What You Must Know About Synthetic Cannabinoids in 2025: Hidden Dangers & Health Risks

What are synthetic cannabinoids?

Synthetic cannabinoids, also known as synthetic cannabis, are novel psychoactive substances (NPS) that interact with the brain’s cannabinoid receptors. A class of synthetic drugs known as NPS is made to resemble the effects of popular substances like LSD, MDMA, and cannabis. NPSs are frequently designed to circumvent the law. Since their chemicals are novel or modified, they can have effects that are comparable to those of more well-known illegal drugs, but they can also be unpredictable and pose major health risks.

In the 1970s, synthetic cannabinoids were developed in an effort to produce medications that had effects akin to those of cannabis. They gained popularity in areas where cannabis was prohibited in the early 2000s after they started to be sold online.

However, the effects of THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol), the active component in cannabis, are significantly different from those of synthetic cannabinoids. They may have more potent, hazardous, and erratic effects. The terms synthetic cannabis and synthetic marijuana are therefore deceptive. Although the term synthetic cannabinoids will be used for simplicity, the proper term for these substances is synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs).

What do synthetic cannabinoids look like?

Synthetic cannabinoids are typically sold in vibrant, branded packaging after being combined with solvents and sprayed onto herbs. Additionally, they can be offered for sale as powder or liquid.

Deceptive packaging

• Synthetic cannabinoids can come in confusing packaging. Even though the contents are referred to as “herbal,” the psychoactive substance is actually synthetic (made in a lab).
• Not every ingredient is listed, nor are all of their amounts accurate. Overdose risk may rise as a result.
• Even if the packaging appears the same, different packets may have different effects because chemicals typically change from batch to batch.

Different names

Various brand names are used to market synthetic cannabinoids. The first of several synthetic cannabinoid products marketed in many European nations was spice. Since then, several comparable products have been created, including Kronic, K2, Northern Lights, and Kaos.

Other types of cannabinoids

• Cannabidiol
• Cannabis
• Butane hash oil
• Medicinal cannabis

How are synthetic cannabinoids used?

Synthetic cannabinoids can be consumed through food, beverages, or edible items like gummies and lollipops. They can also be smoked in joints, pipes, or bongs, or used in e-cigarettes with specially prepared e-liquids. Based on the type of synthetic cannabinoid used, the effects typically start to take effect within minutes and last anywhere from one to two hours to five to six hours.

Effects of synthetic cannabinoids

There is no acceptable amount of drug use. There is always some risk involved in drug use. It is crucial to exercise caution when using any kind of medication.

Each person is affected by synthetic cannabinoids differently, depending on:

• dimensions, weight, and well-being
• if they are accustomed to taking it
• whether additional medications are taken concurrently
• The sum that was taken
• drug’s potency (which varies from batch to batch)
• setting (where the medication is taken).

Many harmful side effects that are not brought on by cannabis can be produced by synthetic cannabinoids. The effects are stronger than those of cannabis and are frequently experienced sooner.

The effects differ greatly because synthetic cannabinoids come in so many varieties.

Synthetic cannabinoids can have the following effects:

• Relaxation
• euphoria
• altered perceptions
• altered sense of time
• loss of coordination
• fast and irregular heartbeat
• racing thoughts
• agitation, anxiety and paranoia
• psychosis
• chest pain
• breakdown of muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis)
• fatigue
• raised blood pressure (hypertension)
• breathing difficulties
• hyperthermia (overheating)
• acute kidney injury.

Set and Setting:

Depending on the individual’s mood (often referred to as the “set”) or the environment they are in (the “setting”), synthetic cannabinoids have a variety of effects:

• Set: an individual’s mental state, past experiences with psychoactive substances, and anticipated outcomes. For instance, anxiety or tension prior to using synthetic cannabinoids may be exacerbated and lead to an unpleasant experience.¹³
• Setting: the setting in which a person uses synthetic cannabinoids, including whether it is familiar or unfamiliar, who they are with, whether they are indoors or outdoors, the kind of music playing, and the lighting. Use of synthetic cannabinoids, for instance, can be enjoyable when done in a peaceful, quiet, and relaxed setting, but it can also be unpleasant when done in a busy, noisy setting
• Before using any drug, it is less likely that a negative experience will occur if you are in a good mood, in a secure setting, and with friends you can trust.

Overdose

You risk overdosing if you take a lot or have a potent batch. A very small amount of some synthetic cannabinoids can cause an overdose since they are so potent.

It is possible for synthetic cannabinoids to be fatal. If any of the following symptoms apply to you or someone else, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance (emergency services are available to assist and can give instructions over the phone):

• Chest pain or discomfort that can feel like burning, heaviness, squeezing, or pressure. Additionally, the arm, shoulder, back, neck, or jaw may feel it.
• breathing problems
• rapid or irregular heartbeat
• psychosis.
• convulsions
• stroke
• vomiting
• extreme body temperature (hyperthermia)
• erratic conduct or delusions.

Read More on Overdose

Coming down

Synthetic cannabinoids can have side effects that persist for days or weeks after use.

Among these are

• anxiety
• Hallucinations
• insomnia (inability to fall asleep)
• ^{episode of psychos}

Long-term consequences

Long-term synthetic cannabinoid use has been linked to:

• mental health issues like anxiety and depression
• Heart conditions
• kidney disorders
• sleeplessness
• problems with thinking and memory.

Cannabinoids that are synthetic and mental health

^{Individuals who use synthetic cannabinoids are more likely to experience anxiety and depression symptoms, and long-term use is closely associated with serious mental health conditions like schizophrenia.} Both those with and without mental health conditions can experience psychosis as a result of synthetic cannabinoids.

Compared to cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids produce more severe psychotic symptoms, which can linger for weeks after the last use.

Individuals who have a family history of mental health disorders or mental health disorders themselves should not use synthetic cannabinoids due to these risks.

Dependency and tolerance

Regular users of synthetic cannabis may develop a dependence on the substance. They can believe they require synthetic cannabinoids to carry out their daily tasks, such as working, learning, interacting with others, or simply getting through the day.

Additionally, tolerance may develop, requiring higher dosages of synthetic cannabinoids to achieve the same results.

Mixing synthetic cannabinoids with other drugs

The effects of taking synthetic cannabinoids with other drugs—including over-the-counter or prescribed medications—can be unpredictable and dangerous.

• Combining antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can be harmful and result in fever, convulsions, organ failure, coma, and even death.
• Psychedelics: combining synthetic cannabis with psychedelics such as LSD or psilocybin (magic mushrooms) may enhance their hazards. Psychosis and anxiety may become more likely as a result.
• The effects of cocaine, methamphetamine (ice), or MDMA can be very harmful and raise the risk of anxiety.

Polydrug use refers to the simultaneous use of multiple drugs or drug types.

Withdrawal

After long-term use, it can be difficult to stop using synthetic cannabinoids because the body must adjust to life without them.

According to reports, some regular users of synthetic cannabinoids may encounter withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to quit, such as:

• sleeplessness
• nausea and vomiting.
• decrease in hunger
• nervousness
• attacks of panic
• irritability and restlessness
• nervousness
• fluctuations in mood
• accelerated heartbeat.

Read More about Withdrawal

Reducing harm

You can lower your risk of injury when using synthetic cannabinoids in the following ways:

• Start low, go slow: Before taking more, try a very small dose to better understand its strength and potential side effects. Only gradually increase the dosage; allow time for the effects of the previous dose to wear off.
• Tell a friend what you’ve taken so they can assist you if you’re feeling ill.
• Do not use if you have epilepsy, a mental illness, or pre-existing cardiac issues.
• Avoid driving, operating machinery, and swimming, as these activities may impair your judgment and coordination.