Synthetic cannabinoids cause faster dependence, worse withdrawal, and more dangerous physical effects than cannabis | Research

The takeaway

Compared to cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids are associated with faster development of dependence, more severe psychiatric risks, complex withdrawal including seizures, and serious physical effects including cardiotoxicity and death.

People interested in synthetic cannabinoid risks, clinicians, and anyone comparing synthetic versus natural cannabis.

Synthetic cannabinoids: faster dependence, seizure-risk withdrawal, cardiotoxicity, and death

What the researchers found

Synthetic cannabinoid use is associated with more rapid development of dependence than cannabis, increased psychiatric risks, complex withdrawal syndromes, and serious physical adverse effects including seizures, cardiotoxicity, and death, suggesting a need for more intensive clinical management.

Why it matters

Synthetic cannabinoids are often perceived as legal or safer alternatives to cannabis, but the clinical reality is much more dangerous. Psychiatrists encountering these patients need to know that standard cannabis management protocols are insufficient.

The numbers in context

Compared to cannabis: more rapid dependence development, increased psychiatric risks, complex withdrawal with seizures, cardiotoxicity, and deaths. Management requires more intensive approaches than for natural cannabis.

How the study worked

Literature review searching MEDLINE and Embase for articles of all methodological designs published through June 2018, focusing on physical and psychiatric adverse effects of chronic synthetic cannabinoid use and clinical management strategies.

What this study cannot tell us

Literature review rather than systematic review. Synthetic cannabinoids are a diverse group of chemicals; findings may not apply equally to all compounds. Many reports are case-based. Long-term outcome data are limited.

How to read the evidence

Moderate: clinical review covering available evidence through 2018, though much is from case reports and small studies.

When this study was published

Published in 2019.

The bigger picture

The synthetic cannabinoid market continues to evolve faster than research can keep up. Clinicians in mental health settings are increasingly encountering these patients and need practical guidance, which this review provides alongside the clinical evidence.

Questions still open

Are specific synthetic cannabinoid compounds more dangerous than others? Could pharmacological interventions improve withdrawal outcomes? What is the optimal monitoring period for patients presenting with synthetic cannabinoid-related psychiatric symptoms?

Common questions

How are synthetic cannabinoids different from natural cannabis?

Synthetic cannabinoids bind the same receptors but are often far more potent. They cause faster dependence, more severe withdrawal (including seizures), greater psychiatric risks, and physical dangers like cardiotoxicity that natural cannabis rarely causes.

Can synthetic cannabinoid withdrawal be dangerous?

Yes. Unlike natural cannabis withdrawal, which is typically uncomfortable but not dangerous, synthetic cannabinoid withdrawal can include seizures and may require intensive medical management.

Read the original research

Synthetic cannabinoid use disorder: an update for general psychiatrists.

Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 27(3), 279-283

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Grigg, Jasmin; Manning, Victoria; Arunogiri, Shalini; Lubman, Dan I. (2019). Synthetic cannabinoid use disorder: an update for general psychiatrists.. Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 27(3), 279-283. https://doi.org/10.1177/1039856218822749