Synthetic cannabinoid and marijuana exposures reported to poison centers

Abstract

Synthetic cannabinoids have recently gained popularity as a recreational drug because they are believed to result in a marijuana-like high. This investigation compared synthetic cannabinoids and marijuana exposures reported to a large statewide poison center system. Synthetic cannabinoid and marijuana exposures reported to Texas poison centers during 2010 were identified. The distribution of exposures to the two agents with respect to various demographic and clinical factors were compared by calculating the rate ratio (RR) of the synthetic cannabinoid and marijuana percentages for each subgroup and 95% confidence interval (CI). The proportion of synthetic cannabinoid and marijuana exposures, respectively, were 87.3% and 46.5% via inhalation (RR 1.88, 95% CI 1.38-2.61), 74.9% and 65.7% in male (RR 1.14, 95% CI 0.87-1.51), 40.2% and 56.6% age ≤ 19 years (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52-0.98), 79.2% and 58.6% occurring at a residence (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.02-1.82), 8.4% and 16.2% managed on-site (RR 0.52. 95% CI 0.28-1.00), and 59.3% and 41.4% with serious medical outcomes (RR 1.43, 95% CI 1.03-2.05). Compared to marijuana, synthetic cannabinoid exposures were more likely to be used through inhalation, to involve adults, to be used at a residence, and to result in serious outcomes.

In Vitro and In Vivo Human Metabolism of Synthetic Cannabinoids FDU-PB-22 and FUB-PB-22

“…Since the mid-2000s, SC are abused due to psychoactive effects (3), which has resulted in increased numbers of emergency room visits due to psychotic episodes, kidney failure, stroke, myocardial infarctions, and even occasional deaths (4)(5)(6)(7).…”

Effects of a new generation synthetic cannabinoid/bonsai on respiratory system

“…Otuz sekiz serilik bir çalışmada 17,3 yaş ortalaması ile adolesan kullanıcıların %91'inin erkek olduğu rapor edilmiştir. [7] Diğer bir çalışma; sentetik kannabinoid kullanıcılarının ortalama yaşını 22,5, %74' ünün de erkek olduğunu saptamıştır. [8] Çalışmamızda en sık görülen semptomlar olan bozulmuş mental durum, ajitasyon ve halüsinasyon kannabinoidlerin santral sinir sistemi üzerine etkilerinden kaynaklanmaktadır.…”

“…Bu reseptör-ler analjezi, bozulmuş motor fonksiyon, bozulmuş hafıza ve zaman algısı ile ilişkilidir. [7,8] Aynı zamanda görsel ve duyusal algıyı da etkilemektedir. [9,10] Sentetik kannabinoidlerin solunum sistemi üzer-ine etkilerini araştıran çok az çalışma vardır.…”

Synthetic cannabinoids in the kidneys

“…A study from the US found renal injury of approximately 0.9% due to SC use. 3 The mechanism of renal injury is not yet clearly defined. 4 Acute tubular necrosis seems to be the leading etiology for AKI among these patients.…”