New directions in substance abuse: the "Spice" phenomenon
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35954/SM2016.35.2.3Keywords:
Cannabinoids; Receptors, Cannabinoid; Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; Cannabis sativa; Drug Agonism; Hazardous Substances; Substance Abuse DetectionAbstract
Synthetic cannabinoids today comprise an extensive series of compounds obtained from molecules originally developed for scientific research on the endocannabinoid system.
Entering the market as designer drugs under the guise of legality, their effects on human consumption and safety remain poorly understood.
Their number and variety have grown steadily since the first findings in 2008, as well as reports of various toxicities and even fatal outcomes. Considering that Uruguay is no stranger to this situation, as more and more users of synthetic drugs such as Spice or MDMA and other amphetamines appear in the practice, a brief review of the problem is presented. It is important for the general practitioner and emergency physician to be aware of the dangerous consequences that may arise from the greater potency and duration of action of these substances on cannabinoid receptors compared to natural cannabinoids.
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