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.
Toxicologists, law enforcement, drug policy researchers
A relatively low dose of JWH-018 impaired attention, memory, and motor control across multiple tests
What the researchers 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).
Why it 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 numbers in context
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 the study worked
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.
What this study cannot 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.
How to read the evidence
Well-designed placebo-controlled crossover study, limited by small sample size and single compound tested.
When this study was published
Published in 2021.
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.
Questions still open
- 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?
Common questions
Are synthetic cannabinoids worse than regular cannabis?
How quickly do effects kick in?
Read the original research
Intoxication by a synthetic cannabinoid (JWH-018) causes cognitive and psychomotor impairment in recreational cannabis users.
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior, 202, 173118
Citation
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
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