Synthetic cannabinoid users report worse withdrawal, faster tolerance, and harder dose control than natural cannabis users
Among 284 frequent synthetic cannabinoid users, withdrawal averaged 4.4 symptoms, with sleep issues, irritability, and low mood most common, and users rated synthetic cannabinoids as having faster onset, shorter duration, faster tolerance, and more severe withdrawal than high-potency natural cannabis.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Users reported a mean of 4.4 withdrawal symptoms after 1+ day without SCRAs. Most frequent: sleep issues (59.2%), irritability (55.6%), low mood (54.2%). Higher SCRA use frequency and quantity predicted more withdrawal symptoms. Compared to high-potency cannabis, SCRAs had faster onset, shorter duration of effects, faster tolerance development, and more severe withdrawal (all p<0.001).
Key Numbers
N=284; mean 4.4 withdrawal symptoms; sleep issues 59.2%; irritability 55.6%; low mood 54.2%. Frequency >51x/year: IRR=1.43 for symptoms. Greater grams/session: IRR=1.13.
How They Did This
Global Drug Survey data (2015-2016) from 284 people reporting SCRA use >10 times in the past year, a previous quit attempt, and lifetime high-potency cannabis use. 11-item withdrawal checklist and comparative ratings of SCRAs vs. natural cannabis.
Why This Research Matters
Synthetic cannabinoids are often used by people who cannot access or afford natural cannabis. Understanding their worse withdrawal profile is crucial for treatment planning in this vulnerable population.
The Bigger Picture
The worse withdrawal and faster tolerance profile of synthetic cannabinoids compared to natural cannabis supports the argument that these substances pose substantially greater dependence risk, consistent with their higher potency at CB1 receptors.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Self-selected online survey sample. Retrospective self-report of withdrawal. Cannot verify specific SCRA products used. Comparison to high-potency cannabis is subjective. No clinical verification of withdrawal.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would medical-grade cannabis help manage SCRA withdrawal?
- ?Does the faster tolerance drive users to escalate doses dangerously?
- ?Should SCRA withdrawal be managed differently from cannabis withdrawal?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- SCRAs: faster onset, faster tolerance, more severe withdrawal than cannabis
- Evidence Grade:
- Large self-selected online survey with useful comparative data, but no clinical verification.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022 using 2015-2016 survey data.
- Original Title:
- Clinical withdrawal symptom profile of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists and comparison of effects with high potency cannabis.
- Published In:
- Psychopharmacology, 239(5), 1349-1357 (2022)
- Authors:
- Craft, Sam(5), Ferris, Jason A, Barratt, Monica J(3), Maier, Larissa J, Lynskey, Michael T, Winstock, Adam R, Freeman, Tom P
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03774
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Are synthetic cannabinoid withdrawals worse than cannabis withdrawals?
Users in this study rated synthetic cannabinoids as having significantly more severe withdrawal than high-potency natural cannabis. Synthetic users also developed tolerance faster and found doses harder to control.
What are the most common synthetic cannabinoid withdrawal symptoms?
Sleep problems (59.2%), irritability (55.6%), and low mood (54.2%) were most commonly reported. On average, users experienced 4.4 withdrawal symptoms after just one day without use.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03774APA
Craft, Sam; Ferris, Jason A; Barratt, Monica J; Maier, Larissa J; Lynskey, Michael T; Winstock, Adam R; Freeman, Tom P. (2022). Clinical withdrawal symptom profile of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists and comparison of effects with high potency cannabis.. Psychopharmacology, 239(5), 1349-1357. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-021-05945-1
MLA
Craft, Sam, et al. "Clinical withdrawal symptom profile of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists and comparison of effects with high potency cannabis.." Psychopharmacology, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-021-05945-1
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Clinical withdrawal symptom profile of synthetic cannabinoid..." RTHC-03774. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/craft-2022-clinical-withdrawal-symptom-profile
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.