlling the amount or frequency of their synthetic weed use
• Spending substantial amounts of time acquiring, using, and recovering from the effects of the drugs
• Failing to meet personal, academic, or work-related responsibilities due to synthetic marijuana use
• Continuing to use the substances even after experiencing some type of harm as a result of prior use
• Withdrawing from friends and family, and ending their participation in activities that used to be important to them
• Experiencing physical and/or psychological distress when they try to stop or significantly reduce their use of synthetic cannabis

Anyone with these symptoms should consult with their primary healthcare provider or an addiction treatment expert. Substance use disorders (addictions) are treatable conditions. A qualified professional assessing you can be an essential first step toward a healthier future in recovery.

Treatment for Synthetic Cannabis Addiction

Ideally, clinicians should customize treatment for addictions to synthetic cannabis or other drugs according to each patient’s unique history, needs, and goals. Factors that can influence which programs and services are right for a specific patient can include:

• Their age and gender
• How long they have been using synthetic cannabis
• If they have also been abusing or have become addicted to other substances
• Their treatment history
• If they have any co-occurring medical or mental health concerns
• How their compulsive synthetic weed abuse has impacted them
• The strength of their personal support network

When developing a synthetic cannabis addiction treatment plan, one of the first decisions usually involves level of care. Depending on factors such as those listed above, a patient may benefit most from receiving care at one or more of the following levels:

• Residential treatment
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
• Outpatient program (OP)

Within these programs, patients may benefit from a range of therapies and support services, such as:

• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Motivational enhancement therapy (MET)
• Relapse prevention education
• Neurofeedback therapy
• Experiential therapies
• Holistic therapies

If untreated trauma contributes to a patient’s synthetic weed addiction, their care may also include services such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

Finally, before they complete their time in treatment, each patient should receive a discharge plan to guide their continued progress. The contents of these plans may vary from one patient to the next, but they often include information about follow-on treatment options, community-based resources, and services such as peer support groups.

Contact Phoenix Rising Recovery to Treat Synthetic Cannabis Addiction

Phoenix Rising Recovery offers customized residential and outpatient programming for adults who have become dependent on synthetic cannabis and other addictive substances. We also offer dual diagnosis services for those who are living with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other co-occurring mental health concerns.

Our addiction treatment center in Palm Springs is a safe and highly supportive environment where you can expect to receive compassionate care from a team of highly skilled professionals. To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.

Published: 2/25/2025