Synthetic Cannabinoids: A Pharmacological and Toxicological Overview.
R. Roque-Bravo, Rafaela Sofia Silva, R. Malheiro, Helena Carmo, Félix Carvalho, Diana Dias Da Silva, J. Silva
The Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology August 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-031122-113758 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key findings | Synthetic cannabinoids produce effects similar to but more intense than cannabis and have dominated the new psychoactive substances market in the United States and Europe over the past decade. The authors argue that rising synthetic cannabinoid-related intoxications and deaths are a major public health concern, and that thorough characterization of their pharmacodynamics and toxicodynamics is needed to understand acute and chronic effects, interpret clinical and pathological findings, and improve risk awareness. |
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are a chemically diverse group of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) that target the endocannabinoid system, triggering a plethora of actions (e.g., elevated mood sensation, relaxation, appetite stimulation) that resemble, but are more intense than, those induced by cannabis. Although some of these effects have been explored for therapeutic applications, anticipated stronger psychoactive effects than cannabis and reduced risk perception have increased the recreational use of SCs, which have dominated the NPS market in the United States and Europe over the past decade. However, rising SC-related intoxications and deaths represent a major public health concern and embody a major challenge for policy makers. Here, we review the pharmacology and toxicology of SCs. A thorough characterization of SCs' pharmacodynamics and toxicodynamics is important to better understand the main mechanisms underlying acute and chronic effects of SCs, interpret the clinical/pathological findings related to SC use, and improve SC risk awareness. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Volume 63 is January 2023. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.