The Synthetic Cannabinoids Phenomenon

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Toxicology
• Public Health

Background:

• Synthetic cannabinoids, marketed as "Spice," are prevalent new psychoactive substances mimicking cannabis effects.
• These substances are widely available online and rapidly evolve, with over 134 types reported by 2014.
• Their use is increasing among adolescents and young adults, posing a growing public health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review available data on the human use and effects of synthetic cannabinoids.
• To highlight the public health impact of synthetic cannabinoid abuse.
• To identify research gaps and guide future investigations.

Main Methods:

• Literature search conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar, Erowid Center, and governmental websites.
• Search terms included "synthetic cannabinoids," "spice," "new psychoactive substances," "substance use disorder," "adverse effects," and "fatalities."
• Literature review focused on publications from 2005 to 2016.

Main Results:

• Synthetic cannabinoids are frequently full agonists at the CB1 receptor and do not contain tobacco or cannabis.
• A high incidence of adverse effects and numerous fatalities associated with their use have been documented.
• Despite widespread use, limited scientific evidence exists regarding their effects in humans.

Conclusions:

• The increasing popularity and documented harms of synthetic cannabinoids necessitate urgent public health action.
• Further systematic epidemiological studies are crucial to understand the full impact of these substances.
• Development of screening procedures and investigation into neurobiological and psychological factors are essential for addressing synthetic cannabinoid misuse.