What Is Synthetic Cannabinoid?

Synthetic cannabinoids are lab-made chemicals that act on the same brain receptors as THC, and NIDA warns that illicit products can cause severe, even life-threatening, health problems. Many are sprayed onto dried plant material and smoked or sold as liquids for vaping. The lack of regulation makes them risky.

People report using these products because they were cheaper, easier to get and mostly missed by routine urine drug screens, NIDA says. Many do not know the products can cause severe side effects.

How Synthetic Cannabinoids Are Made?

Manufacturers create synthetic cannabis by altering chemical formulas to bypass laws. These substances do not come from the cannabis plant. Instead, labs develop synthetic cannabinoid products that bind strongly to brain receptors.

The chemicals are then sprayed onto plant material or dissolved into vape liquids. Unlike regulated products, these mixtures vary in strength and composition. Since recipes constantly change, synthetic marijuana can be unpredictable and dangerous.

How Do Synthetic Cannabinoids Work in the Body?

When consumed, synthetic cannabinoids attach to CB1 receptors in the brain, much like THC but with greater intensity. This overactivation leads to extreme psychoactive effects such as paranoia, hallucinations, and mood swings.

A 2015 review found that synthetic cannabinoids cause more frequent and more severe harmful effects than natural cannabis, especially in young, inexperienced users. Many users experience sudden aggression, confusion, and blackouts. Because the ingredients are unregulated, the same product can act very differently from one use to the next.

Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoids

The effects of synthetic cannabinoids vary widely, often leading to unpredictable and dangerous reactions. Below are some of the most commonly reported effects users experience.

Intense Euphoria

Synthetic marijuana triggers a rapid and intense high. Users experience extreme mood swings and increased energy, which may become uncontrollable. Unlike natural cannabis, the reaction is unpredictable. Some feel excitement, while others face overwhelming distress and agitation.

• Rapid emotional shifts: Users may feel sudden bursts of euphoria followed by anxiety.
• Restlessness and hyperactivity: The intense high can make users excessively energetic and unable to relax.

Hallucinations and Delusions

Psychoactive effects can be severe, leading to distorted reality. Some users experience frightening hallucinations or paranoia, making it hard to distinguish between imagination and reality. In extreme cases, erratic behavior may pose risks to personal safety.

• Visual and auditory hallucinations: Users may see or hear things that are not real.
• Confusion and irrational fear: Many report extreme paranoia or believing they are in danger.

Physical Reactions

Synthetic cannabinoid products can severely impact the body, causing a range of harmful symptoms. Increased blood pressure and abnormal heart rate put individuals at risk of strokes or heart attacks. These physical effects vary depending on the chemical structures used in production.

Risks and Health Concerns

NIDA warns that some of these risks can be life-threatening. Here are the most concerning dangers associated with these substances.

Severe Side Effects

The unregulated nature of synthetic cannabis means that active ingredients vary, leading to unpredictable reactions. Many users experience adverse effects, including breathing difficulties, agitation, or loss of consciousness. The severity of these effects makes synthetic cannabinoids far riskier than natural cannabis.

Mental Health Risks

Frequent use may result in severe anxiety, paranoia, or depression. Some individuals suffer from psychotic episodes that persist even after stopping use. The high potency of synthetic cannabinoids can severely impact brain chemistry.

• Long-term mood disorders: Users may develop anxiety and depression over time.
• Memory and concentration problems: Cognitive functions may decline with prolonged use.

Potential for Addiction

Long-term use of synthetic cannabinoids may cause dependence. When withdrawal occurs, symptoms include extreme cravings, mood disturbance, and irritation.

People who struggle to quit may have a difficult time overcoming emotional and physical adverse effects, which make the addiction hard to conquer. Some users have reported needing more doses to experience similar effects, which increases the risk of overdose.

Legal Status of Synthetic Cannabinoids

Governments worldwide have imposed restrictions on synthetic cannabinoids due to their dangerous effects. However, manufacturers constantly alter their formulas to bypass regulations. In the United States, the DEA keeps placing new synthetic cannabinoids in Schedule I, the most restrictive federal category; a May 2026 rule added CUMYL-PEGACLONE.

Enforcement agencies struggle to keep up with new variants, making regulation difficult. The lack of oversight increases the risks associated with what is synthetic marijuana, as users may unknowingly consume harmful chemicals.

Comparison to Natural Cannabinoids

Illicit synthetic cannabinoids are made in unregulated labs, unlike the FDA-approved lab-made cannabinoids dronabinol and nabilone, which are tested prescription drugs. The illicit versions are often full agonists at the CB1 receptor and more potent than THC. Illicit products have also contained dangerous additives: in 2018, CDC reported an outbreak of severe illness in Illinois linked to synthetic cannabinoids laced with brodifacoum, a rat poison.

In Florida, medical marijuana from licensed treatment centers must be lab tested for potency and contaminants before it is dispensed, and illicit synthetic products have no such testing. The absence of quality control makes them significantly more dangerous.

Recognizing and Avoiding Synthetic Cannabinoids

Spotting them can be difficult, since they are frequently advertised as incense made from herbs and “legal” cannabis alternatives. Packages are often unlabeled or mislabeled.

Consumers should avoid products with unclear ingredient lists or high-intensity effects. The purchase of cannabis from licensed dispensaries minimizes the chance of being exposed to synthetic forms. These products are often marketed as incense, so the label is no guide to what is inside.

Synthetic cannabinoids present serious health risks because of their unpredictability and lack of regulation. In contrast to natural cannabis, they have harmful chemical constituents that may create severe physical and mental reactions. If you or someone you know has severe symptoms after using one of these products, call 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.