Title:Synthetic Cannabinoids: Psychopharmacology, Clinical Aspects, Psychotic Onset
Volume: 16
Issue: 5
Author(s): Giovanni Martinotti, Rita Santacroce, Duccio Papanti, Yasmine Elgharably, Mariya Prilutskaya*Ornella Corazza
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Clinical Science, University of Hertfordshire, Herts,United Kingdom
Keywords:
Cannabis, clinical, intoxication, novel psychoactive substances, psychopharmacology, synthetic cannabinoids.
Abstract: Background: Synthetic Cannabinoids (SC) are the widest and most diffused class of Novel
Psychoactive Substances. The short- and long- term health risks associated with the consumption of SC
are often unknown to both users and health professionals. This review aims to provide a synthesis of the
most recent and relevant insights on the pharmacology, clinical and psychopathological aspects of SC.
Method: A structured search of two bibliographic databases (PubMed and Scopus) was undertaken according
to inclusion/exclusion criteria. The following terms “synthetic cannabinoid*”, “synthetic cannabimimetic*”,
“synthetic cannabis”, “synthetic marijuana” and “Spice AND cannabinoid*” were used
as search strings.
Results: 162 relevant results, mainly published in the past two years were revealed. Most results emerged
for the keyword “synthetic cannabinoid*”, followed by the combination “Spice* AND “cannabinoid*”.
Most papers were epidemiological, forensic, toxicologic, or analytical. The results of studies
were systematized according their contribution to the comprehension of pharmacological, clinical and
psychopathological effects of SC. Fifteen SC-related fatality cases were reviewed according to their
histories, pathology and toxicology findings.
Conclusion: The findings of this review confirm the importance of prompt and reliable information
available for health professionals More specific analytic techniques and designed preventive strategies
are required to face unprecedented SC challenge.
