Using Spice 2 (Source)

Spice Basics: Spices are portable buffs that can be used on demand. Using a different spice will enhance certain stats (anywhere from 1 to 6) for a specific time, followed by a downer period. You may only take one spice at a time. Spices are created by smugglers.

Effects of Spice: Each spice has a list of attributes that are enhanced and a duration. For example, say you have a spice that increases Health by +100 for 400 seconds. When you take the spice, your current and maximum Health both increase by 100 points, and will remain that way for 400 seconds.

The Downer: After the spice has run its course, the downer kicks in. The effect of this is to REDUCE the stat that was buffed by the same amount that it was increased. So, in the last example, your maximum and current Health will decrease by 100. Downers last for one-third of the active time. The most important thing to remember is this. Strong spice = bad downer.

Secondary Stat Spice Usage: I hope to really open some eyes on how some of the spices other than Muon Gold or Neutron Pixie can be used. Remeber that the downer only effects the stats that are initially effected by the spice itself. Therefore, if your spice only effects secondary stats, you will NEVER be incapped by the spice directly. It also doesn't lower your HAM pools at all, so you will never take a whole bunch of "damage" when the downer kicks in. This is key - if the spice you are using only effects Focus, for instance, just don't use any Mind specials during the downer, and spam them like crazy during the upper. Effective, isn't it?? Most people have had bad experiences with spice because the 1000 Health or 500 Mind damage they take when the downer kicks in flattens them. Muon and Neutron aren't the only spices around.

Doctor and Chef Buffs as Related to Spice: Doctor Buffs are better than spices on the stats they affect. Get them if you can. If you aren't a Doctor yourself, though, spices are much easier to find and use. Please remember that spice does stack with any and all Doctor or Chef food buffs as well. Making them completely complimentary.

Monitoring the Spice timers: There is now a buff window as of Publish 6. In here you can monitor the Active Time remaining on your spice, as well as the time remaining for your downer to go away, when it comes to that. A very useful addition, so please keep an eye on it.