Historique
Article de Périodique
Spice drugs are more than harmless herbal blends: a review of the pharmacology and toxicology of synthetic cannabinoids (2012)
Auteur(s) :
K. A. SEELY ;
J. LAPOINT ;
J. H. MORAN ;
L. FATTORE
Dans :
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry (Vol.39, n°2, 3 December 2012)
Article en page(s) :
234-243
Sous-type de document :
Revue de la littérature / Literature review
Domaine :
Drogues illicites / Illicit drugs
Langue(s) :
Anglais
Discipline :
PRO (Produits, mode d'action, méthode de dépistage / Substances, action mode, screening methods)
Thésaurus mots-clés
CANNABINOIDES
;
PHARMACOLOGIE
;
TOXICOLOGIE
;
DROGUES DE SYNTHESE
;
ANALYSE CHIMIQUE
;
LEGISLATION
;
PHYSIOLOGIE
;
MECANISME D'ACTION
;
EFFET SECONDAIRE
Résumé :
"K2" and "Spice" drugs (collectively hereafter referred to as Spice) represent a relatively new class of designer drugs that have recently emerged as popular alternatives to marijuana, otherwise characterized as "legal highs". These drugs are readily available on the Internet and sold in many head shops and convenience stores under the disguise of innocuous products like herbal blends, incense, or air fresheners. Although package labels indicate "not for human consumption", the number of intoxicated people presenting to emergency departments is dramatically increasing. The lack of validated and standardized human testing procedures and an endless supply of potential drugs of abuse are primary reasons why researchers find it difficult to fully characterize clinical consequences associated with Spice. While the exact chemical composition and toxicology of Spice remains to be determined, there is mounting evidence identifying several synthetic cannabinoids as causative agents responsible for psychoactive and adverse physical effects. This review provides updates of the legal status of common synthetic cannabinoids detected in Spice and analytical procedures used to test Spice products and human specimens collected under a variety of clinical circumstances. The pharmacological and toxicological consequences of synthetic cannabinoid abuse are also reviewed to provide a future perspective on potential short- and long-term implications.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Synthetic cannabinoids (spice) recently emerged as popular alternatives to marijuana.
• Spice chemical composition and toxicology remains to be determined.
• An update of the legal status of synthetic cannabinoids commonly detected is provided.
• We describe analytical testing procedures for their identification in herbal blends and human specimens.
• The pharmacological and toxicological effects of synthetic cannabinoids are discussed.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Synthetic cannabinoids (spice) recently emerged as popular alternatives to marijuana.
• Spice chemical composition and toxicology remains to be determined.
• An update of the legal status of synthetic cannabinoids commonly detected is provided.
• We describe analytical testing procedures for their identification in herbal blends and human specimens.
• The pharmacological and toxicological effects of synthetic cannabinoids are discussed.
Affiliation :
Arkansas Department of Health, Public Health Laboratory, Little Rock, AR, USA