Half fake baked

Consumers interested in experimenting with the legally "murky" world of synthetic drugs typically have two options, says MindHack: synthetic cannabinoids (vegetable fibers or plant leaves sprayed with manufactured chemicals that mimic the effect of weed) or stimulants like bath salts (made from synthetic cathinone.)

However, a new study on synthetic cannabinoids from Forensic Science International found a sample that contained both an untested type of synthetic cannabinoid and a "cathinone derivative." What's more, researchers found that a chemical reaction between those substances created "an unknown compound."

According to the abstract:

It is of interest that the product of a reaction between two different types of designer drugs, namely, a cannabinoid-related designer drug and a cathinone-type designer drug, was found in one illegal product.

MindHack puts it in plainer terms:

"In other words, while the makers intended to put both a cannabinoid and a stimulant in the same product, they probably never knew that the substances had chemically combined to produce a hybrid compound with completely unknown properties.

The legal high market is becoming an informal opt-in drug-testing experiment with paying subjects."

Just remember, kids: side effects may vary.

(h/t Digg via @Mims)