Synthetic cannabinoids

Synthetic cannabinoids, as the name indicates, are artificially manufactured chemicals that resemble chemicals from the plant cannabis.

Big list

There is a growing number of human-made mind-altering chemicals sprayed on dried, shredded plant material or vaporized to produce a high.

History

Synthetic cannabinoids were first synthesized in the 1980s and 1990s for research purposes, with the aim of understanding the cannabinoid system in the human body and potentially developing new therapeutic drugs. In the early 2000s, these compounds started appearing as recreational drugs, often sold as herbal smoking blends or as powders that can be dissolved in liquid.

Synthetic marijuana

Sometimes called synthetic marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids are sometimes misleadingly called synthetic marijuana (or fake weed) because they act on the same brain cell receptors as THC, the mind-altering ingredient in marijuana.

Effects on brain

• The effects of synthetic cannabinoids can be unpredictable and severe or even life-threatening.
• The only parts of synthetic cannabinoid products that are natural are the dried plant materials.
• Chemicals tests show that their active ingredients are human-made cannabinoid compounds.

Synthetic cannabinoid users report some effects similar to those produced by marijuana:

• elevated mood
• relaxation
• altered perception
• symptoms of psychosis

Health problems

Synthetic cannabinoids can also cause serious mental and physical health problems including:

• rapid heart rate
• vomiting
• violent behavior
• suicidal thoughts
• Synthetic cannabinoids can be addictive.

Behavior therapy

Behavioral therapies and medications have not specifically been tested for treatment of addiction to these products.

Overdosing

Overdoses can occur and can cause:

• toxic reactions
• raised blood pressure
• reduced blood supply to the heart
• kidney damage
• seizures

Risk of death

Deaths can occur when dangerous synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, are added without the user knowing.

Legal Status

Many countries have implemented measures to regulate or ban the sale and possession of synthetic cannabinoids. In the United States, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has classified many synthetic cannabinoids as Schedule I controlled substances, meaning they are considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. However, due to the rapid development of new synthetic cannabinoid compounds, legislation struggles to keep pace with the market, and new, unregulated substances continue to emerge.

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