Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2026

Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Cannabidiolic Acid from Cannabis Biomass
Published on: May 27, 2022
Metabolism of classical cannabinoids and the synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018
M K Su1, K A Seely2, J H Moran2,3
1Division of Medical Toxicology, Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Abstract:
Although the putative pharmacological targets of synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs) abused in "K2" and "Spice" are similar to Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9) -THC), it remains unclear why SCB toxicity is similar yet different from marijuana. There are obvious potency and efficacy differences, but also important metabolic differences that help explain the unique adverse reactions associated with SCBs. This brief review discusses the limited research on the metabolism of the SCB JWH-018 and contrasts that with the metabolism of Δ(9) -THC.
Related Concept Videos
What is Metabolism?
Regulation of Metabolism
Drug Biotransformation: Overview
Drug Metabolism: Phase I Reactions
Drug Metabolism: Phase II Reactions
Drug Biotransformation: Overview

