A November 20, 2013, article on the website
redOrbit highlighted the results of a
University of Southern Florida (USF) study that discovered a link between
smoking synthetic marijuana and stroke occurrence in healthy young adults. The
results, published in the academic journal
Neurology, focused on case studies of two siblings
who had both experienced strokes shortly after smoking Spice, an herbal mixture
containing potentially dangerous synthetic cannabinoids (
Link Between Synthetic Marijuana And Stroke - Health News - redOrbit).
Prior to experiencing strokes, both siblings, a brother and
a sister, smoked Spice containing the schedule I synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018.
Brain imaging of the siblings showed blood vessel abnormalities consistent with
reports of adverse cardiac events associated with Spice use, such as myocardial
infarction and tachyarrhythmia.
Researchers ruled out any undiagnosed genetic conditions as
potential causes of the strokes. “We rigorously looked for those [undiagnosed
genetic conditions] and didn’t come up with anything,” commented Dr. Scott
Burgin, senior author of the study and USF professor, and director of the Comprehensive
Stroke Center at Tampa General Hospital.
The researchers
suggested that an unknown toxin or contaminant may have induced the strokes both
siblings experienced. According to Dr.Burgin, using synthetic cannabinoid products
such as Spice and K2, pose greater health risks than using natural marijuana, because they often contain unknown, potentially dangerous adulterants. “You
don’t know what you’re getting when you smoke synthetic marijuana… you may be
playing dangerously with your brain and your health.”
Cerilliant offers certified Snap-N-Spike® solutions for
numerous Spice cannabinoids from single-component standards and multi mixes
containing HU-210, JWH-018, JWH-073, HU-211, JWH-200, JWH-250, JWH-019,
JWH-081, JWH-122, AM2201, (±)-CP 47, 497 and its C8
homologue to hydroxy (both omega and omega-1) and carboxylic acid
metabolites as well as stable-labeled internal standards. These certified
reference solutions are suitable in LC/MS or GC/MS testing methods for
applications in urine drug testing, clinical toxicology, pharmaceutical
research, and forensic analysis.
Cerilliant reference standards are
manufactured and certified to the highest industry standards including ISO
Guide 34, ISO/IEC 17025, and ISO 13485. Each Certified Spiking Solution® is
supported by a comprehensive Certificate of Analysis (COA) that provides all
analytical data and uncertainty and traceability information to support
regulatory requirements. Click on the link below to view our complete listing
of Spice cannabinoid reference standards: