Spice, K2 send users to ER

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - It appears that a growing number of people between the ages of 15 and 30 are using Spice, but few are admitting to it.

Spice, and the related cannabinoid substance known as K2, can be found at gas stations or tobacco stores legally as incense. Warning labels state that K2 is not intended for human consumption but emergency room doctors said some people are ignoring that warning.

Jill Grant is an emergency room physician at St. Elizabeth Central. She said she has seen an increase in the number of Spice-related cases.

"In the last couple of weeks I've probably seen a half-dozen patients with symptoms that could potentially be related to them," said Grant.

Dr. Grant said people ignore the warning because they are looking for a legal high.

"A lot of people are looking for the highs they would get with marijuana. Sometimes a legal high can provide users with relaxation from it. Sometimes they can have relief from pain. So they will ignore warnings because they are looking for the euphoric feelings that they get as a result of using," said Grant.

She said the patients that come all complain of similar symptoms.

"Typically people will come in tachycardia, which is an elevated heart rate. They will come in and they are sweaty. Their blood pressure will be higher. I've actually had patients that are hallucinating. I've had individuals who have had seizures are a result as well," said Grant.

Long-term use can cause permanent harm to the body.

"If you end up having damage to your heart because your heart goes out of rhythm. If it beats too fast it can cause strain on the heart. It can cause seizures. Seizures can cause long-term problems with brain function. You can have a stroke and be paralyzed. It can have long-term detriments to your life. You can even die if you have seizures that are uncontrolled or do not have medical care before that time," said Grant.

She added emergency physicians rely heavily on people admitting that they ingested Spice so they can give proper medical treatment.