Psychopathological symptoms associated with synthetic cannabinoid use: a comparison with natural cannabis

Abstract

Background Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are a class of new psychoactive substances that have been rapidly evolving around the world throughout recent years. Many different synthetic cannabinoid analogues are on the consumer market and sold under misleading names, like “spice” or “incense.” A limited number of studies have reported serious health effects associated with SC use. In this study, we compared clinical and subclinical psychopathological symptoms associated with SC use and natural cannabis (NC) use. Methods A convenience sample of 367 NC and SC users was recruited online, including four validated psychometric questionnaires: The Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Altman Mania Scale (Altman), and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). The two groups were compared with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and covariance (ANCOVA), chi 2 tests, and logistic regression when appropriate. Results The SC user group did not differ in age from the NC user group (27.7 years), but contained less females (21% and 30%, respectively). SC users scored higher than NC users on all used psychometric measures, indicating a higher likelihood of drug abuse, sleep problems, (hypo)manic symptoms, and the nine dimensions comprising the BSI, somatization, obsessive-compulsive behavior, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism. Odds ratios (95% CI) for the SC user group vs NC user group were, respectively, drug dependence 3.56 (1.77–7.16), (severe) insomnia 5.01 (2.10–11.92), (hypo-)mania 5.18 (2.04–13.14), and BSI psychopathology 5.21 (2.96–9.17). Discussion This study shows that SC use is associated with increased mental health symptomatology compared to NC use.

Designer drugs: mechanism of action and adverse effects

“…The most common adverse effects of synthetic cannabinoids include agitation, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, hypertension, tachycardia, chest pain, nausea, and vomiting, which typically have a short duration and require only symptomatic or supportive treatment (Forrester 2012a;Forrester et al 2011Forrester et al , 2012Hoyte et al 2012;Law et al 2015;Tait et al 2016). Nevertheless, compared with cannabis, complications that are associated with synthetic cannabinoid use are more frequent and in some cases, more severe (Alipour et al 2019;Bäckberg et al 2017;Mensen et al 2019;Tait et al 2016;. Various severe adverse events that are associated with synthetic cannabinoids have been reported.…”

Cannabinoid Use and Depression: Comparison of Natural and Synthetic Cannabinoids

“…It has been determined that synthetic cannabinoid users experience more anxiety, paranoia and depressive symptoms than natural cannabinoid users [12]. In a study that compared synthetic cannabinoid users and natural cannabinoid users, it was determined that synthetic cannabinoid users reported psychopathological symptoms 3.5 to 5 times more [13].…”

A Review of Cases of Marijuana and Violence

“…Nonetheless, multiple accounts claim that he kept smoking marijuana and started abusing other drugs and alcohol. During his arrest for the Charleston shooting, Roof told police officers that he abused drugs before committing such heinous act [5,25,26].…”

“…Wider public awareness of the risks and side effects of marijuana, as well as a more prudent health policy, and government agency monitoring of the drug's composition, creation, and distribution, are needed and recommended. of cardiovascular diseases, and deterioration in health for individuals who have pre-existing mental health issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, social anxiety, and depression [4][5][6].According to research studies, marijuana use causes aggressive behavior, causes or exacerbates psychosis, and produces paranoia. These effects have been illustrated through case studies of highly publicized incidents and heightened political profiles.These cases contain examples of repeated illustrations of aggression, psychosis and paranoia by marijuana users and intoxication.…”

“…Wider public awareness of the risks and side effects of marijuana, as well as a more prudent health policy, and government agency monitoring of the drug's composition, creation, and distribution, are needed and recommended. of cardiovascular diseases, and deterioration in health for individuals who have pre-existing mental health issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, social anxiety, and depression [4][5][6].…”