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The previous Saturday, an otherwise healthy Connor had smoked “spice” — a substance made from plants treated with chemicals that bind to the brain’s cannabinoid receptors.

The synthetic pot is thought of as a legal, untraceable way to get high, but the effect can be orders of magnitude more powerful than marijuana, said Dr. Michael Brant-Zawadzki, executive medical director of Hoag’s neurosciences institute.

Also called “K2,” spice can overwhelm brain circuitry, possibly leading to psychosis, kidney injury, high body temperature, heart attack or, as in Connor’s case, death.

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Also known as K2, spice is a mixture of herbs that’s sprayed with a chemical to produce a similar sensation to marijuana. The herbs and chemicals in spice vary, making it impossible for users to know what they’re smoking and in what concentrations. READ MORE