What are the effects of synthetic cannabis, and why is it harmful?

Cannabis is well known, a drug whose legal status is quite varied depending on the country where we go but which in most cases it is known that it can pose problems for the mental health of its user, at least in the long term term.

There is an alternative to cannabis that is presented as a harmless, legal and natural variant of this substance, despite the fact that it is the product of laboratories of doubtful safety: synthetic cannabis.

If conventional marijuana has already been attributed a certain relationship with schizophrenia, the case of synthetic cannabis is even more serious given its high THC content. Next we are going to delve into what this substance is, what its effects are and the link it has with psychotic breakouts and schizophrenia.

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What is synthetic cannabis?

Synthetic cannabis, more properly known as a set of drugs called synthetic cannabinoids, are man-made chemical compounds that cause psychoactive effects similar to those of cannabis natural. These chemicals are sprayed on the dry and crushed matter of a plant and then smoked, although

it can also be found in the form of liquids that are vaporized and inhaled in e-cigarettes (vape) or other devices.

There are multiple names by which synthetic cannabis is known in the market, including synthetic marijuana, fake weed, pescao, K2, hardcore, Spice Gold, Spice Silver and Yucatan fire. Whatever its commercial name, the truth is that in most cases synthetic cannabis is presented as a supposed alternative legal and harmless than conventional marijuana, although the reality is that it is a much more dangerous and potentially addictive substance and mortal.

The reason synthetic cannabis is so dangerous has to do with its composition. It is a laboratory substance, made with a high content of artificial THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the "bad" substance in marijuana that induces harmful psychoactive effects; and zero content of cannabidiol (CBD), the substance in cannabis that has therapeutic and neuroprotective properties.

In other words, synthetic cannabis has the downside of conventional marijuana in large quantities, artificially, and absolutely nothing of the minimal good that the plant possesses.

Synthetic cannabis is part of the group of drugs known as “new psychoactive substances”. These are mind-altering substances, like conventional psychoactive drugs do, but being so new there are still no clear regulations on them. They have recently appeared on the market, and their purpose is to cause the same effects as illegal drugs.

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The misleading presentation of this drug

The trade in synthetic cannabis is made possible by a misleading presentation. Packages with this drug are often labeled "not suitable for human consumption", although it is precisely for that reason that it is sold and bought.

In addition, the same container also indicates that it contains "natural" material, extracted from various plants; however, the marijuana plant is not one of them. What these packets actually contain is dried plant matter of another kind that has been sprayed with a lab-made cannabinoid.

A while ago it was relatively easy to buy synthetic cannabis through various means, including novelty stores, gas stations, Asian bazaars or the Internet.

Synthetic cannabinoids carry more risks than benefits, lacking any medical benefit known and pose a high potential for abuse, which is why in many countries their sale and purchase is illegal and possession. However, manufacturers try to circumvent the laws by changing their chemical formulas and marketing the new substance by taking advantage of the legal loophole.

Obtaining synthetic cannabis is relatively easy, regardless of how illegal it may be. People who buy this substance do so thinking that they are really buying a "natural" substance, believing that it is real marijuana what they acquire or some type of essential oil derived from the plant. Another reason synthetic cannabis is purchased is that it is not usually easily detected in many traditional drug screening tests.

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The main effects of synthetic cannabis

Despite being an artificially created substance, synthetic cannabis has effects that resemble those of conventional cannabinoids. Synthetic cannabinoids act on the same neuron receptors for THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

It must be said that synthetic cannabis has not yet been sufficiently studied due to its recent use and, also, because it is a drug whose formula is modified very frequently.

However, synthetic cannabis is known to have more powerful effects than conventional marijuana as synthetic cannabinoids bind tightly to THC receptors on neurons. This brings with it more serious, dangerous and unpredictable consequences than those of marijuana.

Added to this, since the chemical composition of batches of synthetic cannabis is variable, its effects are also different. One batch of synthetic cannabis can produce different effects than another batch, which is why we say that the effects of this substance are so unpredictable.

Among the most common effects manifested by those who consume synthetic cannabinoids we find some similar to those of conventional marijuana:

• Good humor
• Relaxation
• Perception disturbance
• Symptoms of psychosis: delusions, disordered thoughts ...
• Extreme anxiety
• Confusion
• Paranoia: extreme and unjustified distrust of others
• Hallucinations

Other effects that synthetic cannabinoids have, more unpleasant and considered by their consumers as Adverse effects are:

• Increased heart rate
• Vomiting
• Violent behavior
• Suicidal ideation
• Tachycardia
• Arrhythmia

Synthetic cannabis is very addictive. Those who consume it regularly but try to stop using it may experience a very unpleasant withdrawal syndrome characterized by the following symptoms:

• Headaches
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritability

And although their merchants say otherwise, synthetic cannabis is extremely dangerous, with the risk of overdose. This would occur when the consumer takes too much of this drug, suffering a dangerous reaction that would lead to very harmful or even lethal symptoms.

Among the potentially dangerous effects of synthetic cannabis we find:

• Increased blood pressure
• Reduced blood flow to the heart
• Dysrhythmia (alteration of the heartbeat)
• Renal insufficiency
• Liver failure
• Myocardial infarction
• Seizures
• Hypothermia
• Death

• Related article: "What is cannabinoid hyperemesis, the vomiting disease of cannabis"

Relationship with psychosis and schizophrenia

Multiple psychotic symptoms have been reported with the use of synthetic cannabis, among them:

• Perception disturbances
• Delusions
• Paranoia
• Catatonia
• Depersonalization
• Dissociation
• Auditory and visual hallucinations

The psychoses induced by the ingestion of synthetic cannabis affect the mental health of the user in the long term. The degree of affectation of the patient who consumes this substance will depend a lot on his age, family history, psychiatric predisposition, history of child abuse and genetic factors.

Young, male synthetic cannabis users are believed to be more likely to develop psychotic symptoms compared to marijuana users. Psychosis can occur even without a history of mental disorder and is considered to be a risk factor for developing schizophrenia.

Several neurophysiological studies have found similarities between the neurological disorders that occur in schizophrenia and psychotic breakouts and those induced by synthetic cannabis. There are more cases of psychotic breakouts among those who use synthetic cannabinoids than those who take "natural" cannabis.. The use of synthetic cannabis is associated with a greater probability of ending up requiring drug treatment with antipsychotics compared to those who take conventional marijuana.