title: Tripping with Synthetic Cannabinoids ("Spice"): Anecdotal and Experimental Observations in Animals and Man.
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, scientifically based information about potential toxicity and short- and long-term behavioral 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Discovery (CDD), Northeastern University, 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. t.jarbe@neu.edu.
authors.forename: Torbjörn U C
authors.initials: TUC
authors.lastname: Järbe
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Discovery (CDD), Northeastern University, 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Jimit Girish
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Raghav
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000139:chemically induced; D007211:Indoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders
chemical_list: C582337:1-(5-fluoropentyl)-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole; D002186:Cannabinoids; D007211:Indoles; D009281:Naphthalenes; C568258:JWH-073; C552597:1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole
keywords: Cannabinoid; Cannabinoid receptor 1; Marijuana; Synthetic marijuana; THC; ‘Spice’