An emerging trend in Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPSs): designer THC

Summary & key facts

This review looks at the growing group of "designer" THC chemicals that copy the main active part of cannabis. It describes how these molecules are made, how they act on the body, how labs can detect them, and what users say about their effects. Some of these chemicals occur naturally in tiny amounts, but many are made in labs. Sellers often start from legal hemp products like CBD to make new THC-like drugs and avoid laws. New versions keep appearing faster than scientists can study them, so the health risks and side effects are uncertain.

Key facts:

• The paper reviews a large number of THC-like chemicals that are showing up on the recreational market.
• Some of these compounds occur naturally in tiny amounts in cannabis, while many others are completely artificial.
• Manufacturers sometimes make these designer THC products by changing legal hemp extracts like CBD so they can avoid legal restrictions.
• Chemists originally made stronger versions of THC to study how it works and to look for medical uses, but those same chemicals have been used recreationally.
• New THC-like molecules keep appearing, often on a monthly basis, and scientific research is not keeping up with how fast the market is changing.
• Because many of these compounds are new and untested, they pose a public health risk with effects and side effects that are unpredictable.

Abstract

Since its discovery as one of the main components of cannabis and its affinity towards the cannabinoid receptor CB1, serving as a means to exert its psychoactivity, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) has inspired medicinal chemists throughout history to create more potent derivatives. Initially, the goal was to synthesize chemical probes for investigating the molecular mechanisms behind the pharmacology of Δ9-THC and finding potential medical applications. The unintended consequence of this noble intent has been the proliferation of these compounds for recreational use. This review comprehensively covers the most exhaustive number of THC-like cannabinoids circulating on the recreational market. It provides information on the chemistry, synthesis, pharmacology, analytical assessment, and experiences related to the psychoactive effects reported by recreational users on online forums. Some of these compounds can be found in natural cannabis, albeit in trace amounts, while others are entirely artificial. Moreover, to circumvent legal issues, many manufacturers resort to semi-synthetic processes starting from legal products extracted from hemp, such as cannabidiol (CBD). Despite the aim to encompass all known THC-like molecules, new species emerge on the drug users' pipeline each month. Beyond posing a significantly high public health risk due to unpredictable and unknown side effects, scientific research consistently lags behind the rapidly evolving recreational market.

Topics

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research GABA and Rice Research Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Pharmacology

Tags

Agonist Biochemistry Business Cannabidiol Cannabinoid Cannabinoid receptor Cannabis Chemistry Designer drug Drug Drug discovery Law Medicine Pharmacology Political science Psychiatry Receptor Recreation Recreational Drug Synthetic cannabinoids Tetrahydrocannabinol

Substances

Cannabis Other

Conditions & symptoms

Addiction Substance abuse disorder Addiction or harmful habbits