Synthetic cannabinoids cause faster dependence, worse withdrawal, and more dangerous physical effects than cannabis
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.
Quick Facts
What This Study 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.
Key Numbers
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 They Did This
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.
Why This Research 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 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.
What This Study Doesn't 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.
Questions This Raises
- ?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?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Synthetic cannabinoids: faster dependence, seizure-risk withdrawal, cardiotoxicity, and death
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: clinical review covering available evidence through 2018, though much is from case reports and small studies.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2019.
- Original Title:
- Synthetic cannabinoid use disorder: an update for general psychiatrists.
- Published In:
- Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 27(3), 279-283 (2019)
- Authors:
- Grigg, Jasmin, Manning, Victoria(5), Arunogiri, Shalini(2), Lubman, Dan I
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02053
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked 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.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02053APA
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
MLA
Grigg, Jasmin, et al. "Synthetic cannabinoid use disorder: an update for general psychiatrists.." Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1177/1039856218822749
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Synthetic cannabinoid use disorder: an update for general ps..." RTHC-02053. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/grigg-2019-synthetic-cannabinoid-use-disorder
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.