Fascination and Social Togetherness-Discussions about Spice Smoking on a Swedish Internet Forum.
Anette Kjellgren, Helena Henningsson, Christophe Soussan
Substance abuse : research and treatment 2013 DOI: 10.4137/sart.s13323 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 40 |
| Population | Swedish internet forum users who posted reports about Spice intoxication |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Internet forum Spice Intoxication |
| Citations | 37 |
| Key findings | Spice intoxication among young Swedish users involves both positive and negative effects, and despite fears and unpleasant physical effects, the experience is often considered fascinating and rewarding. |
Abstract
Spice is a smoking mixture containing synthetic cannabinoids with psychoactive effects similar to herbal cannabis. It is sold on the Internet and has become popular among young people. The purpose of the present study was to investigate experiences of intoxication induced by Spice, as described on a Swedish internet-based discussion forum. A systematic search yielded 40 reports, which were analyzed using phenomenological method. A total of 7 themes (composed of 27 categories) emerged from the analysis: 1. Spice use as social ritual; 2. Social secretiveness; 3. Intoxication remarks; 4. Well-being and elation; 5. Altered perception of reality; 6. Fears and coping; 7. Unpleasant physical effects. The results show that smoking was a social activity mostly carried out in small peer-groups, and that the substances induced strong intoxication with both positive and negative effects. Despite fears and unpleasant effects, the intoxication was often considered fascinating and rewarding.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychoactive substances as a last resort—a qualitative study of self-treatment of migraine and cluster headaches Users of online forums discussing cluster headache and migraine treatments | 2017 | Qualitative thematic analysis | |
| Psychoactive drug or mystical incense? Overview of the online available information on Spice products Web pages related to Spice products | 2009 | Qualitative study | n = 200 |
| Patterns, Trends, and Meanings of Drug Use by Dance-drug Users in Edinburgh, Scotland Clubbers in clubs and pre-club bars | 2004 | Cross-sectional survey with focus groups | n = 124 |
| Cannabis as entheogen: survey and interview data on the spiritual use of cannabis. Participants recruited from seven online communities, median age 33, 81% male | 2020 | Mixed methods (qualitative interviews and quantitative survey) | n = 319 |
| Cannabis, Consciousness, and Healing Seriously and terminally ill medical marijuana patients affiliated with the Wo/Men's... | 2007 | Qualitative study | n = 36 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- Psychoactive substances as a last resort—a qualitative study of self-treatment of migraine and cluster headaches Harm Reduction Journal September 4, 2017
- Synthetic Cannabinoids: Psychopharmacology, Clinical Aspects, Psychotic Onset CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets April 17, 2017
- Twenty percent better with 20 micrograms? A qualitative study of psychedelic microdosing self-rapports and discussions on YouTube Harm Reduction Journal November 28, 2019
- Automedicación con uso recreativo: Análisis de discusiones en foros de una comunidad virtual African journal of rhetoric July 26, 2022
- Self-Experiments with Psychoactive Substances: A Historical Perspective. Handbook of experimental pharmacology 2018
and 4 more in the library
Cites 10
- Beyond THC: The New Generation of Cannabinoid Designer Drugs Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 2011
- “Spiceophrenia”: a systematic overview of “Spice”‐related psychopathological issues and a case report Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental July 1, 2013
- Hallucinogenic Drugs and Plants in Psychotherapy and Shamanism Journal of Psychoactive Drugs December 1, 1998
- Psychoactive drug or mystical incense? Overview of the online available information on Spice products International Journal of Culture and Mental Health December 1, 2009
- Methoxetamine (MXE) – A Phenomenological Study of Experiences Induced by a “Legal High” from the Internet Journal of Psychoactive Drugs July 1, 2013
and 5 more in the library