Around a month and a half ago, my friend introduced to a new drug i hadn’t experimented with called spice. We went outside for a smoke and i treated the substance like marijuana. With it being “synthetic marijuana” i assumed that would be appropriate. Easy to say i overdosed. 5-10 minutes after we smoked my legs began to get numb. I was freaking out. The numbness continued to move upward and eventually i became limp(fainted). All i remember was thinking i was going to die. The worst expirence of my life.i kept telling myself breath you will live. I woke up feeling dizzy and light-headed. Those symptoms went away but now all i think about is somethjng being wrong. I feel like my vision is messed up, way to hard to describe. Sometimes only my eyes zone out where i can still do task but my eyes are focused on one thing. It hasnt impaired my memory and at times i believe my memory to have increase. I have relatively small panic attacks with a few larger ones mainly occuring when im bored, alone, or getting ready for bed. Am i ok? Is this some stress related issue? Am i tricking myself into thinking something is wrong? I look up a few symptoms to make me feel better and it only makes me think i had a stroke, seizure, brain trauma, etc. i find myself wondering if i will ever be normal again. I’m scared that i will go insane or disconnect myself from society or something crazy like that. Please help.
According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), K2 or “spice” has the same psychoactive properties as marijuana, which is categorized as a hallucinogenic drug. Psychological effects of “spice” include paranoia, panic attacks and giddiness. Some users report extreme anxiety and hallucinations. Physiologically, those who ingest spice may experience an increased heart rate and an increase in blood pressure. It can also reduce blood flow to the heart and heart attacks have been reported in a few cases. The long-term effects on the body are unknown.
It is important to understand that illicit drug use is never “appropriate.” Many people have negative experiences with drugs. A common experience after using drugs is the development of frightening psychological side effects. The user worries that the drugs have caused permanent damage and they wonder if they will ever return to their pre-drug use, psychological state. In some cases, they don’t and the damage is permanent. Simply put, drugs are dangerous.
I cannot determine if something is “wrong.” If you continue to experience concerning symptoms, then you should be evaluated by a physician or a mental health professional. The health care professional with whom you would meet cannot “turn you in” for having used “spice” in the past. Many states have banned “spice” and have made it a misdemeanor to buy, sell or possess the drug.
Finally, learn a lesson from this experience. The lesson to be learned is that drug use is dangerous and it has the potential to permanently alter your psychological state of being and psychological health. There is no safe drug use. Many people who use drugs are permanently damaged. That may sound dramatic but it is the truth. Please take care.
Dr. Kristina Randle
