“Noids” in a nutshell: everything you (don’t) want to know about synthetic cannabimimetics
Advances in Dual Diagnosis August 12, 2014 Duccio Papanti, Laura Orsolini, Giulia Francesconi et al. 24 citations
Synthetic cannabinoids, sold as 'Spice' products, are designer drugs that act as full agonists on cannabinoid receptors, unlike the partial agonist THC in cannabis. This stronger activation can produce severe physiological and psychological disturbances. Evidence suggests a relationship between synthetic cannabinoid use and psychosis, termed 'Spiceophrenia'. Acute intoxication typically involves tachycardia, hypertension, hallucinations, mydriasis, agitation, anxiety, tachypnoea, nausea, vomiting, and seizures. The lack of clinical trials and longitudinal studies, along with the heterogeneity of compounds, hinders precise health risk assessment, especially for long-term effects. Large-scale, non-judgmental prevention campaigns highlighting differences from cannabis are needed.