Quick info
Synthetic cannabinoids (also described in the literature as cannabimimetics or cannabinoid receptor agonists) are classified as "new psychoactive substances" (NPS). There is little information available on the effects, risks, long-term consequences and interactions.
Synthetic cannabinoids are similar in their mode of action to the cannabinoid Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which occurs naturally in the hemp plant. Like THC, synthetic cannabinoids dock onto the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 in the brain and other organs of the human body. Originally, synthetic cannabinoids were developed as therapeutic agents for pain relief. However, it has proven difficult to separate the desired therapeutic properties from the undesirable psychoactive effect.
The effect of synthetic cannabinoids is many times stronger than naturally occurring THC (depending on the synthetic cannabinoid, it can be 50 to 100 times stronger). This means that much less substance is needed to have an effect. Therefore, the risk of overdose is also very high. In addition, the effect and duration of action of each synthetic cannabinoid varies. Since synthetic cannabinoids are hardly researched, the effect can also not be fully assessed.
Users report a cannabis-like feeling of contentment and deep relaxation. There may also be changes in auditory, visual and haptic (touch) sensations. Some synthetic cannabinoids also appear to be mildly stimulating, and users report stimulating and drive-enhancing effects.
Due to the large number of different synthetic cannabinoids (around 300) and the difficult handling, no dosage information is given. Therefore, follow the safer-use rules to minimize the risk of overdose. Synthetic cannabinoids are mainly smoked, but could theoretically also be snorted, injected or swallowed.
Onset of action
Smoked and snorted: immediately or after a few minutes
Swallowed: the effect is delayed, stronger and lasts longer.
Duration of effect
3 to 6 hours. Some users also report up to 8 hours. Users who have inadvertently used synthetic cannabinoids on misdeclared CBD cannabis report that the effect is very rapid and intense, and that after 10 to 30 minutes, the effect is already strongly flattened again.
Appearances
Since 2005, synthetic cannabinoids have been sold in incense blends made from herbs or in so-called incense sticks/room air fresheners. Typical examples include Spice Gold, Spice Silver, Bloom, Bonzai, Sence, and Yucatan Fire. These products are usually sold over the Internet and in "head stores" as so-called "legal high products" in brightly printed sachets made of metal foil. However, they are also available under their chemical names as pure substances. The legislative body constantly updates the narcotics directory, which is why the substances often quickly disappear from the market again and new creations appear.
Since 2020, it has become increasingly common in Switzerland for synthetic cannabinoids to be sprayed/applied to legally produced CBD cannabis in order to be able to sell it deceptively as natural THC-containing cannabis more profitably on the black market. This development is most likely related to the overproduction of legal CBD cannabis and the resulting collapse of the Swiss CBD market. Cannabis products (hemp flowers or hashish) on which synthetic cannabinoids have been sprayed/applied are visually and taste-wise not recognisable as such.
Further information can be found in our evaluation report on synthetic cannabinoids at DIZ Zurich.
The risks and side effects can vary quite a bit depending on which synthetic cannabinoid has been consumed. The following side effects can occur: Accelerated pulse, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, seizures, chest pain, headaches, nausea with vomiting, decrease in mental performance, confusion, delusions, acute psychoses, strong craving, aggressive and violent behaviour, rapid fainting and even heart attack.
The use of synthetic cannabinoids often leads to emergency treatment. The Global Drug Survey 2017 showed that synthetic cannabinoids were cited as the second most common substance (after methamphetamine and before alcohol) whose use had led to emergency medical treatment. Several deaths can also be attributed to the use of synthetic cannabinoids.
If synthetic cannabinoids are falsely declared and sprayed on CBD weed and sold as cannabis containing THC, risky overdoses and/or strong side effects that pose a health risk can occur even faster. This effect is intensified by the sometimes very uneven distribution of cannabinoids on the flowers.
Long-term effects:
Little is known about the exact mechanisms of action, toxicity and possible long-term effects. The current state of knowledge is based almost exclusively on reports from users.
However, with frequent and regular use, there is a risk of psychological dependence.
Get your cannabis tested at a drug-checking service if you suspect synthetic cannabinoids.
When using newly purchased cannabis products for the first time, only "test" them (take two or three puffs) and then wait 20 minutes. If you experience any unusual effects, do not continue to use the product!
Avoid mixed consumption! Mixed use (also with alcohol or drugs) is particularly risky because of the unpredictable and still unknown interactions.
Mix cannabis products well before consumption (use a grinder if possible) to avoid a high concentration of possible synthetic cannabinoids on individual flower parts. Particular care should be taken with residual material that has fallen off the outer flower parts, as a particularly high concentration of synthetic cannabinoids is suspected in them.
LSD analogues are substances that are chemically very similar to LSD and can have comparable effects. Some of them have been known for a long time (e.g. ALD52, ETH-LAD, AL-LAD, PRO-LAD etc.) and have been studied pharmacologically as well as psychopharmacologically, at least in part. Others are newer "creations" (e.g. the derivatives 1P-LSD,1B-LSD, 1cP-LSD, 1V-LSDetc.), for which only few or no data are available. Certain LSD analogues can (still) be legally produced, traded and consumed in some countries, which is the main reason for their distribution.
Most LSD analogues are naturally different from LSD in their effect and/or potency (e.g. ETH-LAD, AL-LAD, LSZ etc.). In contrast, the so-called 1-acylated LSD compounds (e.g. 1P-LSD, 1V-LSD, 1B-LSD, ALD-52, etc.) are presumed, on the basis of pharmacological studies, to convert into LSD in the body (they function as so-called prodrugs) and thus have a comparable psychoactive effect to LSD.
In the case of prodrugs of LSD and LSD analogues, it has not been conclusively clarified whether, in addition to their psychoactive effect, they can produce other pharmacological effects. How potent these prodrugs are compared to the resulting substance (e.g., 1P-LSD to LSD), and to what extent a delay in onset of action occurs in each case, may be substance-dependent and cannot be generalized. Therefore, it is important to approach the dose/effect carefully to avoid overdoses.
If you or someone else needs urgent help after taking drugs or alcohol, call an ambulance on 144. Tell the emergency responders everything you know.
It could save lives.