Increase in teenage psychosis cases linked to vapes laced with spice

Psychiatrist Dr Hilary Reed warns that in the last two years, the number of people she’s treating with psychosis has increased from one or two a year to 10, Good Morning Britain Correspondent Amelia Beckett reports

An NHS psychiatrist has told Good Morning Britain a huge increase in teenage psychosis cases is likely to be linked to vapes laced with the ‘zombie drug’ spice.

Dr Hilary Reed works in the north of England and usually treats one or two cases of psychosis a year but in 2025 that jumped to 10 cases.

“It does appear that there’s an association between vapes containing spice and psychotic illness”, she said

“We can’t definitely say this is causative but the evidence does suggest these vapes are a huge issue that definitely needs more research because my concern here is are we seeing the beginning of what could be a nationwide increase in psychosis among young people.”

Spice is a synthetic drug designed to mimic the effects of cannabis. However these unregulated, highly potent chemicals are extremely dangerous, unpredictable, and very addictive.

They are now making their way into vapes products sold to teenagers badged as containing cannabis, where in many cases drug dealers actually use spice because it is much cheaper.

Research from the University of Bath found that up to one in four vapes confiscated from schools now contain the drug.

At Wales High School in Rotherham the headteacher has resorted to installing vape sensors in a number of toilets to try and crack down on the issue.

“In the last couple of years we’ve seen vaping take off so much, cigarettes are no longer an issue and we had to keep up,” Lisa McCall said.

“These teenagers can buy them so easily and many try to vape on school premises.”

We have had cases with students giving each other vapes where they don’t know what is in them but we suspect it has been spice.

“In one particular case a student had to go to hospital and we had to permanently exclude a number of pupils which is a step we don’t usually take but this is such a serious issue.”

A government spokesperson said: “These vapes are illegal. Selling them can get you up to 14 years in prison.

“That’s why we continue to work with enforcement agencies like Trading Standards to crack down on illegal and underage sale of tobacco and vapes, backed by £30 million in funding.”

“To make sure every young person gets the support they need, we’re investing a record £16.1 billion in NHS mental health services.

“We are expanding support in schools and colleges, focusing on earlier intervention and better access.”