Title |
Synthetic and Non-synthetic Cannabinoid Drugs and Their Adverse Effects-A Review From Public Health Prospective
|
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Published in |
Frontiers in Public Health, June 2018
|
DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00162 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Koby Cohen, Aviv M. Weinstein |
Abstract |
There is a growing use of novel psychoactive substances containing synthetic cannabinoids. Synthetic cannabinoid products have effects similar to those of natural cannabis, yet, these drugs are more potent and dangerous, and have been associated with dangerous adverse effects. Here, we review current literature on the epidemiology, acute, and chronic effects of synthetic and natural cannabinoid-based drugs. Synthetic drugs contain a mixture of psychoactive compounds that mostly bind cannabinoid receptors with high potency. These synthetic drugs replicate the effects of natural cannabis and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol but they induce more severe adverse effects including respiratory difficulties, hypertension, tachycardia, chest pain, muscle twitches, acute renal failure, anxiety, agitation, psychosis, suicidal ideation, and cognitive impairment. Chronic use of synthetic cannabinoids has been associated with serious psychiatric and medical conditions and even death. Given the growing popularity in the use of cannabinoid-based drugs and their harmful potential, there is a need for further research in this field. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 2 | 13% |
Canada | 2 | 13% |
Saudi Arabia | 1 | 7% |
Iceland | 1 | 7% |
United States | 1 | 7% |
Spain | 1 | 7% |
Switzerland | 1 | 7% |
Unknown | 6 | 40% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 10 | 67% |
Scientists | 2 | 13% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 2 | 13% |
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 1 | 7% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 235 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Bachelor | 28 | 12% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 24 | 10% |
Student > Master | 23 | 10% |
Researcher | 20 | 9% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 15 | 6% |
Other | 39 | 17% |
Unknown | 86 | 37% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 34 | 14% |
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | 18 | 8% |
Chemistry | 16 | 7% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 14 | 6% |
Neuroscience | 11 | 5% |
Other | 45 | 19% |
Unknown | 97 | 41% |