Synthetic Cannabinoids

Home ] [ Glossary ] [ Controlled Substances ]


DRUG

Synthetic Cannabinoids

Synthetic cannabinoids are human-made mind-altering chemicals that are either sprayed on dried, shredded plant material so they can be smoked or sold as liquids to be vaporized and inhaled in e-cigarettes and other devices. These products are also known as herbal or liquid incense.

These chemicals are called cannabinoids because they are similar to chemicals found in the marijuana plant. Because of this similarity, synthetic cannabinoids are sometimes misleadingly called "synthetic marijuana" (or "fake weed"), and they are often marketed as safe, legal alternatives to that drug. In fact, they are not safe and may affect the brain much more powerfully than marijuana; their actual effects can be unpredictable and, in some cases, more dangerous or even life-threatening.

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

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.

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. Chemical 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

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.

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

Drugabuse.gov
  Excerpt from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/synthetic-cannabinoids-k2spice

We made a separate page for almost all the synthetic cannabinoids: https://www.nonpsychotoxic.com/substances/synthetic-cannabinoids.php


Potential Related Terms:
THC | Cannabis | Cannabinoid Receptors

PERMALINK https://www.nonpsychotoxic.com/definition.php?term=synthetic-cannabinoids


Home ] [ Glossary ] [ Controlled Substances ]

Synthetic Cannabinoids