International Data Shows Spice Use Peaks in Late Teens, Is Mostly Experimental, and Driven by Curiosity
A review of international survey data found synthetic cannabinoid use prevalence of 0.2-4% in the general population, peaking in late teens/early twenties, with most users trying it only a few times out of curiosity.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
This review compiled data from nationally and regionally representative surveys worldwide to characterize synthetic cannabinoid (Spice) use patterns.
Lifetime prevalence in the general population ranged from 0.2% to 4%. Use peaked in the late teens and early twenties and declined with age. Users were predominantly male. Limited longitudinal data suggested use was declining from its peak.
Most Spice users reported trying the substance only a small number of times, and sustained regular use was uncommon. The most frequently cited motivation was curiosity. Spice users almost universally reported extensive histories of using other substances, suggesting they are a subset of broader polysubstance users rather than a distinct population.
Interestingly, people consistently overestimated how common Spice use was among their peers, with perceived use rates significantly exceeding actual use.
Key Numbers
Lifetime prevalence: 0.2-4% in general population. Peak use: late teens/early twenties. Most users: male, tried only a few times. Primary motivation: curiosity. Users overestimate peer use. Most Spice users have extensive other substance use histories.
How They Did This
Literature review of national and international organizations and peer-reviewed publications reporting synthetic cannabinoid use in non-clinical populations. Focused on nationally and regionally representative surveys to establish population-level prevalence.
Why This Research Matters
This review provides much-needed context to the synthetic cannabinoid concern. While individual cases can be severe, population-level data shows use is generally uncommon, experimental, and transient. The finding that people overestimate peer use suggests media coverage may be amplifying perceived prevalence beyond reality.
The Bigger Picture
While synthetic cannabinoids pose real risks (as documented in clinical case reports and toxicology studies), this population-level view suggests the "Spice epidemic" framing may overstate the scope of the problem. Public health responses should be proportionate to actual prevalence rather than perceived prevalence.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Survey data may undercount Spice use. Rapid evolution of synthetic cannabinoid products makes it difficult to track specific compounds. Some surveys grouped synthetic cannabinoids with other substances. Longitudinal data was limited.
Questions This Raises
- ?Has Spice use continued to decline since this review?
- ?Why do people overestimate peer use of synthetic cannabinoids?
- ?Would correcting misperceptions of peer use reduce experimentation?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 0.2-4% lifetime prevalence; most users try Spice only a few times
- Evidence Grade:
- Review of nationally representative surveys providing robust population-level data, though limited by varying methodologies across surveys.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2016. The synthetic cannabinoid market has continued to evolve with new compounds and shifting use patterns.
- Original Title:
- International trends in spice use: Prevalence, motivation for use, relationship to other substances, and perception of use and safety for synthetic cannabinoids.
- Published In:
- Brain research bulletin, 126(Pt 1), 8-28 (2016)
- Authors:
- Loeffler, George, Delaney, Eileen, Hann, Michael
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01214
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How common is Spice use?
Representative surveys show lifetime Spice use ranges from 0.2-4% of the general population, with most users trying it only a few times. It peaks in late teens and declines with age.
Why do people try synthetic cannabinoids?
Curiosity is the most commonly reported motivation. Most users have extensive histories with other substances, suggesting Spice use occurs within broader polysubstance use patterns.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01214APA
Loeffler, George; Delaney, Eileen; Hann, Michael. (2016). International trends in spice use: Prevalence, motivation for use, relationship to other substances, and perception of use and safety for synthetic cannabinoids.. Brain research bulletin, 126(Pt 1), 8-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2016.04.013
MLA
Loeffler, George, et al. "International trends in spice use: Prevalence, motivation for use, relationship to other substances, and perception of use and safety for synthetic cannabinoids.." Brain research bulletin, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2016.04.013
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "International trends in spice use: Prevalence, motivation fo..." RTHC-01214. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/loeffler-2016-international-trends-in-spice
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.