Tripping with Synthetic Cannabinoids (“Spice”): Anecdotal and Experimental Observations in Animals and Man
Tripping with Synthetic Cannabinoids (“Spice”): Anecdotal and Experimental Observations in Animals and Man Torbjorn€ U.C. Ja¨rbe and Jimit Girish Raghav Abstract The phenomenon of consuming synthetic cannabinoids (“Spice”) for recreational purposes is a fairly recent trend. However, consumption of cannabis dates back millennia, with numerous accounts written on the experience of its consumption, and thousands of scientific reports published on the effects of its constituents in laboratory animals and humans. Here, we focus on consolidating the scientific literature on the effects of “Spice” compounds in various behavioral assays, including assessing abuse liability, tolerance, dependence, withdrawal, and potential toxicity. In most cases, the behavioral effects of “Spice” compounds are compared with those of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Methodological aspects, such as modes of administration and other logistical issues, are also discussed. As the original “Spice” molecules never were intended for human consumption, scientif- ically based information about potential toxicity and short- and long-term behav- ioral effects are very limited. Consequently, preclinical behavioral studies with “Spice” compounds are still in a nascent stage. Research is needed to address the addiction potential and other effects, including propensity for producing tissue/ organ toxicity, of these synthetic cannabimimetic “Spice” compounds. Keywords Cannabinoid • Cannabinoid receptor 1 • Marijuana • ‘Spice’ • Synthetic marijuana • THC Contents 1 The Cannabis Plant ......................................................................... 264 2 Personal Testimonies ....................................................................... 265 3 Synthetic Cannabinoids ..................................................................... 265 T.U.C. Ja¨rbe (*) and J.G. Raghav Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Discovery (CDD), Northeastern University, 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA e-mail: t.jarbe@neu.edu 264 T.U.C.
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