Synthetic cannabinoids

How are synthetic cannabinoids used?

Synthetic cannabinoids can be smoked in joints, pipes, or bongs, used in e-cigarettes with specially made e-liquids, or ingested through food, drinks, or edible products such as gummies and lollipops.^7,9

The effects are usually felt within minutes and can last anywhere from 1-2 hours, to 5-6 hours depending on the type of synthetic cannabinoid used.^7,10

Effects of synthetic cannabinoids

There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.

Synthetic cannabinoids affect everyone differently, based on:

• size, weight and health
• whether the person is used to taking it
• whether other drugs are taken around the same time
• the amount taken
• the strength of the drug (varies from batch to batch)
• environment (where the drug is taken).

Synthetic cannabinoids can produce many negative and dangerous side effects not caused by cannabis. The effects are often felt sooner and are more intense than the effects of cannabis.¹¹

Because there are so many different synthetic cannabinoids, the effects vary a lot.

The effects of synthetic cannabinoids can include:

• relaxation
• euphoria
• altered perceptions
• altered sense of time
• loss of coordination
• fast and irregular heartbeat
• racing thoughts
• agitation, anxiety and paranoia
• psychosis
• chest pain
• fatigue
• raised blood pressure (hypertension)
• breathing difficulties
• hyperthermia (overheating)
• breakdown of muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis)
• acute kidney injury.^4,6,11,12

Set and Setting: 

Synthetic cannabinoids have varied effects depending on a person’s mood (often called the ‘set’) or the environment they are in (the ‘setting’): 

• Set: a person’s state of mind, previous encounters with psychoactive drugs, and expectations of what’s going to happen. For example, feelings of stress or anxiety before using synthetic cannabinoids can be magnified and result in an unpleasant experience.¹³
• Setting: the environment in which someone consumes synthetic cannabinoids – whether it’s known and familiar, who they’re with, if they’re indoors or outdoors, the type of music and light. For example, using synthetic cannabinoids in a calm, quiet and relaxed environment can lead to a pleasant experience but being in a noisy, crowded place may result in a negative experience.¹³
• Being in a good state of mind, in a safe environment and with trusted friends before taking any drug reduces the risk of having a bad experience.¹⁴

Overdose

If  you take a large amount, or have a strong batch, you could overdose. Some synthetic cannabinoids are extremely strong, meaning you can overdose on a very small amount.⁶

Synthetic cannabinoids can cause death. Call triple zero (000) and request an ambulance if you or someone else has any of the following symptoms (emergency services are there to help and can provide instructions over the phone):

• chest pain or discomfort that may feel like pressure, squeezing, heaviness, or burning. It can also be felt in the arm, shoulder, back, neck, or jaw
• breathing difficulties 
• fast/irregular heart rate 
• psychosis
• seizures
• stroke
• vomiting
• severe hyperthermia (high body temperature)
• delusions or unpredictable behaviour. ^4,6,12,15

Coming down

Some effects of synthetic cannabinoids may last for days or weeks after using the drug.

These include:

• anxiety, 
• hallucinations, 
• insomnia (inability to sleep)
• psychotic episodes.¹⁶

Long-term effects

Long-term use of synthetic cannabinoids has been associated with:

• mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety
• heart disease
• kidney diseases
• insomnia
• problems with thinking and memory.^16-19

Synthetic cannabinoids and mental health

People who use synthetic cannabinoids have a higher risk of experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and long-term use is strongly linked to serious mental health conditions such as schizophrenia.^12,19-21

Synthetic cannabinoids can also cause psychosis in people with and without mental health issues.^12,22,23

Compared to cannabis, the psychotic symptoms associated with synthetic cannabinoids are more severe and can last for weeks following last use.^12,24,25

Because of these risks, people with mental health conditions or a family history of these conditions should avoid using synthetic cannabinoids.

Tolerance and dependence

People who regularly use synthetic cannabinoids can become dependent on the drug. They may feel they need synthetic cannabinoids to go about their normal activities like working, studying and socialising, or just to get through the day.²⁶

Tolerance can also develop, which means they need to take larger amounts of synthetic cannabinoids to get the same effect.²⁶

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.

• Antidepressants: mixing with antidepressant drugs such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) is dangerous and can lead to fever, fast heartbeat, convulsions, organ failure, coma and death.⁹
• Psychedelics: mixing with psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin (magic mushrooms) may increase the risks associated with synthetic cannabinoids. It may increase the likelihood of experiencing anxiety and psychosis.²⁵
• Cocaine, methamphetamine (ice), or MDMA: effects can be particularly dangerous and increase the chance of experiencing anxiety.^9,25

Use of more than one drug or type of drug consumed at the same time is called polydrug use.²⁷

Withdrawal

Giving up synthetic cannabinoids after using them for a long time can be challenging because the body has to get used to functioning without them.

It has been reported that some people who use synthetic cannabinoids on a regular basis, may experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop, including:

• insomnia
• nausea and vomiting
• loss of appetite
• paranoia
• panic attacks
• agitation and irritability
• anxiety
• mood swings
• rapid heartbeat.^16,29,30

Reducing harm

There are ways you can reduce the risk of harm when using synthetic cannabinoids:

• Start low, go slow - try a very small dose first before taking more, it can help you to understand the strength and possible effects. Dose size should only be increased slowly – time should be given for the previous dose to wear off.
• Let a friend know what you’ve taken – so they can help if you’re unwell.
• Avoid using if - you have a mental health condition, epilepsy, or existing heart problems
• Avoid operating machinery, driving or swimming - your judgment and coordination can be impaired.8

Getting Help

If your use of synthetic cannabinoids is affecting your health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other life situations, or you’re concerned about a someone you care about, you can find help and support.

• Call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 for free and confidential advice, information and counselling about alcohol and other drugs.
• Search our Help and Support database directly to find your preferred supports, by adding your location or postcode and filtering by service type.

If you’re looking for other information or support options, send us an email at [email protected]