Spice drugs are more than harmless herbal blends: a review of the pharmacology and toxicology of synthetic cannabinoids
TLDR
A review of the legal status of common synthetic cannabinoids detected in Spice and analytical procedures used to test Spice products and human specimens collected under a variety of clinical circumstances is provided in this paper.Abstract:
“K2” and “Spice” drugs (collectively hereafter referred to as Spice) represent a relatively new class of designer drugs that have recently emerged as popular alternatives to marijuana, otherwise characterized as “legal highs”. These drugs are readily available on the Internet and sold in many head shops and convenience stores under the disguise of innocuous products like herbal blends, incense, or air fresheners. Although package labels indicate “not for human consumption”, the number of intoxicated people presenting to emergency departments is dramatically increasing. The lack of validated and standardized human testing procedures and an endless supply of potential drugs of abuse are primary reasons why researchers find it difficult to fully characterize clinical consequences associated with Spice. While the exact chemical composition and toxicology of Spice remains to be determined, there is mounting evidence identifying several synthetic cannabinoids as causative agents responsible for psychoactive and adverse physical effects. This review provides updates of the legal status of common synthetic cannabinoids detected in Spice and analytical procedures used to test Spice products and human specimens collected under a variety of clinical circumstances. The pharmacological and toxicological consequences of synthetic cannabinoid abuse are also reviewed to provide a future perspective on potential short- and long-term implications.read more
Citations
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A systematic review of adverse events arising from the use of synthetic cannabinoids and their associated treatment
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Gone to Pot - A Review of the Association between Cannabis and Psychosis.
TL;DR: The evidence indicates that cannabis may be a component cause in the emergence of psychosis, and this warrants serious consideration from the point of view of public health policy.
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Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines: A Comprehensive Update of Evidence and Recommendations
Benedikt Fischer,Cayley Russell,Pamela Sabioni,Wim van den Brink,Bernard Le Foll,Wayne Hall,Jürgen Rehm,Robin Room +7 more
TL;DR: Evidence indicates that a substantial extent of the risk of adverse health outcomes from cannabis use may be reduced by informed behavioral choices among users, and evidence-based Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines serve as a population-level education and intervention tool to inform such user choices toward improved public health outcomes.
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Spicing things up: synthetic cannabinoids
TL;DR: There is an urgent need for better research on the effects of synthetic cannabinoids to help clinicians manage adverse events and to better understand cannabinoid pharmacology in humans.
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Distinct pharmacology and metabolism of K2 synthetic cannabinoids compared to Δ9-THC: Mechanism underlying greater toxicity?
TL;DR: Evidence reported in this mini-review suggests that K2 products are neither safe nor legal alternatives to marijuana, and suggests that distinct pharmacological properties and metabolism of SCBs relative to Δ(9)-THC may contribute to the observed toxicity.
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