Psychotomimetic symptoms after a moderate dose of a synthetic cannabinoid (JWH-018): implications for psychosis
Eef L. Theunissen, Johannes T. Reckweg, Nadia R. P. W. Hutten, Kim P. C. Kuypers, Stefan W. Toennes, Merja A. Neukamm, Sebastian Halter, Johannes G. Ramaekers
Psychopharmacology January 26, 2021 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05768-0 via OpenAlex
Summary
A moderate dose of the synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018, inhaled by 24 healthy adults with no history of mental illness, produced pronounced psychedelic and dissociative effects, including altered perception, amnesia, derealization, depersonalization, and confusion. The average dose administered was 5.52 mg. These findings indicate that synthetic cannabinoids pose a serious risk for public health by inducing psychotomimetic symptoms even in people without prior mental health issues.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Placebo-controlled, double blind, within-subjects trial Double-blind Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 24 |
| Population | Healthy participants with no history of mental illness |
| Intervention | JWH-018 |
| Dose | 75μg/kg bodyweight, average 5.52 mg |
| Duration | 4.5-h time window after drug administration |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Psychotomimetic Psychosis Synthetic cannabinoids Hallucinogen Psychology |
| Citations | 20 |
| Key finding | A moderate dose of JWH-018 induces pronounced psychotomimetic symptoms in healthy participants. |
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are the largest class of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) and are associated with an increased risk of overdosing and adverse events such as psychosis. JWH-018 is one of the earliest SCs and still widely available in large parts of the world. Controlled studies to assess the safety and behavioural profiles of SCs are extremely scarce. AIM: The current study was designed to assess the psychotomimetic effects of a moderate dose of JWH-018. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy participants (10 males, 14 females) entered a placebo-controlled, double blind, within-subjects trial and inhaled vapour of placebo or 75μg/kg bodyweight JWH-018. To ascertain a minimum level of intoxication, a booster dose of JWH-018 was administered on an as-needed basis. The average dose of JWH-018 administered was 5.52 mg. Subjective high, dissociative states (CADSS), psychedelic symptoms (Bowdle), mood (POMS) and cannabis reinforcement (SCRQ) were assessed within a 4.5-h time window after drug administration. RESULTS: JWH-018 caused psychedelic effects, such as altered internal and external perception, and dissociative effects, such as amnesia, derealisation and depersonalisation and induced feelings of confusion. CONCLUSION: Overall, these findings suggest that a moderate dose of JWH-018 induces pronounced psychotomimetic symptoms in healthy participants with no history of mental illness, which confirms that SCs pose a serious risk for public health.