How a 14-year-old boy became addicted to Spice through vapes

What was actually in the vape was a synthetic cannabinoid, a lab-made drug, external intended to mimic the effects of cannabis.

“After using it [Spice] for a while, I realised the effects of real THC would be different,” says Ben.

“I don’t know why I didn’t realise this sooner but the colour was very artificial – bright blue or red – obviously that’s not from a plant.”

His testimony comes as a new report finds one in six vapes, external tested across 38 schools in England contain Spice.

The drug can be more harmful and unpredictable, external than cannabis and can cause dizziness, breathing problems, heart palpitations, psychosis and seizures.

Ben, who is now 16, says he was lucky not to have any immediate adverse reaction, although very little is known about the long-term effects of Spice use, particularly in children.

“I found myself doing it every second of the day,” he says.

“I’d be like ‘oh, you’re not as high as you were 10 minutes ago’, so I’d have another bit.”

He says he used his vape everywhere, including in classrooms at school.