Synthetic Cannabinoid JWH-018 Impaired Attention, Memory, and Motor Control
In a controlled study of 24 cannabis-experienced adults, a relatively low dose of the synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 caused significant impairment in motor coordination, attention, memory, and response speed.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
At 75 microg/kg, JWH-018 impaired motor coordination (CTT), attention (DAT and SST), memory (SMT), lowered speed-accuracy efficiency (MFFT), and slowed response speed. Peak subjective high (64%) occurred at 30 minutes, while peak blood concentration was at 5 minutes (8 ng/mL).
Key Numbers
24 participants; 75 microg/kg body weight dose; peak subjective high 64% at 30 min; peak blood concentration 8 ng/mL at 5 min; significant impairment in CTT, DAT, SST, SMT, and MFFT measures.
How They Did This
Placebo-controlled, crossover study of 24 healthy cannabis-experienced participants who inhaled 75 microg/kg JWH-018 vapor with optional booster dose, monitored for 4 hours with cognitive, psychomotor, and subjective assessments.
Why This Research Matters
Synthetic cannabinoids are widely available but much less studied than THC. Demonstrating clear cognitive and psychomotor impairment at relatively low doses provides evidence to inform public safety policies around these substances.
The Bigger Picture
The rapid onset and significant impairment from a relatively low dose of JWH-018 underscores why synthetic cannabinoids may be more dangerous than natural cannabis, particularly for activities requiring attention and coordination like driving.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small sample; cannabis-experienced participants may not represent naive users; single synthetic cannabinoid tested; laboratory setting differs from real-world use; fixed dose may not represent typical street use.
Questions This Raises
- ?How do impairment levels from JWH-018 compare directly to equivalent doses of THC?
- ?Are newer synthetic cannabinoids more or less impairing than JWH-018?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- A relatively low dose of JWH-018 impaired attention, memory, and motor control across multiple tests
- Evidence Grade:
- Well-designed placebo-controlled crossover study, limited by small sample size and single compound tested.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021.
- Original Title:
- Intoxication by a synthetic cannabinoid (JWH-018) causes cognitive and psychomotor impairment in recreational cannabis users.
- Published In:
- Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior, 202, 173118 (2021)
- Authors:
- Theunissen, Eef L(8), Reckweg, Johannes T(2), Hutten, Nadia R P W(5), Kuypers, Kim P C, Toennes, Stefan W, Neukamm, Merja A, Halter, Sebastian, Ramaekers, Johannes G
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03574
Evidence Hierarchy
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups to test cause and effect.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Are synthetic cannabinoids worse than regular cannabis?
This study found that a relatively low dose of the synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 caused significant impairment across multiple cognitive and motor domains. The rapid onset and potency suggest synthetic cannabinoids may pose greater acute risks than natural cannabis.
How quickly do effects kick in?
Peak blood concentration occurred just 5 minutes after inhalation, while peak subjective high (averaging 64%) was reached at 30 minutes. The very rapid onset may increase risk of accidental overdose.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03574APA
Theunissen, Eef L; Reckweg, Johannes T; Hutten, Nadia R P W; Kuypers, Kim P C; Toennes, Stefan W; Neukamm, Merja A; Halter, Sebastian; Ramaekers, Johannes G. (2021). Intoxication by a synthetic cannabinoid (JWH-018) causes cognitive and psychomotor impairment in recreational cannabis users.. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior, 202, 173118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173118
MLA
Theunissen, Eef L, et al. "Intoxication by a synthetic cannabinoid (JWH-018) causes cognitive and psychomotor impairment in recreational cannabis users.." Pharmacology, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173118
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Intoxication by a synthetic cannabinoid (JWH-018) causes cog..." RTHC-03574. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/theunissen-2021-intoxication-by-a-synthetic
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.