title: Synthetic cannabinoid and cathinone use among US soldiers.
abstract: New hallucinogenic drugs of abuse, known generically as "spice" and "bath salts," have become readily available in the United States. Spice is one of many names that refers to a variety of synthetic cannabinoids that act on the body in a way similar to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). A large and complex variety of synthetic cannabinoids, most often cannabicyclohexanol, JWH-018, JWH-073, or HU-210, are used in an attempt to avoid the laws that make cannabis illegal, making synthetic cannabis a designer drug. Bath salts, on the other hand, is one of many names for a group of cathinone-containing hallucinogens that produces sympathomimetic effects in its users. Both have become popular among those seeking chemical euphorias with decreased chance of detection. Consequently, both have become a problem for maintaining mentally fit Soldiers, unit readiness, and morale in the US armed forces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Investigation, Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Cristóbal S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Berry-Cabán
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Kleinschmidt
authors.forename: Dinesh S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jenkins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000470:Alkaloids; D002186:Cannabinoids; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D002186:Cannabinoids; D006213:Hallucinogens; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; C023665:cathinone