Holistic Health Herbal Medicine Cannabidiol (CBD) Synthetic Cannabinoids: Dangers, Legalities, and Origins Human-created and hazardous By Adrienne Dellwo linkedin Adrienne Dellwo is an experienced journalist who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and has written extensively on the topic. Learn about our editorial process Adrienne Dellwo Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Emily Dashiell, ND on September 25, 2020 facebook linkedin Emily Dashiell, ND, is a licensed naturopathic doctor who has worked in group and private practice settings over the last 15 years. She is in private practice in Santa Monica, California. Learn about our Medical Review Board Emily Dashiell, ND Updated on October 11, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What They Are How They Work Health Effects Addiction and Overdose Legality Where They Came From Synthetic cannabinoids are human-created chemicals similar to some of those found in marijuana. They have mind-altering properties and can be smoked or vaporized, depending on the form. Hundreds of brands are on the market and a lot of people use them because they mistakenly believe they’re safe and legal. However, they’re not considered safe and many of them are illegal. This so-called fake marijuana, or fake weed, is sometimes called herbal incense or liquid incense. They are marked “not for human consumption” by manufacturers who want to avoid legal consequences for selling them. smartboy10/Getty Images What They Are The word cannabinoid refers to any of the chemicals naturally found in the cannabis plant, from which we get marijuana. The best-known natural cannabinoids are delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is what makes you high, and cannabidiol (CBD), which has numerous medicinal uses and doesn’t create a high. (The plant contains hundreds of other active compounds as well.) Synthetic cannabinoids are chemically similar to those that occur naturally in cannabis, but at this time, no standards for manufacturing or selling them exist. They’re often marketed as safe, natural, and legal alternatives to weed. However, they tend to have unpredictable effects on your body and can be significantly more dangerous than their natural cousins. Some of these effects can even be life-threatening. The people most likely to use synthetic cannabinoids are men in their 20s who use multiple drugs. Brands of synthetic cannabinoids include:K2SpiceJokerBlack MambaKushKronic Mr. HappyScooby Snax Cloud 9Mojo Many others are on the market, as well. Health Benefits of Natural Cannabinoids How They Work Your body has a system named for processing cannabinoids, and it’s called the endocannabinoid system. In that system, special brain receptors bind with the different chemicals. Synthetic cannabinoids bind with the same receptors as THC and therefore have a somewhat similar effect on the brain. However, some of the synthetics form a stronger bond, which means they produce a much stronger effect. On top of that, the chemical composition may change from brand to brand and even batch to batch of the same brand, which means the effect can be different each time you buy them. Adding significant danger, some synthetic cannabinoids are contaminated with toxic chemicals—including rat poison. Or, they can be laced other drugs, including synthetic opioids such as fentanyl or synthetic cathinone drugs like “bath salts” and “flakka.” Some people have died due to hazardous ingredients that they didn’t know were in the product. Synthetic cannabinoids are often sprayed onto dried plant material so they can be smoked, brewed into tea, or added to food. They’re also sold in liquid forms that can be vaped in e-cigarette devices. Health Effects Some of the effects of synthetic cannabinoids on your brain are similar to those of marijuana, including: RelaxationMood elevationAltered awareness and perceptionPsychosis (detachment from reality)Anxiety, which may be extremeConfusionConcentration problemsParanoiaHallucinations and delusions Additional effects of synthetic cannabinoids, some of which have landed people in the emergency room or intensive care, include: Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attack and strokeVomiting and other digestive problemsSleepinessDizzinessMuscle damageViolent behaviorThoughts of suicide The specific effects depend on the specific synthetic product, how much you take, and how long you’ve been using it. So far, doctors don’t know the long-term effects of regular use. Addiction and Overdose You can become addicted to synthetic cannabinoids and you can overdose on them. So far, we don’t know what types of addiction counseling and treatment may help people overcome this addiction. Withdrawal symptoms can include: HeadacheNausea and vomitingSevere anxietyExcessive sweatingInsomniaDepressionIrritability Symptoms of overdosing on synthetic cannabinoids are: Toxic reactionsHigh blood pressureChest painFast or irregular heart rateReduced blood supply to the heartKidney damageSeizuresUnexplained bruisingSevere bleedingDeath If you or someone you know is displaying these symptoms of overdose after using synthetic cannabinoids, get emergency help right away. While there’s no specific treatment to reverse the effects of these drugs, treatments such as oxygen, IV fluids, and medication to alleviate specific side effects (seizures, anxiety, heart palpitations) can help. Is Your Teen Abusing Synthetic Cannabinoids? Legality Many synthetic cannabinoids are against the law. The federal government has passed laws against specific chemical formulations as well as general categories of ingredients. Some states and smaller municipalities have similar laws, as well. That has not stopped their manufacture and sale, however. To skirt legal penalties, some products are called herbal incense or liquid incense and labeled “not for human consumption.” Many of those that aren’t labeled in this way are also illegal. The false claim that these products are legal may encourage some people who want to use marijuana, medicinally or legally, to try synthetics. The recent federal legalization of hemp-derived products (such as CBD) and the legalization of marijuana in some states may help confuse this issue and leave people unsure what is and isn’t legal where they live. It’s important to know the laws where you live and to make sure you’re using products that are not only legal but safe for consumption. Where They Came From Originally, synthetic cannabinoids were developed by scientists for studying the endocannabinoid system and as potential new medications. As information about these chemicals became public by scientists sharing information for research purposes, however, the information was “hijacked” by people who then developed them for illicit uses. In the United States, the first reports of harmful effects from these products came out in 2009 and the problem has continued to intensify ever since. In the first seven months of 2020, poison control centers report fielding 556 calls related to synthetic cannabinoid use. For several years, scientists working in this field have been calling for more research into the effects of synthetic cannabinoids, how they interact with each other, and what contaminants they typically contain so they can advise lawmakers in how to regulate them and doctors in how to treat people who come into emergency rooms or drug rehab clinics. A Word From Verywell In the end, regardless of their legality or what claims manufacturers make, synthetic cannabinoids are not safe for consumption. If you believe you’re addicted or know someone who may be, it’s important to seek help and stop these dangerous drugs from doing harm. The first step toward getting help is to talk to your doctor. To find a good drug rehab facility, you can utilize the resources at the Partnership to End Addiction at DrugFree.org. Help is also available at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. Recognizing Addiction Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control. Health studies—understanding chemical and radiation exposures: About synthetic cannabinoids. Updated August 21, 2017. National Institutes of Health: National Institute on Drug Abuse. Synthetic cannabinoids (K2/spice) drugfacts. Updated June 2020. Mills B, Yepes A, Nugent K. Synthetic cannabinoids. Am J Med Sci. 2015;350(1):59-62. doi:10.1097/MAJ.0000000000000466 American Association of Poison Control Centers. Synthetic cannabinoids. Updated August 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health studies—understanding chemical and radiation exposures: Synthetic cannabinoids. Updated April 24, 2018. 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