Synthetic cannabinoids are man-made chemicals similar to the chemicals present in the marijuana plant which is the reason why they are called cannabinoids. They are also capable of mind-altering effects and a sometimes referred to as herbal or liquid incense (1).
A class of designer drugs known as synthetic cannabinoids are designed to bind to the receptors that cannabis plants are known to attach to. They should not be confused with the synthetic phytocannabinoids or synthetic endocannabinoids, which are obtained through chemical synthesis.
What are Synthetic Cannabinoids
The substance referred to as synthetic marijuana is an artificial substance that mimics the effects of cannabis. According to the CDC, there are hundreds of chemicals that can be used to make synthetic marijuana.
These substances are usually sprayed on the surface of a shredded or dried plant material and are then sold as liquid or vapor. They can be used in electronic cigarettes or other vaping devices.
The chemicals used to make synthetic marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids are similar to the substances found in the marijuana plant. This makes them look and feel like a safe and legal alternative to marijuana. In fact, they can potentially affect the brain in a more powerful manner than marijuana. This is why they are often referred to as fake weed.
According to the NIDA, synthetic cannabinoids are a class of drugs that are commonly used to treat various conditions. They are similar to the substances found in marijuana. They can also interact with the brain’s receptors to produce a psychoactive effect.
Synthetic Cannabinoids and Marijuana
In recent years, synthetic Cannabinoids have entered the market as a legal alternative to medical marijuana. Medical marijuana is a derivative of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient of marijuana. As a derivative, it has many of the same health benefits as the original; including relieving the symptoms of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, treating muscle spasms, easing physical discomfort, and improving mood. However, synthetic Cannabinoids do not have all the same benefits as Medical Marijuana. As an alternative, they may be used to treat chronic muscle spasms associated with diseases such as multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, etc (2).
Although they do not produce the same amount of euphoria as medical marijuana, synthetically produced Cannabinoids do share some common side effects that may be considered acceptable if they improve one’s symptoms. In fact, some doctors even consider Cannabinoids to be less harmful than smoked marijuana. It is also said that people who suffer from chronic diseases like Cancer may use synthetically made Cannabinoids to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy (3). However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put some restrictions on the sale and distribution of such Cannabinoids.
Physical Similarities Between Synthetic Cannabinoids and Natural Cannabinoids
Synthetic Cannabinoids are similar in appearance and chemical composition to natural cannabidiol, which is the main ingredient of Medical Marijuana. However, unlike Medical Marijuana, Synthetic Cannabinoids are not made from the cannabis plant. Instead, they are manufactured using a procedure called trans-cannularization. In other words, instead of heating the raw plant material to remove any volatile oils that may be present, the trans-cannularization process causes the oils to be contained within the inner surface of the generalized solution, thus eliminating most of the medicinal benefits. Therefore, although synthetic Cannabinoids may be used to treat certain medical ailments, they cannot be considered as an alternative to Medical Marijuana.
In recent years, there has been an increase in synthetic cannabinoids that have hit the market. The most common synthetic Cannabinoids available in the United States at this time are Amyl Nitric Oxide (ALOT), Anafranil, Phenaghrel, Envite, Finasteride, and Spice. Although there are many other synthetic cannabinoids currently being researched, it is believed that future generations will produce less harmful synthetic cannabinoids. Currently, there are no known side effects of synthetic cannabinoids.
What Contraries Exist for Synthetic Cannabinoids?
Contrary to popular belief, synthetic marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids do not produce the same effects as marijuana. They can cause various negative effects that are not related to the active ingredient in marijuana.
For instance, while the term synthetic cannabinoids is often used to refer to these substances, it should not be confused with the actual cannabinoids.
How Are Synthetic Cannabinoids Branded?
In the US and the UK, synthetic cannabinoids are usually sprayed onto the surface of the plant material. They are then smoked or ingested in concentrated form. These substances are often marketed as herbal incense or “herbal smoking blends.” They are labeled as not for human consumption and are often sold under different names such as K2, spice, and synthetic marijuana. In an attempt to avoid the legal restrictions on marijuana, a large number of synthetic cannabinoids have been designed to make them look and feel like marijuana.
These substances are often labeled as not for human consumption. Due to their complex design, a large number of synthetic cannabinoids have been designed to make them look and feel like marijuana. They are then sold as designer drugs.
A synthetic version of THC is designed to be similar to the natural psychoactive substance known as CB1. These substances have greater potency and binding affinity to CB1 receptors, which are involved in the effects of marijuana.
There are various synthetic cannabinoid families that are created by the creator. These include the AM-xxx, HU-xxx, JWH-xxx, and CP-xx families. They can also have different base structures, such as naphthoylindoles and classical cannabinoids.
According to Tishler, there are also synthetic cannabinoids that are being sold on the semi-legal market that are derived from hemp. These include delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, and delta-0 THC.
What are the effects of Synthetic Cannabinoids?
The effects of synthetic cannabinoids are unpredictable and more extreme than those produced by THC. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, they can also lead to addiction and abuse.
The agency also stated that the effects of synthetic cannabinoids can include paranoia, relaxation, hallucinations, and confusion for some people.
How Does Synthetic Cannabinoids Make You Feel?
Like marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids have the same effects. Some users will feel relaxed and happy, while others will experience a variety of negative effects such as paranoia and hunger.
Due to how they react strongly to the brain’s cannabis receptors, synthetic cannabinoids are more potent than natural marijuana. This makes them easier to use, and users tend to experience unpleasant effects.
Although they act similar to the active substance in marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids are more potent. This makes them easier to use and result in harmful and unpleasant effects.
The effects of synthetic cannabinoids are usually described as being euphoric and relaxing. Some users will feel happy and relaxed, while others will experience a variety of negative effects such as hunger and paranoia.
The effects of synthetic cannabinoids can change the perception and mood of users. They are more likely to cause hallucinations than natural marijuana. Some users will experience severe negative reactions such as forgetfulness, paranoia, and panic attacks.
How are Synthetic Cannabinoids Used?
Most people who use synthetic cannabinoids prefer to smoke the plant material. They can also brew it as tea or mix it with marijuana. Others buy the products in liquid form, which they can vaporize using e-cigarettes.
Can Synthetic Cannabinoids be Addictive?
People who use synthetic cannabinoids often feel like they are addicted. Withdrawal symptoms can include depression, irritability, and headaches.
Although there are currently no studies supporting the use of behavioral therapies or medications to treat addiction to synthetic cannabinoids, health care providers should regularly screen patients for possible mental health conditions.
Dependence and Tolerance
People who use synthetic cannabinoids frequently become dependent on the substance. They may feel that they need the drug to go about their normal activities, such as studying or working. Individuals who develop a tolerance to synthetic cannabinoids will need to take larger amounts in order to get the same effect.
Some Benefits of Synthetic Cannabinoids
Although some users may be concerned about the long-term health effects of using synthetic cannabinoids (4), there are several benefits to trying this method of treatment. One benefit is that synthetic cannabinoids are considered less addictive than Medical Marijuana. Therefore, they can be used by those who are currently undergoing medical treatments for their conditions, but are not ready for full blown marijuana use. Another advantage to using synthetic cannabinoids is that it is a less serious condition compared to other methods of medical marijuana use. This means that it is not often necessary to use medical marijuana (5).
Another benefit is that there are fewer side effects when using Medical Marijuana compared to the synthetic cannabinoids. For example, medical marijuana users do not experience the following common side effects: difficulty in breathing, nausea, restlessness, dizziness, sleep disturbance, or seizures. On the other hand, when synthetic Cannabinoids are used, these symptoms occur more frequently. Synthetic Cannabinoids also cause less serious side effects than Medical marijuana does. Therefore, many people consider the two forms of medical marijuana use to be equal. However, there are many differences between the two that will help you decide if they are right for you.
While many believe that medical marijuana is the only option for treating certain ailments, many people view the use of synthetic cannabinoids as an acceptable way to relieve symptoms of certain diseases. However, synthetic Cannabinoids come with many different benefits that may make them more attractive for use compared to medical marijuana. Many synthetic forms of Cannabinoids have also been proven effective in helping to treat certain illnesses and conditions such as seizures, chronic pain, and nausea. In addition, synthetic forms of Cannabinoids are available over the counter without a prescription, making them even more accessible to the public.
Although Cannabinoid has many positive benefits, some side effects do exist. For example, users who are pregnant or suffer from seizures should consult their physician before using Medical marijuana. Some side effects of synthetic Cannabinoids include confusion, impaired thinking, slowed reflexes, dizziness, increased heart rate, and increased blood pressure. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, it is suggested that you speak with your doctor right away. While synthetic Cannabinoid does not have as many side effects, they can still be dangerous.
Recent Comments