Synthetic cannabinoids

Synthetic cannabinoids (/sɪnˈθɛtɪk kænəˈbɪnɔɪdz/) are a class of molecules that bind to the same receptors to which cannabinoids in cannabis plants attach. They are designer drugs, commonly sprayed onto plant matter and are usually smoked, although they have also been consumed in a concentrated liquid form in the US and UK since 2016. They have been marketed as herbal incense, or "herbal smoking blends", and sold under common names like K2, Spice, and Synthetic Marijuana. They are often labeled "not for human consumption" for liability defense.

Etymology

The term "synthetic cannabinoids" refers to the synthetic versions of the naturally occurring cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. The term was first used in the 1980s when scientists began creating synthetic forms of THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis.

Related Terms

Cannabinoids: The group of chemical compounds that act on cannabinoid receptors in cells that alter neurotransmitter release in the brain.
Cannabis: A genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae. The number of species within the genus is disputed.
Receptors: A protein molecule that receives and responds to neurotransmitters, hormones, or other substances.
Molecules: The smallest particle in a chemical element or compound that has the chemical properties of that element or compound.

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Synthetic cannabinoids