The zombie-drug ‘spice’ makes users significantly slower and unable to focus within just one hour, according to the first study of its kind.
Even at considerably lower doses than those taken recreationally, the controversial ‘fake cannabis’ and former ‘legal high’ makes people feel intoxicated within just 60 minutes and tired 12 hours later, the research adds, which is the first to investigate the drug’s behavioural effects in humans.
Although the study’s safety results were strong, with only fatigue and headache being reported, experts warn the dose used was exceptionally low.
Ian Hamilton, a cannabis researcher at York University, told MailOnline: ‘The low dose used in this study is unlikely to represent the dose most people are exposed to.
‘The results in this study confirm the behavioural impairments caused by spice which have become very visible in our High Streets and city centres.’
Spice, which is up to four times more potent than cannabis, was available in the UK as a ‘legal high’ less than two years ago.
Although now prohibited, the drug, which can cause anxiety, vomiting, a rapid heart rate and even seizures, is wreaking havoc on Britain’s High Streets, as well as in its prisons.
