Annihilation is brand of  illegal, herbal smoking mixture that contains a synthetic form of cannabis. It became Class B in February 2013. It is much stronger than normal cannabis (including skunk). It can give a short intense hallucinatory trip. It is not often causes people to feel very unwell after taking it. Even experienced skunk smokers find this drug an overwhelming experience. There have been many media reports of hospitalisation following bad reactions.

The chemicals in Annihilation and other synthetic cannabis substitutes are designed to copy the effects of THC, one of the active ingredients in cannabis. The labelling usually states “herbal incense” and “not for human consumption” on the packet.  It is legal to possess and supply at present. It costs about £10 a gram from internet sites and headshops. Some chose it because they know it will not show up on any drug test.

Effects

It is an extremely powerful drug to smoke and the high is intense and trippy. It may only take one or two ‘tokes’ to get the full effect and almost immediately you will be unable to converse very easily. The peak of the high may fade after 30 minutes or perhaps an hour. Some reports of vomiting and headaches. Some may lose good control over their limbs and feel dizzy, paranoid and there is a risk of panic attack.

Harms

There have been no studies carried out on Annihilation so it is impossible to say what its harms are in the longer term. But any drug which is smoked, with or without tobacco is harmful. The experience of smoking this drug involves holding in unknown chemicals in your lungs.

A trippy experience can be very disturbing and people are vulnerable to self injury from falling over. Addiction or overdose do not appear to be problems associated with Annihilation but some have been reported to be hospitalised for a short period. Powerful psychoactive drugs like this will exacerbate any existing mental health problems.

The Law

Many synthetic forms of cannabis, like Annihilation, are class B drugs which means they are illegal to possess and supply.