Synthetic cannabis is a designer drug, also known as synthetic cannabinoids.
As a contemporary psychoactive substance, it aims to mimic the effects of cannabis use since around 2014.
Synthetic cannabis can have more negative side effects than pure cannabis, as it’s usually sold in the form of powdered chemicals. These chemicals are then mixed with solvents, similar to street-sold drugs, and then sprayed and applied onto herbs.
They can also be sold in the form of liquids, or solids to be smoked, either in vaporisers or like marijuana.
This is then coloured and sold, but every batch depends on its author and creator so can have different effects and consequences. The earliest type of synthetic cannabis was spice and ‘K2’, but they can also be produced as types of tea or herbal incense.
The chemicals used are similar to that of marijuana and are often falsely advertised as the safe version or cannabis. As per anything synthetic, the effects can be completely unknown.
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are a new group of drugs, therefore unregulated. Synthetic cannabis is sold in very colourful packaging to appeal to their target market, and are often sold under a variety of different names.
Due to their addictive and unregulated qualities, they are illegal to possess, sell and buy. As we know, this doesn’t prevent their existence in the market.
Synthetic cannabis is active regarding brain cell receptors. This is synonymous with the key ingredient in marijuana, THC.
A study by Livny and Weinstein studied the effects of synthetic cannabis on brain structure and function. The study found an overall reduction in ‘grey matter volume’ and ‘impairment in the neural brain mechanisms’. These mechanisms are vital for the memory components of the brain.
Grey matter holds the majority of neuronal cells of the brain. Grey matter in the brain involves the control of:
Grey matter plays a hugely significant role in ‘normal’ brain functioning. The reduction of this matter in users suggests they become vulnerable to loss of memory retention and irregularity of emotions and movement.
A further study by Cohen et al also suggests that the use of synthetic cannabis is heavily associated with memory impairment and lack of mental flexibility.
They found that using synthetic cannabis is directly concerned with mood disorders and brain function impairment. This can lead to depression and occasional psychotic symptoms where emotional processing is weakened.
They tested: (all without a history of mental disorder or substance abuse diagnosis)
The tests included emotional recognition tasks, neurocognitive functioning tests and depression and anxiety questionnaires, among others. Cohen et al found that all synthetic cannabis users performed worse than non-users in the memory and cognitive flexibility tests. Further, users portrayed more mental disorder traits and symptoms, opposed to non-users.
They concluded that using synthetic cannabis is ‘associated with impairment’ regarding functioning and emotional processing. This adds evidence to the consequences of synthetic use and risks for ill mental health.
Users of synthetic cannabis report similar effects to regular cannabis:
Synthetic cannabis can be highly addictive and dangerous when mixed with cut chemicals. It is also possible to overdose. Signs of overdosing include:
An article written for a public health blog introduces the psychoactive ingredients in synthetic cannabis.
The main ingredient in cannabis that affects the brain is THC (CB1 and CB2). Synthetic cannabis has additional ingredients such as:
These compounds that are added are the catalyst for the psychoactive effect of synthetic cannabis. There have been over 200 types of synthetic cannabis. This wide variety of compounds is a direct result of an irregular production process, lack of regulations and the everlasting attempt to stay out of the legal pursuit.
One of the earliest detected compounds found in synthetic cannabis was JWH-O18. This has tenfold more affinity for CB receptors, specifically C2. As an aminoalkylindole, the ingredient produces cannabimimetic effects, mimicking the body’s naturally produced hormones.
Spice is a mix of shredded plant material and mind-altering chemicals. 4 Most people roll spice in paper-like ‘rollie’s’ as cigarettes, and is sometimes mixed with cannabis.
Due to spice being relatively new to the market, research regarding its effect of the brain is relatively low. The chemicals that have been found in batches of spice seem to attach to similar, if not the same, nerve cell receptors as THC.
However, some of the chemicals attach more strongly than those found in THC. This leads to stronger effects and therefore more consequences.
Taking spice can come with scary side effects such as:
Spice can be very addictive, leading to withdrawal symptoms including:
In its pure form, synthetic cannabis is highly addictive. The highs are immediate after the drug is administered, usually by smoking. The effects typically last around 1-3 hours, but everyone’s body will react differently when variables such as tolerance and weight are considered.
What one person may consider a moderate-high, might send another person into a state of psychosis and overdrive. There have been reports of synthetic cannabis causing immediate death, so be overly cautious if you are administering this drug.
If you are questioning whether you, or a loved one is addicted to drugs, it’s possible the answer is yes. If you find yourself thinking about administering all the time, going out of your way to get it, and find the other aspects of your life losing their flare, it might be time to reach out.
Addicts are generally defined as one’s inability to stop yourself using a specific drug or alcohol and engaging in addictive behaviours. Obsessive and intrusive thoughts often occur, and users tend to isolate themselves in order to use more but remain undetected.
Changes in mood and appetite are overly common, whilst they remain in denial and engage in high risk-taking behaviours that can lead to financial, mental, physical and social issues.
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
