Synthetic Cannabinoids Flashcards
(38 cards)
What class do synthetic cannabinoids belong to?
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS).
What are novel psychoactive substances?
Psychoactive substances that legally mimic the effects of traditional drugs of abuse.
Are NPSs internationally controlled?
No.
How did K2, spice emerge?
Many compounds were synthesized by pharmaceutical companies in the 1990s after the endocannabinoid system was discovered.
What is K2, spice referred to as?
‘Herbal incense’.
When did K2, spice first appear in the illicit drug scene?
2000’s.
Why do people use synthetic cannabinoids?
Originally used to circumvent laws, lack of toxicological screening tools, increased potency, marketing, cost, poor perception of risk.
How does Canadian law classify synthetic cannabinoids?
Based on structure, including analogues.
What receptors do synthetic cannabinoids act on?
CB receptors.
Are synthetic cannabinoids structurally related to THC or CBD?
No.
Are synthetic cannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant?
No.
What are the psychoactive and toxic effects of synthetic cannabinoids thought to be related to?
CB1 receptor activity.
What type of agonists are most synthetic cannabinoids at the CB1 receptor?
Full agonists, THC is partial.
Describe the chemical characteristics of synthetic cannabinoids.
Lipid soluble, non-polar, small molecules (usually 20-26 C atoms), fairly volatile.
How can packaging of synthetic cannabinoids be misleading?
Contents described as herbal but the psychoactive ingredient is synthetic. Exact compound and concentration is unknown, chemicals vary between batches so different packets can produce different effects, even if packaging looks identical.
Why is there a long time frame between illicit use and identifying psychoactive ingredients?
Listing various herbs on the label that in theory may have cannabis-like effects by themselves, complex matrices to analyze, addition of high concentrations of non-psychoactive compounds, compounds have common mass or UV spectra libraries and do not show cross-reactivity to commonly used immunoassays.
What are the desired effects of synthetic cannabinoids?
Elevated mood/euphoria, relaxation, altered perception.
What psychoactive effects are associated with synthetic cannabinoid toxicity?
Anxiety, confusion, paranoia, hallucinations, psychosis, increased aggressive behaviour.
What symptoms are associated with general toxicity?
Rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, vomiting, seizures, excessive drowsiness.
Give examples of synthetic cannabinoid street names.
AKB-48, 2NE1, XLR-11.
Give examples of synthetic cannabinoid classifications.
Cycloexylphenols (CP), JWH, HU, AM.
What were the three first synthetic cannabinoids?
HU-210, CP-47,497, JWH-018.
What have slight modifications to parent structures resulted in?
Newer generations of synthetic cannabinoids.
Give examples of newer synthetic cannabinoids.
Indazole carboxamides, APINACA (AKB-48).