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

These are the effects that synthetic cannabis has on the human body.

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

There is an alternative to cannabis that is presented as a harmless, legal and natural variant of this substance, even though it is the product of laboratories of dubious 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. We will now take a closer look at what this substance is, what its effects are and the link it has with psychotic outbreaks and schizophrenia.

What does synthetic cannabis consist of?

Synthetic cannabis, more properly known as a group of drugs called synthetic cannabinoids, are artificial chemical compounds that cause psychoactive effects similar to those produced by natural cannabis. These chemicals are sprayed on the dried, shredded matter of a plant and then smoked, although they can also be found in liquid form. although it can also be found in the form of liquids that are vaporized and inhaled in electronic cigarettes (vape) or other devices. (vape) or other devices.

Synthetic cannabis is known by many names on the market, including synthetic marijuana, fake weed, pescao, K2, hardcore, Spice Gold, Spice Silver and Yucatan fire. Whatever its trade name, the truth is that in most cases synthetic cannabis is presented as a supposedly legal and harmless alternative to conventional marijuana, although the reality is that it is a far more dangerous and potentially addictive and deadly substance.

The reason why synthetic cannabis is so dangerous has to do with its composition. It is a laboratory-made substance, made with a high content of artificial THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the "bad" substance in marijuana, the one that induces the 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 bad of conventional marijuana in large quantities, in an artificial form, and absolutely none of the minimal good that the plant possesses.

Synthetic cannabis is one of a group of drugs known as "new psychoactive substances". These are mind-altering substances, like conventional psychoactive drugs, but because they are so new, there are as yet no clear regulations on them. because they are so new, there are still no clear regulations on them.. They have recently appeared on the market, and their purpose is to provoke the same effects as those of illegal drugs.

The misleading presentation of this drug

The trade of synthetic cannabis is possible thanks to a misleading presentation. Packages with this drug are often labeled "not suitable for human consumption", despite the fact that this is exactly what it is sold and bought for.

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

Once upon a time 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 known medical benefit and have a high potential for abuse, which is why in many countries it is illegal to buy, sell and possess them. 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 actually buying a "natural" substance.They believe it is either real marijuana they are purchasing or some type of essential oil derived from the plant. Another reason why synthetic cannabis is purchased is that it is usually not easily detected in many traditional drug screening tests.

The main effects of synthetic cannabis

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

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

However, synthetic cannabis is known to have more potent effects than conventional marijuana because synthetic cannabinoids bind strongly to the THC receptors of neurons.. This brings with it more serious, dangerous and unpredictable consequences than those of marijuana.

Added to this, as the chemical composition of synthetic cannabis batches is variable, their 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 mood
• Relaxation
• Alteration of perception
• Symptoms of psychosis: delirium, disordered thoughts...
• Extreme anxiety
• Confusion
• Paranoia: extreme and unjustified distrust in others.
• Hallucinations

Other effects of synthetic cannabinoids, which are more unpleasant and considered by their users as adverse effects are:

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

Synthetic cannabis is highly addictive. Those who use it on a regular basis but try to stop using it may experience a very unpleasant withdrawal syndrome characterized by the following symptoms:

• Headaches
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritability

And although its marketers say otherwise, synthetic cannabis is extremely dangerous, and there is a 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.

Potentially dangerous effects of synthetic cannabis include:

• Increased Blood pressure
• Reduced blood flow to the heart
• Dysrhythmia (altered heartbeat)
• Kidney failure
• Liver failure
• Myocardial infarction
• Seizures
• Hypothermia
• Death

Relationship to psychosis and schizophrenia.

Multiple psychotic symptoms have been reported with the consumption of synthetic cannabisamong them:

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

Psychosis induced by the ingestion of synthetic cannabis affects the mental health of the user in the long term. The degree to which a patient using this substance is affected will depend greatly on age, family history, psychiatric predisposition, history of childhood abuse, and genetic factors.

It is believed that male and younger users of synthetic cannabis are more likely to manifest psychotic symptoms compared to those who use marijuana.. 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 alterations that occur in schizophrenia and psychotic breaks and those induced by synthetic cannabis. There are more cases of psychotic breaks among those who use synthetic cannabinoids than those who take "natural" cannabis.. The use of synthetic cannabis is associated with a higher probability of requiring pharmacological treatment with antipsychotics compared to those who use conventional marijuana.