Synthetic Cannabinoid Use Linked to 48% Higher Concussion Risk in Teen Athletes
Adolescents who used synthetic cannabinoids like Spice or K2 had 48% higher odds of sports-related concussion compared to non-users, independent of alcohol and marijuana use — suggesting these products impair athletic safety.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Synthetic cannabinoid use was associated with 48% higher odds of sports-related TBI (AOR=1.48, 95% CI=1.30-1.70), with TBI prevalence of 22.9% among SC users vs. 12.4% among non-users. Natural marijuana use was also a significant but weaker predictor (AOR=1.16).
Key Numbers
N=27,482; 6.0% SC use; 13% sports TBI; SC users: 22.9% TBI vs 12.4% non-users; SC AOR=1.48; marijuana AOR=1.16; alcohol AOR=1.75; boys AOR=1.38
How They Did This
Analysis of 2017-2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data (n=27,482 nationally representative adolescents), using weighted multivariable logistic regression examining lifetime synthetic cannabinoid use and self-reported past-year sports-related concussion.
Why This Research Matters
Synthetic cannabinoids are cheap, evade standard drug tests, and may impair coordination and reaction time more severely than natural cannabis — creating a hidden safety risk in youth sports.
The Bigger Picture
As synthetic cannabinoids evade standard sports physicals and drug tests, incorporating specific SC screening questions could help identify athletes at higher concussion risk.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design; self-reported outcomes; cannot determine temporal relationship; lifetime SC use may not reflect use during sports; concussion self-report may be inaccurate; potential confounding from risk-taking behavior generally.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do synthetic cannabinoids impair athletic performance more than natural cannabis?
- ?Would SC-specific drug testing at sports physicals reduce injuries?
- ?Are there cumulative effects of SC use and repeated concussions?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Large nationally representative sample with appropriate adjustment, but cross-sectional design and self-reported measures limit causal inference.
- Study Age:
- Published 2026; uses 2017-2021 YRBS data.
- Original Title:
- Synthetic Cannabinoid Use and Sports-Related Concussion Risk Among US Adolescents: Implications for School Health Screening and Prevention.
- Published In:
- The Journal of school health, 96(2), e70112 (2026)
- Authors:
- Kalra, Saurabh, Nagaraja, Nandakumar, Kalra, Deepak
- Database ID:
- RTHC-08372
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Do synthetic cannabinoids increase concussion risk?
This national study found that teens who used synthetic cannabinoids (Spice, K2) had 48% higher odds of sports-related concussion, even after accounting for alcohol and marijuana use — suggesting these products pose unique athletic safety risks.
Should sports physicals screen for synthetic cannabinoid use?
This study supports it — since 6% of teens reported SC use and these users had nearly double the concussion rate, asking about SC use during pre-sport evaluations could help identify at-risk athletes.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-08372APA
Kalra, Saurabh; Nagaraja, Nandakumar; Kalra, Deepak. (2026). Synthetic Cannabinoid Use and Sports-Related Concussion Risk Among US Adolescents: Implications for School Health Screening and Prevention.. The Journal of school health, 96(2), e70112. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.70112
MLA
Kalra, Saurabh, et al. "Synthetic Cannabinoid Use and Sports-Related Concussion Risk Among US Adolescents: Implications for School Health Screening and Prevention.." The Journal of school health, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.70112
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Synthetic Cannabinoid Use and Sports-Related Concussion Risk..." RTHC-08372. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/kalra-2026-synthetic-cannabinoid-use-and
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.