What We Know About the Behavioral Effects and Risks of Synthetic Cannabinoids ("Spice")
Scientific research on synthetic cannabinoids is still in early stages, but available evidence indicates these compounds carry significant abuse potential, tolerance, dependence, withdrawal, and toxicity risks that often exceed THC.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
This review consolidated the scientific literature on "Spice" compounds, synthetic cannabinoids originally designed as research tools that became widely abused recreational drugs.
In behavioral assays comparing synthetic cannabinoids to THC, the synthetic compounds generally produced similar effects but often at greater potency or with additional toxicity. Studies documented abuse liability (animals will self-administer these compounds), rapid tolerance development, physical dependence, and withdrawal symptoms.
The review emphasized that these compounds were never intended for human consumption and that scientifically based information about their toxicity and long-term behavioral effects is extremely limited. Most safety data comes from emergency department reports and case series rather than controlled studies.
Methodological challenges include the constant appearance of new compounds, variable composition of street products, and difficulties administering these compounds in controlled research settings.
Key Numbers
The review covers multiple synthetic cannabinoid compounds but does not provide pooled statistics. It notes the "fairly recent" nature of recreational use and the nascent state of preclinical research.
How They Did This
Literature review consolidating published behavioral studies of synthetic cannabinoids in both animals and humans, comparing effects to THC. Covers abuse liability, tolerance, dependence, withdrawal, and toxicity data.
Why This Research Matters
Synthetic cannabinoids remain a significant public health threat, particularly among populations without access to regulated cannabis and those subject to drug testing. This review highlights how little is actually known about compounds that thousands of people have consumed.
The Bigger Picture
The synthetic cannabinoid phenomenon illustrates what happens when prohibition drives users toward unregulated alternatives. The compounds are generally more potent and more dangerous than the natural product they were designed to mimic, creating a paradox where drug policy intended to reduce harm may have increased it.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Much of the evidence comes from anecdotal reports and case series rather than controlled studies. The rapid turnover of compounds on the market means research is always behind the current products. Most preclinical studies focus on a small number of compounds that may not represent the full range of products available.
Questions This Raises
- ?How can research keep pace with the constantly evolving synthetic cannabinoid market?
- ?Would legal access to regulated cannabis reduce synthetic cannabinoid use?
- ?Are there long-term neurological effects from synthetic cannabinoid use that have not yet been identified?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Synthetic cannabinoids were never intended for human use and research is still in early stages
- Evidence Grade:
- Literature review covering animal and human behavioral data. Moderate because it synthesizes legitimate evidence but the underlying research base is limited and rapidly evolving.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2017.
- Original Title:
- Tripping with Synthetic Cannabinoids ("Spice"): Anecdotal and Experimental Observations in Animals and Man.
- Published In:
- Current topics in behavioral neurosciences, 32, 263-281 (2017)
- Authors:
- Järbe, Torbjörn U C(4), Raghav, Jimit Girish
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01413
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Are synthetic cannabinoids more dangerous than marijuana?
Available evidence suggests yes. Synthetic cannabinoids generally produce similar effects to THC but at greater potency, with additional toxicity risks. They were never designed for human consumption and their long-term effects are largely unknown.
Can you get addicted to synthetic cannabinoids?
Research shows synthetic cannabinoids carry abuse liability (animals will self-administer them), and users can develop tolerance, physical dependence, and experience withdrawal symptoms, similar to but potentially more severe than with natural cannabis.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01413APA
Järbe, Torbjörn U C; Raghav, Jimit Girish. (2017). Tripping with Synthetic Cannabinoids ("Spice"): Anecdotal and Experimental Observations in Animals and Man.. Current topics in behavioral neurosciences, 32, 263-281. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2016_16
MLA
Järbe, Torbjörn U C, et al. "Tripping with Synthetic Cannabinoids ("Spice"): Anecdotal and Experimental Observations in Animals and Man.." Current topics in behavioral neurosciences, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2016_16
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Tripping with Synthetic Cannabinoids ("Spice"): Anecdotal an..." RTHC-01413. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/jarbe-2017-tripping-with-synthetic-cannabinoids
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.