Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists (SCRAs)
Philippe Pfeifer, Katharina Elisabeth Grafinger
New Psychoactive Substances June 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1093/med/9780190095697.003.0006 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key findings | SCRAs pose higher pharmacological and toxicological risk than Δ9-THC, with reported symptoms including tachycardia, nausea, epileptic seizures, and fatal intoxications, and they often evade detection by common preliminary immunoassays. The authors state that evidence on chronic use and long-term harms is scarce, though cardiovascular, renal, and liver effects can be expected, and they recommend referring long-term users to specialized addiction treatment, particularly programs focused on cannabis use disorders. |
Abstract
Abstract Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs), originally developed for biomedical research purposes, are now one of the biggest classes of new psychoactive substances (NPS). Due to their higher binding affinity and activity to the cannabinoid receptors, compared to Δ9-THC, they pose a higher pharmacological and toxicological risk for consumers. Different intoxication symptoms (e.g., tachycardia, nausea, epileptic seizure) as well as fatal intoxications have been reported following SCRA consumption. SCRAs often cannot be detected with commonly used preliminary immunoassays. The management of acute SCRA intoxication is mostly symptom based (e.g., intravenous fluids, benzodiazepines). Literature on chronic SCRA use and long-term adverse health effects is scarce but cardiovascular, renal, and liver long-term adverse effects can be expected. Furthermore, long-time SCRA use can negatively impact the mental health of consumers. Long-term SCRA users seeking treatment should ideally be referred to specialized addiction treatment programs, particularly those focused on treating cannabis use disorders.